Cory James Tattoo Artist

Owner and Founder of Lost Edge

Cory James has been a tattooist for over a dozen years with over 15,000 hours of tattooing experience and is one of the best tattoo artists in Austin. He specializes in black and grey ink hyperrealism, photorealism, and surrealism.

Cory James has been a tattoo artist for 10+ years with over 20,000 hours of tattooing experience and specializes in blackwork ink tattoo styles.

His artistic approach takes your juxtaposed ideas, interprets them through timeless techniques and high-concept art and creates a cohesive idea that fits the contours of the body and completes a legendary story that will last the test of time.

His training is taking inspiration from fine artists from professors at Art Center University; The Rome Workshops, Barcelona Academy of Fine Art and workshops around the world. These efforts elevate his creations into seamless stories … from light to dark, demonstrating mindsets drawing from human nature for inspiration. Mythology and philosophy. This is why clients consider him the best tattoo artist they’ve ever used.

Cory’s lifelong dedication is all in effort to provide trust and peace of mind for his clients to create large-scale tattoo works in a comfortable setting.

Cory James has been a tattoo artist for 10+ years with over 20,000 hours of tattooing experience and specializes in blackwork ink tattoo styles.

His artistic approach takes your juxtaposed ideas, interprets them through timeless techniques and high-concept art and creates a cohesive idea that fits the contours of the body and completes a legendary story that will last the test of time.

His training is taking inspiration from fine artists from professors at Art Center University; The Rome Workshops, Barcelona Academy of Fine Art and workshops around the world. These efforts elevate his creations into seamless stories … from light to dark, demonstrating mindsets drawing from human nature for inspiration. Mythology and philosophy. This is why clients consider him the best tattoo artist they’ve ever used.

Cory’s lifelong dedication is all in effort to provide trust and peace of mind for his clients to create large-scale tattoo works in a comfortable setting.

Cory's Tattoo Gallery

Cory Is Known for More Than Just Tattoo Designs, He’s Also an Entrepreneur

An ink tattoo requires aftercare products specifically designed for proper healing with less pain that doesn’t pull out and “bleed” the inks embedded in your skin.

Vaseline, Aquaphor, Neosporin and most OTC moisturizing balms recommended by other tattoo shops can clog your pores and possibly distort the look of your new tattoo.

Cory James was disappointed with the aftercare options available to his clients, so he decided to create his own brand. Combining his brother’s expertise in herbology and outdoorsmanship with his understanding of healing black ink tattoos, they founded Black Market Aftercare.

Black Market organic tattoo balm is an all-natural aftercare salve that’s hand-crafted in small batches for the highest-grade of purity and potency.

It’s petroleum-free and the base is made with beeswax and olive oil that’s anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-itch. It hydrates and moisturizes your tattoo ink to minimize discomfort and irritation while reducing the risk of bloodborne infection.

Like his clients and the tattoo designs he crafts for them, Cory James isn’t satisfied with subpar results. That’s why he engineered his own aftercare balm for superior healing that protects your tattoo long after you leave Lost Edge studio.

If Cory James Was Your Tattoo Artist…

He would work with you to turn your vision into an intricate piece of art to adorn your body that you’ll be proud to display wherever you go.
Cory’s laid back, relaxed, down-to-earth personality and the constructive atmosphere he cultivates at his tattoo shop helps make getting a tattoo feel comfortable – even if this is your first tattoo – putting you at ease while inviting you into the creative process.

Cory is inspired by the ethos of martial arts like Jiu-Jitsu, where fellow students, teachers, and opponents alike are shown respect and treated as an opportunity for learning. By aligning his creative momentum with yours, you propel each other to higher levels of attainment.

All Cory asks is for you to bring him an idea, a concept, an emotion, or a story that together you can distill down to a breathtaking custom tattoo that remains a lasting expression of the meaning it holds for you.

Book an Appointment to Get Tattooed
by Cory James

Cory James is one of the best black and grey tattoo artists you’ll find in Austin (or anywhere else) who genuinely cares for his clients. If you want to collaborate with him to create a remarkable piece of fine art, he’s ready to discuss your vision.

Appointment only, no walk-ins