One of the best tattoo artists in MilwaukeeMikeDavenport
Pure GoldAKA Pure Gold Tattoos
Award-winning traditional and neotraditional tattoos with bold lines, high contrast, and a touch of texture. A tattoo that's part of you, not just on you. His chair is at Walker's Point Tattoo Co., a tattoo shop just outside downtown Milwaukee.
Michelle Smith, tattooed at a convention in Louisville
The line is loud.The touch is gentle.
Mike Davenport makes tattoos that have to hold up. A tattoo has to read from across a room, move with a body, and still look like itself long after its owner walks out the door. So he works by the old rules: bold lines, high contrast, and a touch of texture.
He learned the old way, through a traditional apprenticeship in Tucson, and came home to Milwaukee, where he was born. If you want to wear his work, his chair is on South 2nd Street.
Bold lines
The outline goes down heavy and sure. It's what keeps a tattoo reading clearly as the years go by.
High contrast
Rich black against open skin and clean color, so the picture comes together at a glance.
A touch of texture
Just enough grain to show a hand was here.
Getting a tattoo
How It Works
Share your idea · Get a quote · Get your link to book
1
Share your idea
Describe it, add up to four pictures, and link anything that inspired it. A picture on your phone is enough.
2
Get a quote
His baseline is $200 an hour. Big pieces may get a set price, and a small traditional piece may skip the hourly minimum.
3
Get your link to book
He never books more than 90 days out, and keeps a cancellation list if you're flexible.
At the chairWalker's Point Tattoo Co. · 712 S 2nd St
Mike Davenport
also known asPure Gold
Mike Davenport, AKA Pure Gold Tattoos, came up the traditional way, apprenticing under experienced tattooers in Tucson, Arizona. Then he moved to the Midwest to keep building the craft.
Walker's Point Tattoo Co. is his home base. He works the Villain Arts Tattoo Convention Circuit, gets invited to guest at shops across the country, and has won numerous best-of-show awards at conventions along the way.
He works from a simple belief: “everyone is entitled to live their lives, express themselves, and be respected.”
Born
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Works
Walker's Point Tattoo Co., 712 S 2nd St, just outside downtown Milwaukee.
Tattoos
Traditional, neotraditional and large-scale Japanese, in color and black and grey.
Honors
Best-of-show awards at conventions across the country.
“Tattoos should be a part of you, seamlessly integrated into your skin and flowing with your body so well, it feels like it's a part of you. Not just a sticker placed on top.”
Mike Davenport
“Mike has the cleanest line work and best shading I’ve seen. The designs he draws up are unbelievable…”
Jak Kedinger · client
“He went to bat to get a design we had on a phone drawn out in his limited time… Line work is outstanding!!”
Michelle Smith · client
Google reviews
Reviews from Mike's tattoo clients
★★★★★4.9 on Google · 228 reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5 on Google, from 228 reviews.
I couldn’t be happier with my tattoo experience! Mike really took the time to really listen to my ideas, offered thoughtful suggestions, and made sure every detail was exactly how I envisioned it.
The level of precision and artistry is incredible—my tattoo came out even better than I imagined. You can tell there’s real passion and talent behind Mike’s work. He also made the whole process comfortable and easy, and checking in to make sure I was doing okay.
If you’re looking for someone who truly cares about their craft and their clients, I highly recommend booking with them. I’ll definitely be coming back for my next piece!
Vanessa VegaGoogle
★★★★★5 out of 5 stars.
Mike Davenport is a true artist, experienced, precise, and creative !
He brought my detailed phoenix + woman piece to life, capturing every small detail, from leaves to flowers, that perfectly showed the emotion I wanted in my tattoo. He knew exactly where to place it, the perfect size, and how to make it flow beautifully; I trusted him 100% from start to finish.
His studio is stunning, spotless, and welcoming, and the whole experience was comfortable with great conversation.
I’m beyond proud to wear this forever and recommend him without hesitation, he’s simply exceptional!
100%
Kayan MalshyGoogle
★★★★★5 out of 5 stars.
10 out of 10 recommend! Mike did a PHENOMENAL job, was super personable, and created an incredibly relaxing environment (which says something when your getting stabbed by a needle hundreds of thousands of times). If I'm in the market for a tattoo, and in Milwaukee, I will only go to Mike from now on!
Ryan CooneyGoogle
★★★★★5 out of 5 stars.
First off I want to say, his line work is impeccable. Since most people check the reviews to get a grasp of an artist’s capabilities let me spare you the time by saying Mike is more than capable. If you want a tattoo, get it done right, get it done by Mike. Aside from his skills he’s also just a very genuine guy. I had a four hour session of pure hell feel like it went by in an instant because Mike was more than willing to spark up conversations. There was little to no time wasted and the piece came out amazing… Thanks again Mike!
Brennan ChapmanGoogle
★★★★★5 out of 5 stars.
My first tattoo of my life was with Mike, and the experience was nothing short of outstanding. I definitely needed some first-timer guidance which Mike was happy to provide. Once in the chair, Mike did the cleanest, coolest, most professional job I could have asked for. I'll be coming back for more.
Matthew GarthwaitGoogle
★★★★★5 out of 5 stars.
Amazing Artist! Highly recommend. Mike will talk with you and work with you. Very attentive and worth every moment (and drive into Milwaukee) Thank you Mike for giving me my memory of my fur baby for the rest of my life! It means more than I can say! ❤️
Amanda GrunderGoogle
★★★★★5 out of 5 stars.
Husband and I wanted matching Loon’s that looked somewhat realistic and a small reflection in water. Mike exceeded our expectations and beyond! We traveled over 5 hours to see him and we were not disappointed! Already looking forward to seeing him again for another matching set!
Heather HinzGoogle
★★★★★5 out of 5 stars.
I have now had multiple large pieces done by Mike. My first large half sleeve was a 6 hour sit and it went very well. The process itself wasn't painful and Mike's personality makes chatting throughout comfortable and makes the time pass faster. a few years later and my tattoo has barely faded and looks great still, the quality and artistry is fantastic. Looking forward to going back for the next part of the current sleeve I am working on.
Daniel MulcahyGoogle
Get started
Start your new tattoo
Stop in
Walker's Point Tattoo Co. 712 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Mike works Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 8 PM.
Mike is usually mid-tattoo, so the best way to work with him is to send your idea first.
Bring what you love. He won't copy someone else's tattoo; he draws yours for your body and the spot it's going.
Come ready
Rested, fed, hydrated, and on time.
Clean
Certified in bloodborne pathogens, with standards that go past what the state requires.
After
Aftercare is kept simple. Often he applies a surgical bandage (Saniderm).
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What are your rates? How much does a tattoo cost?
Every tattoo is different, so rates vary. My baseline is $200 an hour. For something big I may quote a set price instead, and a small traditional piece may not need an hourly minimum.
Share your idea in the form and I'll send you an estimate, or text me the details at (414) 208-1056. Once we're on the same page, I'll send you a link to get on my calendar.
When do you work, and how quickly can I get in?
Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 8 PM. I'm often booked out for weeks, but I keep a cancellation list, and if you're flexible you may get in sooner. I never book more than 90 days out, so you won't wait forever.
Do you have health certifications? How do you keep things clean and safe?
Yes. I'm certified in bloodborne pathogens, and everyone at the shop goes beyond state requirements. I've worked at quite a few shops and done guest spots at dozens. We really are cleaner than most.
What aftercare do you give or recommend?
I keep aftercare simple. I usually put on a surgical bandage (Saniderm) for the first days, unless you're coming back soon for another session. Extra products often aren't needed and can cause problems. I'll make sure you know exactly what to do.
I saw a tattoo I like. Can you give me that tattoo?
It's a good starting point, but I won't copy someone else's work. We'll take what you like about it and draw something custom to you, composed for where it sits on your body. Bring whatever inspiration you have.
I've had bad experiences with other artists. Will you treat me right?
Definitely. Respect and professionalism are at the core of how I work. From the first message to the last session, communication stays open, prompt, and professional. Read what my clients say in their reviews.
How should I prepare, and when should I show up?
Come rested, fed, and hydrated, and skip drinking the night before. Bring whatever keeps you comfortable: headphones, something to watch, a hoodie or blanket, snacks, a friend if it helps.
Show up on time; there's no need to come early. That gives me time to dial in the design before you sit down.
What inks and equipment do you use?
Industry-approved inks and equipment with a long track record. I won't experiment with untested products on clients. My priority is tattoos that look good for life, and I don't cut corners to get there.
Like what you see?
Share your idea, and Mike will turn it into a tattoo you'll be proud of for life.
Walker's Point Tattoo Co.◆712 S 2nd St, Milwaukee◆Tue–Sat, noon to 8 PM
