joakim urma Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Maybe this is über nerd/crazy tattoo collector-territory now but lately I've been thinking of the shops where I would like to get tattooed. Not of the tattoos I want to get, the styles I'm interested in or the tattooers that I find inspiring, but the lure of certain iconic shops and those places that have the right vibe, energy or history and so on. I can't really articulate why I get a lot of feelings, thoughts and associations around some shops but... I also started to think of the shops where I have all ready been tattooed and what that gave me. I really enjoy getting tattooed in shops rather than at conventions. I think it adds to the experience a lot and it's also cool to know that you got x tattoo in y shop. In a way it's not too far from people who get a kick out of having seen not only their favorite band, but from the fact that they saw them at CBGBs or Carnegie Hall or wherever it was. Spending time in/getting tattooed in or just walking into some shops have been really powerful experiences, and these are the places where I picked up a lot of knowledge and impressions of tattoo culture and art, where my appreciation for tattoo art grew and I realized some important stuff. I think of the actual tattoo in the skin as the one most physical level, the next more abstract level is the experience of getting the tattoo (and often the ideas and preparations around it), next comes the tattooer that made the tattoo (some people don't care about this, some people are collectors) and even more abstract is getting the tattoo in a certain shop. I can't really say much more than that right now, I'm starting to figure it out still. In the past year I've noticed that I think more and more about the shops. What are your thoughts? (I'll be back shortly with a list of the memorable/legendary/important/awesome/whatever shops that left a strong impression on me when I got tattooed there, and a second list of the shops where I really would like to get tattooed. If these ideas are too subjective or hard to put into words at least this thread can be about the coolest shops we know of, and we can get inspired by eachothers lists) Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Is this shops that actually exist now or can we also talk about historical shops? Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117567 Share on other sites More sharing options...
joakim urma Posted July 13, 2015 Author Share Posted July 13, 2015 @Graeme Knock yourself out man! Maybe that's a separate category, "If only I had a time machine" Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117568 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Okay if we're allowing the use of time machines I am interested in Phil Sparrow and especially how he mentored two of the greatest ever American tattooers, Ed Hardy and Cliff Raven. I imagine there's no real secret there other than that Phil Sparrow was intelligent, curious, worldly, and was involved in worlds far removed from tattooing--I'm not just talking sexually here, either--and so it makes sense that he would mentor people with similar dispositions, but I like understanding where people came from and what their formative influences and experiences were. Isotope 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117569 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlickSquid Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 City of Ink by Miya Bailey and Melvin Todd in Atlanta Georgia Tri-Cities Tattoo by David Morris in Atlanta Georgia Deadly Tattoos - James Tex Yellowblaze by Shige -Japan Illustrated Ink by Gino (Lordgyn) Belizaire in Miami Scared NYC by David Tevenal in New York Skid Row Tattoo by Mister Cartoon in LA Nittis Tattoo Shop by Flaks Nitti in San Diego Gold Rush Tattoo by Tim Hendricks in Costa Mesa, California Yep...that would cover it! Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117571 Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutOfIdeas Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 I think Frith Street has been my favorite place to get tattooed. Physically there wasn't anything that set it above others particularly, but just the feeling and knowledge of the massive talent that has passed through there, and how many world class tattoos have come from there, gave me that special feeling. I would say it would be similar to getting to chuck a ball around at (enter your favorite major sports field) I also got a similar feeling from Blackheart, but didn't get tattooed there (yet) just stopped in and bought a t-shirt. Maybe that is a super fan girlish idea, but whatever, man. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117573 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bongsau Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 PSC Tattoo - Montreal, PQ Timber Tattoo - Nelson, BC Steveston Tattoo - Richmond, BC Smilin' Buddha - Calgary, AB love to get tattoo'd again at Government Street Tattoo in Victoria, BC. That shop had an amazing vibe ! #cancon Graeme 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117582 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 PSC Tattoo - Montreal, PQTimber Tattoo - Nelson, BC Steveston Tattoo - Richmond, BC Smilin' Buddha - Calgary, AB love to get tattoo'd again at Government Street Tattoo in Victoria, BC. That shop had an amazing vibe ! #cancon Whether or not you actually get tattooed at Steveston Tattoo Co.I would highly recommend getting one of their t-shirts if you can. I assumed that I always see tattooers wearing them because they're nice looking shirts and those guys make great tattoos, but I bought one from Ryan Halter at the Quebec convention and it also turns out that it's the most comfortable tattoo shirt I've ever owned. And you know my feelings about PSC. I can't think of a better shop to spend a lot of time in. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117586 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hands On Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 This is just a list of places i'd like to get tattooed. Most likely not all of them are realistic, but a man can dream! This list can basically go on forever, but here's a start, in no particular order: The Leu Family's Family Iron Inksmith & Rogers Seven Doors Absolute Art Smith Street Invisible NYC Yellowblaze Dynamic Temple Skull and Sword Three Tides LTW Into You Rock of Ages Immaculate Time machine shops: China Sea 222 Wherever Horiyoshi II tattooed Realistic On some Pacific Island beach under a palm tree Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117587 Share on other sites More sharing options...
misterJ Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Wherever Horiyoshi II tattooed absolutely I want to have a traditional japanese tattoo experience where I'm being tattooed on a mat on the floor with some master going to work in a smokey shop covered by drawings and pictures and such. I'll add state of grace because I would love my torso done by Horitomo. Better start saving now.... Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117590 Share on other sites More sharing options...
taaarro Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Heaviest spaces that I've gotten tattooed in: - Bob and Charlie Roberts' Spotlight Tattoo in Los Angeles - Horitoshi Studio/Tattoo Dojo in Ikebukuro - Ricky Tattoo in Hong Kong (I think it might be gone now) Heavy spaces that I've been in but haven't gotten tattooed in yet: - Temple Tattoo in Oakland Heavy spaces I'd like to travel back in time to get tattooed in: - Realistic Tattoo - Spotlite Tattoo - Thom Devita's studio in the LES - 222 Hands On, daveborjes, abees and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117592 Share on other sites More sharing options...
polliwog Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Keeping my ambitions modest, but only in a travel (and time-travel) sense. I would like to get tattooed at Congress Street/Hobo's again because it's such a warm and friendly place. I hope to get something from their flash and catch a couple of the people who visit semi-regularly. Last week I met a woman with some really gorgeous tattoos from Redemption in Cambridge, so I definitely need to make an appointment there--just need to figure out who/what/where. I feel a little silly that I've hardly been tattooed in my home state and wonder if the allure of the hard-to-get is just that, for me. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117599 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CABS Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Spotlight. ROA. 222. Atlas. Invisible. Frith Street. Immaculate. EDIT: So Great Lakes is pretty new, but I still would like to get tattooed there. UglyButProud and abees 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117600 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott R Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 Blackheart _/ temple ROA _/ frith st modern classic spotlight abees and UglyButProud 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117607 Share on other sites More sharing options...
joakim urma Posted July 14, 2015 Author Share Posted July 14, 2015 Really interesting to see all these lists, thanks for sharing. Some of these shops I don't know the story of, or don't even recognize the name, so I'm definitely trying to find out some more about those. That @Graeme would kick off with a time machine list was also fun. I don't feel like I know too much about tattoo history to really make a initiated list but here's a short Time Machine List: Thom deVita private studio The Leu Familys Family Iron Ed Hardys first custom only shop Sailor Jerrys shop at Hawaii of course Heavy places where I've been tattooed (Theo Jaks) Infamous Tattoo Smith Street (Rudy Fritsch) Original Classic Maudit Caillou (not legendary yet but it was their first week and the shop has great ambiance) (Mongas) Aloha Tattoo Shops where I would like to get tattooed Into You Tin-Tin Tatouages Horikitsunes private studio Invisible Spiral Tattoo Lifetime Tatuata Three Tides abees 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117616 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun1105 Posted July 15, 2015 Share Posted July 15, 2015 I totally agree that shop>convention. That said, I will be getting my next tattoo at a convention so, yeah. Favorite shops I've been tattooed at: Rock of Ages Pearl Harbor Gift Shop Immaculate Shops where I would like to get tattooed: Black Anvil Tattoo (First shop I visited that I didn't get tattooed at. I vowed someday to return. From the outside you would barely know it's there but inside it's very cool.) Frith St. Great Lakes Spider Murphy's Temple abees 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117626 Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntTudie Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 I would love to get tattooed by Johan Finne' out of Evil Twins. But alas,he is in a different country than me. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117916 Share on other sites More sharing options...
marley mission Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 I think the main shop I am thinking about for upcoming work is Smith St. - I'm in jersey so it'll probably be a reality this fall. I've got pieces coming up in august and Sept already schedule - so I'm thinking October might be a nice time for a sick day :) Shaun1105 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117918 Share on other sites More sharing options...
abeukeveld Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Smith St. Wonna see all that flash. Any of Ed's old shops, especially the real ghetto ones. Doc Forbes' shop. Canadian legend, probabaly would have allot of stuff from Canadian (Maybe even North America) tattooing's inception. Charlie Snow or Fred Baldwin as well. Halo tattoo (NYC) for all that beautiful religious flash and decor. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-117934 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Padji Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 Spider Murphy's top of my list for sure. Blackheart, ROA, Seven Doors are also up there. That list will change next week... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-118056 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synesthesia Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Spider Murphy's, Frith Street, Smith Street, Blackheart, Rock of Ages...the list goes on. Those are kind of unattainable at the moment since I don't have the money or time to travel much. It's a little more realistic for me to aspire to places within a few hours of me, right now. Someday I'd like to drive down the East Coast and maybe hit up Hot Stuff in NC, or Read Street in Baltimore, and Erin Chance and Chelsea Shoneck (both based in VA) are way up there on my list. EDIT: Oh, and the most famous shop I've been to so far has been Tattoo Paradise in DC, which was a fantastic little shop. So much great flash and everyone's portfolio is solid. I would definitely make the trip there again. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6407-where-would-you-like-to-get-tattooed-which-shops/#findComment-118369 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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