Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival photos from Austin convention

Tattoo artists and enthusiasts gathered in downtown Austin for the 23rd annual Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival at the Palmer Events Center on Friday. The multi-day convention brings together about 350 tattoo artists from across the United States and beyond, giving visitors a chance to watch tattoos being created live, meet artists, and explore a wide range of styles.

Photos from the event capture artists at work, clients receiving fresh ink, and crowds moving through the convention floor as the weekend gets underway. The revival is one of the largest tattoo conventions in Texas and draws thousands of attendees each year.

Organizers expect about 5,000 people to attend the 2026 event, which continues through Sunday. The Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival is part of Austin’s broader creative scene and is one of many things to do in Austin highlighting art, culture, and personal expression.

Darsey Waters, of Atlanta, tattoos Angel Cuevas at the 23rd annual Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival at the Palmer Events Center in Austin on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. The convention features about 350 tattoo artists from around the United States and beyond, with about 5,000 people expected to attend the event, which continues through Sunday. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Larry Keith, of Wichita, Kansas, poses for a photo at the 23rd annual Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival at the Palmer Events Center in Austin on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. Keith, 75, got his first tattoo in 1964 and has tattoos covering nearly all of his body. The convention features about 350 tattoo artists from around the United States and beyond, with about 5,000 people expected to attend the event, which continues through Sunday. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Tattoo artists tattoo clients at the 23rd annual Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival at the Palmer Events Center in Austin on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. The convention features about 350 tattoo artists from around the United States and beyond, with about 5,000 people expected to attend the event, which continues through Sunday. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Jason Ziegler, of Baltimore, Maryland, tattoos a client at the 23rd annual Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival at the Palmer Events Center in Austin on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. The convention features about 350 tattoo artists from around the United States and beyond, with about 5,000 people expected to attend the event, which continues through Sunday. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Sample artwork is on display at the 23rd annual Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival at the Palmer Events Center in Austin on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. The convention features about 350 tattoo artists from around the United States and beyond, with about 5,000 people expected to attend the event, which continues through Sunday. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Mario Guerrero, of Austin, tattoos Aristides Bazan, of Bayoma, Cuba, at the 23rd annual Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival at the Palmer Events Center in Austin on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. The convention features about 350 tattoo artists from around the United States and beyond, with about 5,000 people expected to attend the event, which continues through Sunday. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Ink is for sale at the 23rd annual Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival at the Palmer Events Center in Austin on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. The convention features about 350 tattoo artists from around the United States and beyond, with about 5,000 people expected to attend the event, which continues through Sunday. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Allessandro Pennella, of Milan, Italy, tattoos Elijah Giorgio, of San Antonio, at the 23rd annual Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival at the Palmer Events Center in Austin on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. The convention features about 350 tattoo artists from around the United States and beyond, with about 5,000 people expected to attend the event, which continues through Sunday. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Aldo El Tatuador, of Douglas, Arizona, draws designs at the 23rd annual Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival at the Palmer Events Center in Austin on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. The convention features about 350 tattoo artists from around the United States and beyond, with about 5,000 people expected to attend the event, which continues through Sunday. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Ash Faulk, of Austin, works on a tattoo at the 23rd annual Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival at the Palmer Events Center in Austin on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. The convention features about 350 tattoo artists from around the United States and beyond, with about 5,000 people expected to attend the event, which continues through Sunday. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman