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Tit For Tat

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Getting a tattoo isn’t a decision you should make lightly. Here’s RVA Mag’s guide to everything from deciding when to get tattooed to figuring out where you should go in Richmond to get the best possible version of the tattoo you want.

A tattoo is a wonderful way to mark your journey, have a keepsake of something memorable, and use your skin as a canvas for beautiful art. If you’ve decided to get a tattoo, you’ll need a great tattoo artist who can bring your ideas to life.

Finding the right tattoo parlor and artist is as important as deciding what you want to have on your skin. That’s why we’re identifying the best places and artists in Richmond, Virginia, who ink some of the most beautiful designs.

Why Get A Tattoo?

An estimated 15 to 38 percent of Americans have some form of permanent body art. They do so to brand themselves with reminders of people and things they love, philosophies or mantras they believe in, as a form of self-expression and rebellion, to have beautiful artwork on their bodies, and even to cover up bodily imperfections.

Getting a tattoo is a personal decision. While there are many reasons to get one, there may also be reasons why it isn’t right for you. Consider the decision carefully.

If you do decide to go ahead with one, you’ll have much to benefit from this guide and list of some of the best tattoo studios in Richmond.

How to Find the Best Tattoo Artist and Tattoo Parlor

Your tattoos stay with you forever. If you care about your skin art, you’ll be meticulously screening tattoo artists who possess exceptional skill and talent for the kind of design you’re looking to have. How do you find the right one?

Factors to Cross-Check:

  • Ask people who’ve gotten a tattoo you admire for recommendations. You can get an idea of how well a tattoo artist works by seeing their healed work in person rather than in a portfolio.
  • Read reviews online and monitor their responses. Ensure they have a positive reputation. You don’t want to work with a tattoo artist who isn’t open to making changes and improvements along the way.
  • Get a consultation for the design you have in mind. You can also ask them any questions you might have about the work you want done.
  • Check how sanitary, safe, and well-maintained the parlor is.

By doing your homework, you’ll stand a greater chance of loving the tattoo you eventually get.

Six Great Tattoo Parlors in Richmond, VA

You might have scoured your area for the best tattoo parlors. Here are six great tattoo parlors to consider when in Richmond. 

#1. Unkindness Art

Bring your deliciously dark and gothic visions to life with Unkindness Art.  The owner, Teresa Sharpe, has over 300,000 followers on Instagram. 

Apart from Teresa, Unkindness Art is home to a group of incredible tattoo artists, all of who are exceptionally good at what they do. You’ll find samples on the Unkindness Art website and links to the different artists’ social media accounts and/or individual websites. Since every artist handles their own bookings and scheduling, you’ll need to get in touch and make appointments directly with the artist you’re interested in.

Unkindness Art’s tattoo parlor offers a great vibe and sound system. They’re open from Monday to Saturday and accept cash, PayPal, and credit/debit cards as payment.

#2. Loose Screw Tattoo

Loose Screw Tattoo is owned by Jesse Smith, an internationally recognized tattoo artist. Loose Screw has some of the best custom tattoo artists in the state. Their ability to breathe life into the most complex artwork is truly phenomenal.

Jesse Smith’s Instagram has over 250,000 followers, indicative of the loyal following he’s been able to amass with his works of art. The studio offers versatile tattoos in new school, black and gray, portraits, color realism, and lettering designs.

Loose Screw Tattoo artists have found national and international fame. They’ve been featured in over 60 magazines and received more than 50 awards for their work.  

#3. Two Pillars Tattoo

Two Pillars Tattoo’s slogan captures its fun and irreverent spirit: “We make great tattoos and are not assholes.” The atmosphere at Two Pillars Tattoo is laid back, with interiors that sport tons of cool art and decor. You can savor the complete tattoo experience here while getting your ink done by experienced and highly skilled tattoo artists.

If it’s your first time getting a tattoo, their website offers great resource articles, a portfolio of images, and links to the artists’ Instagram accounts. They are also home to three artists who create amazing and incredibly detailed designs. You can review the tattoo artist’s portfolio before you schedule a booking. The client reviews on their website speak for the kind of work they do. 

#4. Jason Stephan Tattoo

Jason Stephan is one of the most prominent artists at Loose Screw Tattoo. Well respected for his uniquely beautiful designs, he has over 32,000 Instagram followers and more than 25 years of experience. Jason is known for his animal imagery and detailed art that uses clean and clear lines

Visit his Instagram account to see his masterpieces. He’s available Fridays to Tuesdays between 10 AM and 6 PM.

#5. Amy Black Tattoo

Amy Black began tattooing in 2000. She is a phenomenal talent and founder of the Pink Ink Fund, a nonprofit organization that helps people with post-mastectomy tattoos following breast reconstruction surgery. 

With decades of experience and talent to back her up, Amy Black has successfully recreated areolas and nipples for women who’ve lost them to cancer helping them rebuild self-confidence and regain their sense of femininity. Of course, that’s not all Amy does. She can ink a variety of designs from whimsical to more lifelike depictions, each exceptionally well done. 

Whether it’s through her art or her non-profit initiative, Amy inspires. Never take your life for granted, she says. “Enjoy every moment of it — the good and the bad — and tell the people you care about that you love them every time you can.”

#6. Lucky 13 Tattoo & Piercing

Lucky 13 Tattoo & Piercing has been around for a decade. The artists who work in this parlor are all experienced, licensed, and can pull off a wide range of styles. 

They offer black and grey realism, Japanese, new school styles, and more. You can consult one of their tattoo artists for a one-of-a-kind design if the vast selection of art in their studio isn’t what you’re looking for.

It’s best to book an appointment with them, though they accept walk-ins too. Lucky 13 also sells tattoo aftercare products from their studio at West Broad Street. 

The Takeaway:

If you’ve been thinking about a new tattoo or getting one for the first time, these places and their artists are great ones to consider. Check out the different art styles they do, find one that suits and inspires you, and reach out to the artist for a possible booking. 

These artists and studios are well-known in their own right for the amazing tattoo art they do, the professional and friendly service they provide, and the fantastic atmosphere in their studios. 

By checking out different artists and doing your research, you’re sure to get a tattoo that you’ll be proud of and will cherish your whole life.

Friday the 13th: Tattoo Holiday

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Bad luck turns good inside a tattoo shop. Get behind the scenes of Friday the 13th with Yellow Bird Tattoo and Lucky 13. 

For most people, Friday the 13th is a symbol of bad luck. But for several Richmond tattoo parlors, it’s the most wonderful time of the year: it’s a long standing tradition for many shops to hold Friday the 13th flash sales, providing opportunities for customers to receive specialty tattoos at a discounted rate.

“There’s a lot of preparation that goes into this day,” said Yellow Bird Tattoo apprentice Zac Clark.

PHOTO: Joseph Fessman Tattoo by Arianna Coghill

Since late 2017, Clark has been an apprentice at the shop, learning the ins and outs of tattooing under the parlor’s owner, Joseph Fessman. Fessman first opened the shop in 2016 after the passing of his mentor, Richie Pan.

For Fessman, Friday the 13th provides the perfect opportunity for his artists to showcase their talents and create repeat customers.

“We do things a little bit different. Instead of smaller tattoos for thirteen dollars, we’ll do bigger pieces,” Fessman said. “That way they’re not getting some rinky-dink tattoo. They’re getting something a little nicer and actually come back for another.”

At Yellow Bird Tattoo, the preparation for September’s event began bright and early at 9am. The artists were busy sanitizing, cleaning, and stocking supplies. 

PHOTO: Yellow Bird Tattoo Flash Sheet by Arianna Coghill

“We got it down to a good science last year,” said artist John Setzer. Setzer has been tattooing for over six years and moved to Richmond in 2018.

The morning of Friday, September 13 found a line of 10 to 15 excited customers gathered around the building, all anxiously waiting for Yellow Bird to throw open their doors. Tattoo artist Nicole Mackencie was at Yellow Bird early to get in line for a moth tattoo on her upper arm. She likes Yellow Bird Tattoo because their bold and smooth art differs from her traditional, flowery style.

“Since I’m an artist myself, talking to other artists is interesting,” Mackencie said. “You get to see different styles that you wouldn’t see at a gallery.”

For parlors like Lucky 13, Friday the 13th events are the busiest days of the year. For last month’s flash sale, Lucky 13’s line curled around the building, stretching all the way to North Meadow Street. Flash sale veterans know how intense the wait can be, and arrive as early as 8 am. Customers come prepared with lawn chairs and waters, along with things like playing cards to keep themselves entertained.

Photo by Lucky 13 Tattoo

Denise Johnson, Jaque Williams, and Iyeana Jackson had been waiting in line for over 3 hours to get their tattoos.

“Just relax, be patient and be prepared to wait a minimum of two hours,” was Johnson’s advice to any first timers looking towards Lucky 13 as their flash sale parlor.

These Friday the 13th sales not only are a great bonding activity among friends, but also provide an opportunity for first-timers to receive their first tattoos at a discounted rate.

23-year-old Tiara Williams was one such customer. She researched for weeks before deciding that Yellow Bird’s colorful and graphic tattoo style was what she wanted.

“Going on their website and on their Instagram and seeing all the artists’ individual work, I could see that this was a place with talent,” Williams said.

PHOTO: Joseph Fessman Tattoo by Arianna Coghill

According to Fessman, research is the most important thing when picking a tattoo parlor. Many shops in Richmond specialize in one niche style, and others have various artists who can accompany several different styles.

“Research is the biggest thing you can do,” advised Fessman. “I love walk-ins as much as the next one, but if you’re looking for a specific style of tattoo or a bigger piece, do your research before you come in.”

Richmond will see another Friday the 13th in December, so if you’ve been waiting to take the plunge on a new tattoo, mark your calendar.

Top Photo: Yellow Bird Tattoo

The Raddest Sci-Fi Tattoos in Richmond

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In 2015, Richmond was the third most tattooed city in the country. Over the past few years, over a dozen shops have cropped up along Broad Street and judging from looking around VCU’s campus and basically any bar in Richmond, body art is something that will always be a part of the city’s culture.

With so many well done, beautiful tattoos around me and so many talented artists in a 20-mile range, I was curious what are some of their favorite tattoos. But, since that would probably be a hard one to narrow down, I decided to scale it back to a particular type: science fiction. From Netflix’s “Stranger Things” and “Altered Carbon,” box office hits like “Blade Runner 2049” and the reboot of the “Alien” franchise to HBO’s “Westworld,” the genre has seen a resurgence in the last few years, so one wonders if it has spread into Richmond’s ever-growing tattoo scene. RVA Mag asked five local artists about the best sci-fi tattoos they’ve ever done. And let’s just our findings were “out there.” 

Abel Killian, Lucky 13 Tattoo

“I did a UFO beaming into the brain of a man, and it said that ‘I want to be leaving’,” said Killian. “As a custom drawing, I was just feeling kind of spacey that day. I think there’s a lot of aspects of sci-fi that are neat, you can do a lot with.”

Matt Brotka, Revenant Studio

“This tattoo’s probably about seven or eight years old, now,” said Brotka. “It was a culmination of a lot of things. Stylistically, why I was first interested in the tattoo world in the nineties, and bringing it to today with such matter of a movie and something I could physically pull off as a tattoo.”

Erin Chance, Unkindness Art

“We started it four years ago and [my client and I] still haven’t finished it because we both have very busy schedules,” said Chance. “It’s a neck to knee back piece of this cyber woman hiding behind a brick wall while Cthulu destroys a city around it. We’re getting really close to being done with it, but it’s not quite done.”

Teresa Sharpe, Unkindness Art

“I think the one that really changed the game and got me doing more space-related tattoos was the space sleeve with pixels on the hand,” said Sharpe. “[My client] just wanted space-themed, so it allowed me to really take control and create something fun.”

Chris Jenkins, Loose Screw Tattoo

“My favorite sci-fi piece that I’ve done is Rick Sanchez [of Rick and Morty],” said Jenkins. “It’s just fun. I think that show sends a ‘grand scheme’ message. It’s funny, but it’s also heavy.”

This was just a small fraction of the undeniable art walking up and down the streets of the River City. As more tattoos start steering away from more traditional art and toward more pop culture based work, it is only time before Sailor Moon and Princess Leia become the new pin-up tattoos of yore.

Amidst A Growing Number Of RVA Tattoo Shops, Lucky 13 Stands Out

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Over the past few years, over a dozen tattoo shops have cropped up throughout the growing Broad Street pocket and its surrounding areas — from high-end boutique shops to budget tattoo joints, members of the Richmond tattoo scene are increasingly rubbing elbows.

You might expect that all this competition would be bad for business, but Lucky 13 Tattoo Shop, the largest tattoo shop in Richmond, has been more than successful at keeping its head above water. The secret? Good service, fair prices and humility.

Tattoo by Dana Carlson

“Things haven’t really changed over the past 15 years,” Brad Buehrle, owner of Lucky 13, said. “We were busy back then, and we’re busy now. We just treat people good and give them fair prices, and they just come back over and over again.”

Buehrle’s dedication to customer service is maintained by his staff. Many of the artists he works with today have worked at Lucky 13 since the day it opened its doors in 2003.

Dana Carlson, a tattoo artist, has worked with Lucky 13 for three years. “We’re a big shop with a lot of personalities,” she said. “It can be a very loud, vibrant environment at times — you can always expect witty banter and good music. We pair clients with artists not only by style preference, but also by personality.

“It’s important to be comfortable while getting a tattoo — you are so close to your artist in that moment. We offer really great customer service. You’re going to get a little bit of sarcasm, some spunk, and we’re going to put you with somebody who’s going to deliver what you want.”

By Dana Carlson

Luxury tattoo shops may be growing in popularity, but Lucky 13’s goals remain the same.

“Something special about Richmond is that we have these incredible, high-end boutique tattoo shops where you walk in and spend $1800 on a tattoo,” Carlson said. “But there are also really good, quality artists at lower price points. You can still get a good tattoo, and great customer service for just 100 bucks.”

Originally from California, Buehrle opened his shop with a mission to spread good vibes throughout the tattoo scene, and keep things new and vibrant.

“Back 10, 15 years ago, everyone who walked into a tattoo shop had a shitty attitude,” Buehrle said. “I wanted my tattoo shop to have good vibes, and for people to have fun. Richmond isn’t quite as diverse as California, but it’s a great city. What brought me here is that everyone was tattooing the exact same stuff, and I wanted to change that. We’re all working towards getting there, and we’re having a good time.“

Buehrle has tattooed all around the world, but he remains humble.

“I’ve tattooed around the world, three or four times, and it’s all the same,” he said. “I wouldn’t say Richmond has a better or worse tattoo scene than other cities. At the end of the day, I’m just a tattoo artist.”

According to Buehrle, his staff consists of a variety of tattoo artists and showcases many talents. From portrait artists to colorists to those who have studied traditional japanese tattooing, Lucky 13 prides itself on its versatility.

Tattoo by Brad Buehrle

“You can get a traditional tattoo, or one of the little pinterest tattoos that you bring in off the internet,” Carlson said. “We have a lot of choices. There’s somebody for everybody.”

With regular clients, new clients and those who come from all over the country to get a tattoo at Lucky 13, the staff has seen its fair share of odd, and meaningful requests.

“I did a decapitated Hello Kitty, with its guts hanging out, on a lady’s foot once,” Buehrle said. “I’ve been doing this shit for 25 years, I’ve seen it all.”

Carlson emphasized, however, that as a tattoo artist she tries not to interfere with other people’s ideas, even if the meaning of a tattoo may not be clear to her.

“It’s not our job to tell people what to get on their bodies,” she said. “It’s our job to educate them about their ideas, so that the tattoos can last longer and look professional. Essentially, our job is to make people happy. Sometimes people come in with really off the wall ideas, and it’s our job to make it work.”

When I asked Buehrle what the most meaningful tattoo he’d drawn was, he was hesitant to choose one. Eventually, he told me about an 87-year-old lady who comes into the shop every year on her birthday to get a new tattoo.

“This little 87-year-old lady came in and got the same tattoo her husband had gotten during World War II,” he said. “He had died. She wanted the same tattoo of a hula girl he’d had, and I managed to find the original drawing of his tattoo. She’s got about five or six tattoos now.”