Leila Willis Newton

She/Her

I was born and raised in ATX, and did my very first tattoo on my dad, Bart Willis at age ten.

I grew up in tattoo shops and started working summers at Legendary Southside Tattoo from fifteen on. After completing an apprenticeship at 19, I began tattooing full time at Southside.

I enjoy working in a mix of styles thanks to learning under my many mentors in Austin. If there is one thing I would love to tattoo all day every day, its flowers! And critters!

I am trained and certified in the Trauma Conscious Yoga Method, and work to implement trauma aware practices into the tattooing experience, to create a supportive and safe environment for all clients.

I now own a private shop and studio—Ghostdog Tattoo and Anahata Yoga & Healing Arts on the unceded traditional territory of the Haida Nation, and am extremely grateful for this opportunity.

When I’m not tattooing, you can find me on the land teaching Outdoor Education, training in various Martial Arts, or running with my pups and husband.

In addition to working on Haida Gwaii, I travel several times a year—tattooing in Texas, Egypt, and throughout BC. I’ve tattooed lots of things and stuff. So I’m good to go. Come get tattooed. Xo