Nick Crawford
IllustrativeAmerican TraditionalColor
@costlymistake Specializing in American-Traditional tattoos, Nick keeps that classic traditional look without veering away from that timeless style.
Kurt (Tatzilla)
Kurt (Tatzilla)
Kurt builds bold Japanese and American Traditional tattoos that respect tradition and stand the test of time. He's equally skilled in fine line, black & grey, geometric, lettering, cover-ups, and repairs. Outside the shop, Kurt builds custom tattoo machines and paints large-scale Japanese tattoo traditions using watercolor and ink. He loves to be outdoors surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding and hiking with his dog Bruno.
Meet Kurt (Tatzilla)
Rooted in Tradition, Fueled by Passion
After tattooing for 25 years, Japanese and American Traditional are where I’m most passionate, but I'm experienced across all styles: fine line, geometric, black and grey, lettering, tribal, watercolor, cover-ups, repairs - whatever you need done right.
These days when I'm not at Golden Child, you'll find me guest spotting, from Maui and Kauai, up through Northern California, Chicago, the Southwest. I also paint large-scale watercolor and ink art inspired by the Japanese traditions I study. It keeps my eye sharp and my hand steady. I build custom tattoo machines when I need to problem-solve with my hands.
I approach every session calmly and collaboratively. Whether we're starting fresh or fixing a piece that needs new life, I want to nail exactly what you're going for. Outside the shop, I'm in the mountains snowboarding, fishing, camping and hiking with my dog Bruno. Living ant the beach here in San Diego for decades I also love to surf, skateboard and enjoy the water as much as possible. Nature reminds me that everything ages with character, and I bring that respect into every tattoo I do.
- Kurt
★★★★★
Katelyn was great. As a tattoo newbie I didn't know what to expect. For my little tattoo I was scared of the potential pain. Katelyn was very patient and she tattooed a…
★★★★★
I've had 2 tattoos from Kurt so far and plan on going back for more. His almost 30 years of experience was reassuring throughout the entire process. Zion up front is…
★★★★★
Katherine Parada is the absolute best! I've had 4 sessions with her in as many months, and have brought several family and friends back with me. We all LOVE the pieces…
★★★★★
I've gotten 2 piercings from Birdie and both experiences were fantastic. Looking forward to potentially getting a tattoo from someone here in the near future, next!
The Rest of Our tattoo Artist Crew
Katherine Parada
Fine LineBlack & GrayIllustrative
@kat_parmu Specializing in micro-realism, fine line, graphic, and geometric styles, Katherine Parada blends technical precision with artistic flair to create meaningful, detailed tattoos.
Kristine
@krist.inktattooEscondido linework artist Kristine creates custom mandalas and graceful organic florals with eco-inks and a calm, client-first vibe.
Mathias Moretti
@mgmoretti_San Diego native Mathias crafts bright, bold Americana color pieces, drawing 90s punk energy into collaborative, fun sessions.
Melissa
IllustrativeMinimalistFine Line
@linesbymelissa Valley Center’s Melissa inks expressive linework and dainty fineline tattoos, blending bold ideas with feather light detail for collectors.
Brandon Castillo AKA Sixer
Black & GrayIllustrativeScript & Lettering
@sixer.one Shop owner Sixer is a versatile artist tattooing in a range of styles, with crisp, clean lines, saturated blacks and colors to create contrast throughout his work.
Sloe Rivera
Black & GrayMicro-Realism
@_sloejamz_ A top Escondido tattoo artist, Slo specializes in black and gray realism, portraits, and custom lettering with availability for new clients.
Stephen Carballo
Fine LineMicro-RealismMinimalist
@thelosangelesriver Stephen Carballo is a traveling fine line and micro-realism tattoo artist with over 20 years of experience — tattooing at Golden Child most weekdays when not on the road.
Katelyn Alvarado
IllustrativeBlack & GrayFine Line
@epic_avacado Specializing in fine line, black and grey, and bold color tattoos, Katelyn Alvarado creates personalized, meaningful designs, including botanical themes, critters, and custom pet portraits.
Olivia Thompson
Black & GrayFloralRealism
@artdispoo A Southern California artist working in black and grey and color realism and surrealism, with a love for bold color and fine line. Olivia crafts portraits, florals, animals, and large-scale black and grey pieces her clients carry with purpose for life.
Trish Westbrook
ColorIllustrativeNeo-Traditional
@tattoo_trish A versatile tattoo artist with a signature pop of color across many styles. Trish listens to the meaning behind each piece, designs it to last, and keeps every client comfortable from start to finish.
Ready to book with Kurt ?
Questions answered. Aftercare handled. All that's left is booking your appointment.
- 4.9 Google rating
- 849 reviews
- Award-winning shop
Find Us
So We Can Help Find The New You 🤘
Golden Child505 W Washington Ave,
Escondido, CA 92025 get directions info@goldenchildtattoo.com @goldenchildtattoo on Instagram