There are many tattoo shops in Duluth, but how many talented traditional tattoo artists with exceptional traditional tattoos are located at the top of Duluth’s coziest coffee shop, Dovetail Cafe?
I’ll bet your smoothest Lake Superior skipping rock that that list comes up with just one tattoo shop — by the name of Voyageur Tattoo Co. This tattoo shop brings a whole new vibe to the tattoo experience. One that’s filled with diversity, welcoming open doors, comfortableness, and of course incredibly talented tattoo artists.
I had the privilege of talking with the owners and talented artists of Voyageur Tattoo Co, Kyle and Charlie James, about the beginnings of this tattoo vision and their artistic journeys. You’re in for an inspiring treat!
“I’ve had multiple tattoos from both Kyle and Joseph and they are truly top notch.
– Griffin H ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Their artistic ability, attention to detail, and welcoming atmosphere created an excellent tattoo experience. They are some of my best tattoos, and I’ll certainly be a customer for life! (or until I run out of room)”
Discovering Voyageur Tattoo Co | Q&A
Every journey has its beginning, and in this section, you’ll be able to see the artistic start of Voyageur Tattoo through the thoughtful words of Kyle James. Then hang on for some more remarkable answers to artistically curious questions as we hear from Kyle and Charlie.
With every tattoo shop I’ve been to, there’s an undertone vibe, a culture if you will. What would you say is the culture of Voyageur Tattoo Co?
The culture here is a friendly, fun, curious and adventurous feel. We curate the items and artwork in the shop with certain colors and feelings in mind.
We try to keep lights low and colors inviting and calming for the clients who are generally a little nervous to begin with.
The easier we can make that experience for them, the better.
Voyageur Tattoo Co. has an adventurous, wanderlust-like feel. It’s attention-grabbing and makes me want to book an appointment ASAP! How did the shop’s name and aesthetic come about?
Voyageur is named after Minnesota’s only National park. Charlie was born and lived near the park and spend many summers swimming the lakes, picking blueberries on the islands, fishing and canoeing its waters, and spending lots of time with her family in the unabashed wilderness. They even owned a cabin within the park that’s still there, but was eventually absorbed back into the park.
National parks are very important to us both and we spend a lot of our time in them. We tried to bring a part of that into the studio with us, with Taxidermy and paintings of some of our favorite spots.
Natural light streams in through the skylights and makes it feel like you might be under the canopy of a conifer forest.
Are there any tattooing or tattoo shop misconceptions that you’d like to debunk, or perhaps tattoo shop etiquette that you’d like to address?
We’re not scary, we promise.
Even though our hands and necks are tattooed, we’re very gentle, friendly souls that love making art.
As far as etiquette goes, arrive on time, be clean, not smelly, and please be respectful of our art and our time. Being nice goes a long way, and please tip your artist if you can.
What’s in store for Voyageur Tattoo Co.’s future? Are there any events or news you’d like to share?
We’re very comfortable where we’re at and have no plans on moving or changing anything major.
We’re always adding art, making improvements here and there, but nothing major coming down the pipe.
We love our neighborhood and our lovely cafe that’s downstairs.
Q&A With Kyle James at Voyageur Tattoo
It’s incredibly valuable to have people in our lives who believe in us and our talents; as someone who had an enriching relationship with their art teacher in school, is there something that they told you that still rings in your ears today?
The most important thing I learned from my art teacher is the value of hard work and dedication to a project, not being afraid to fail at something new and exploring new and weird ways to create art that aren’t conventional.
The American Traditional style is iconic, to say the least; what drew you to this style in particular, and why is it your main focus?
American traditional has that bold, clean style the same way bold design draws your eye. I studied graphic design in college and the simplicity of the best designs is reflected in this style of tattooing. Taking away as many elements as possible while still conveying what it needs to.
As an artist transcending beyond the ‘typical’ canvas, you also enjoy woodworking and blacksmithing! Do you notice any techniques or mind frames that are in common amongst tattooing, woodworking, and blacksmithing?
All of my hobbies outside of tattooing are rooted in old ways.
New techniques might be more efficient, faster, but they’re not always better. The experience of hand planing a slab of cedar, or cutting dovetails into a perfectly straight edge is quiet, you can hear the fibers of the wood being cut or peeled away as you work.
This is a very reflective and spiritual feeling for me, and when I get to work on beautiful art on some amazing friends and clients I get that same peaceful feeling.
When asked about your most rewarding or challenging tattooing experience, is there a specific tattoo that comes to mind?
Large scale work is always a challenge, between designing the elements, laying them out, figuring out the shape of the body part to match and then executing all of those elements on an actual human body is extremely difficult and rewarding at the same time.
Anything worth doing has an element of difficulty.
Q&A With Charlie James at Voyageur Tattoo
I noticed that painting is mentioned in your ‘About Us’ section on the Voyageur Tattoo Co. website, are there other artistic mediums that you enjoy! Do you find that elements and skills of each one bleed into the others?
I have enjoyed drawing and painting, typically acrylic painting, since I was a child. I’ve also always enjoyed writing and over the years have dabbled in jewelry making.
As life has changed, I find myself doing more art with my daughter, like coloring, kids project/art kits and some collage work like when we made our 2024 “Dream boards” for New Years.
It has been fun to get back into some of those versions of art that I probably wouldn’t have done again if not for having a kid in the home. It’s a good reminder to enjoy my art and that art doesn’t have to be sellable or “advanced” to be meaningful in my life.
What is something from your apprenticeship that you’re grateful you learned, and what would you have told yourself before diving in?
That simple doesn’t mean easy. I use to over-design or add too many elements to my art, whether that was tattoo designs or other art mediums.
I thought by adding more textures or details, it meant it was better. While learning to refine my tattoo designs, I came to understand that there is a lot more skill in knowing how to portray the subject matter in a way that is clear, readable and will age better on the skin.
Something I would tell anybody before diving into a career in tattooing, is that it is a lot more than being a good artist.
Interpersonal skills, being self-driven/motivated and organized are just as important in being successful. You also have to put your ego aside. There’s a lot to learn from those around you and always ways to improve your craft.
Is there a tattooing style that you’re interested in honing in on in the future?
I’m approaching my 4th year of tattooing and have found myself being most excited about American Traditional. There’s something about the timelessness of the designs and how well they hold up over time if done well. When drawing designs or painting, I find myself most inspired by nature. Floral, animals and other plants are what I tend to draw the most.
What has been one of your most memorable tattooing experiences?
I have had the opportunity to tattoo many cool subject matters or check off many of those classic trad designs but the times that stick out as the most memorable are the connections I have made with the clients.
I had a client that use to be a social worker and was currently a foster parent, like myself and the conversations we would dive into came at a time that I needed that. They were deep, personal and
more like a therapy session for the both of us.That’s not the only time someone I have just met at the beginning of a session has become a friend or someone where we talk like we’ve known each other for a long time.
Kyle and I have stayed at client-that-have-becomes-friends’ cabins and have made many great memories over the years outside of tattooing with all sorts of folks we wouldn’t have met otherwise.
Meet Kyle & Charlie James
If that thoughtful and inspiring set of Q&As above weren’t enough for your tattoo shops in Duluth fill, put faces to the names of these talented artists, Kyle and Charlie James!
Below is a video presented by Voyageur Tattoo Co., and if you’d prefer a written transcript version we’ve got you covered with the complete transcript below.
Video Transcript:
Meet Kyle | A Lifelong Love for Art
Hi, I’m Kyle James, a tattoo artist in Duluth, Minnesota. From a young age, I was encouraged to draw—so much so that I was scribbling on paper before I could even walk or talk. Art was a constant presence in my life, with family and friends always gifting me art sets and kits for birthdays and holidays. It just became a natural part of who I am.
In high school, I was fortunate enough to have an art teacher who really believed in me. Kyle Clemons, my teacher, went above and beyond to ensure my success as an artist. He even dedicated his entire art budget to get me the supplies I needed. Honestly, I wouldn’t be where I am today without his support. My mom is also incredibly artistic—she’s amazing at drawing and painting. Sometimes, I think she’s even better than me!
Meet Charlie
My fiancée, Charlie, is not only my life partner but also my apprentice at Benchmark Tattoo. When we first considered working together, we knew we could handle being in the shop together, but there was a question of whether we could make it work with me as her boss and mentor. It’s a different dynamic, and we had to learn a lot about communication.
Through the apprenticeship, we’ve grown as both partners and colleagues. Not only do we work together at the shop, but we’ve also tackled numerous projects around our home, like remodeling. We have a great working relationship, and honestly, we’re together pretty much 24/7—and we love it. We don’t get tired of each other at all.
Our love story actually started on Tinder. I wasn’t actively using the app, but my sister convinced me to check it out one day. Charlie was the first person who came up, and my sister pointed him out, saying, “Charlie, look at this guy and his cute dog—he’s perfect for you!” As it turns out, he swiped up—my super like.
Our first date? A bit of a disaster. But even after all the mishaps, we both walked away liking each other, and the rest is history.
Meet the Animals
Our home wouldn’t be complete without our furry (and feathery) companions. We have three dogs—two Springer Spaniels and a Cocker Spaniel-Poodle mix. The smallest one might not look tough, but don’t let that fool you—she can be pretty mean!
We also have around 20 chickens outside, along with another 20 to 25 chicks upstairs in the brooder. When we bought this place, it just felt right to expand our little farm. With a bit of acreage, it made sense to bring in some animals. We started with goats, including Stella, an older goat I bought back in high school. She came from my parents’ house and has been with me for years.
Hobbies Beyond Tattooing
While tattooing is my passion, I have a few other hobbies that keep me busy. Woodworking is a close second, and I’m also really into blacksmithing. My workshop is filled with more reclaimed steel than I know what to do with—people are always giving me their scrap metal. And honestly, I’m not complaining; it keeps me inspired and ready for my next project.
Wrapping Up
That’s a little glimpse into my world—where art, love, and creativity come together. From tattooing and woodworking to sharing life with Charlie and our animals, I’m grateful for every part of this journey.
Where is Voyageur Tattoo?
Voyageur Tattoo Co. is located upstairs in the wonderfully cozy Dovetail Cafe in Duluth, Minnesota!
What’s that? Unique Tattoo Shops in Duluth right inside of a coffee shop? Um, YES PLEASE. Whether you want to get a celebratory drink after your appointment or daydream about tattoo possibilities, Dovetail Cafe houses not only Voyageur Tattoo and other Duluth Folk School classrooms but also its own roaster named Almanac Coffee. The vibe of art, both in the form of traditional tattoos and latte foam, roasting coffee beans, and gathering is as welcoming, inspiring, and cozy as it sounds.
Interested in learning how you can book a tattoo appointment through Voyageur Tattoo? Keep reading!
1917 W Superior St, Duluth, MN 55806
How Do I Make A Tattoo Appointment at Voyageur Tattoo?
Has the tattoo bug nestled its way in? Now you can put the daydreaming into action and book an appointment with the incredible traditional tattoo artists at Voyageur Tattoo! I’ll walk you through these easy steps to booking an appointment with Voyageur Tattoo.
Simply go to their website and click on the ‘Book an Appointment‘ tab at the top of the screen.
Next, you can read through each of the artist’s styles by clicking the ‘Book an Appointment’ button underneath their picture and see which one would be the best fit for you. Remember to read their details thoroughly; if you want a certain style of tattoo it’s in your best interest to make sure you find an artist who compliments that.
Lastly, you’ll want to fill out the questionnaire with the appropriate information and describe your tattoo idea in as much detail as possible. Pretty easy-peasy, right? Voyageur Tattoo is all about providing a positive experience for both you and the artist; you’re in good and talented hands!
What Should I Do for Tattoo Aftercare?
Being properly informed about Tattoo Aftercare is vital for both the longevity of your tattoo and your safety.
What better place to receive that information than Voyageur Tattoo? This information is provided on their website underneath the ‘Aftercare‘ tab.
It’s also stated that paper instructions will be provided at the appointment, and if there is a medical concern during your healing process getting in touch with your Doctor is recommended. But, if you have any questions regarding the tattoo in a non-medical manner, calling your tattoo artist is encouraged.
- Remove bandage after a minimum of 2-4 hours. Bandage can be left on overnight if the tattoo was done later in the day.
- Gently wash your new tattoo with warm to hot water and non-scented antibacterial soap, then rinse with cool water.
- Pat dry with a clean paper towel and let air dry.
- Repeat steps 2 & 3 for the first two-three days. Day three proceed to steps 5 & 6.
- Place a small amount of ointment (I recommend Hustle Butter or Organic Coconut Oil) in your fingertips and gently work the ointment into the tattoo. note: please ONLY use approved aftercare
- Please continue steps for approximately 2 weeks, washing twice a day and applying aftercare ointment 2-3 times a day.
Voyageur Tattoo is one of the most unique tattoo shops in Duluth and most definitely worth the visit to Dovetail Cafe to pop in and check it out for yourself. You can keep up with all the news of Voyageur Tattoo by following them on Facebook and Instagram, plus you may see some pretty dope tattoos that give you some tat inspiration!
While you’re there, you can follow On Lake Superior on Facebook and Instagram to continue seeing all the beauty that being on Lake Superior has to offer. We have loved seeing this community of Lake Superior lovers grow, and we can’t wait to see it continue to flourish!
