Not shop per say, but individual artist.

1/24/2013 6:05:49 PM

it kind of depends on what you are looking to get

1/24/2013 6:35:55 PM

Most artists are going to specialize in a specific style, especially when it comes to their own original creations or adaptations. You're best bet is to find the best shops, go in and talk with the staff and find an artist you like.

1/24/2013 6:51:54 PM

Yeah, different people are good at different things.

Your best bet is to go to a reputable shop and check out the portfolios of the artists there.

Alternatively, find someone with a tattoo in a style you like and ask them who did it.

1/24/2013 10:59:34 PM

I say Christy at Blue Flame. She's done 2 of mine, her work is beautiful. Also Lacey at Phoenix.

1/25/2013 12:49:57 PM

bttt

Anybody know somebody that is really good with tattooing flowers in the area?

5/20/2013 9:47:51 PM

That savage heads guy tattood my friend about 7 years ago.

It looked good and he was entertaining.

5/21/2013 8:48:17 AM

Mark Van Ness

5/21/2013 3:00:44 PM

Corey Cassell at Buck-a-tattz...great guy great artist

5/21/2013 4:14:56 PM

^^Checked out Oak City's website, unfortunately Mark's stuff doesn't show up but it sounds like he does nice flowers and cover-ups. Neal's gallery was quite impressive too. Anyone else with experience at that shop?

5/22/2013 7:42:02 PM

Quote :

"Corey Cassell at Buck-a-tattz...great guy great artist "

second...

he did one of mine and all 9 of my GF's, kid does fantastic work and he's pretty chill. Decent conversation if you want it, or he'll just sit back do his work at let you sit there.

10/3/2013 3:25:50 AM

10/3/2013 3:25:50 AM

Van Ness opened up a shop in Moore Square by Rum Runners. He was too booked out so we went back to Oak City with Neal and he did an excellent job.

[Edited on October 3, 2013 at 7:31 AM. Reason : ]

10/3/2013 7:29:55 AM

Neal Scoggins at Oak City on Hillsborough has a solid color portfolio http://oakcitytattoos.com/category/tattoos-by-neal-scoggins/

But I think my favorite artist is Lacie from Phoenix, her shit is really clean and her line work is spot on. http://www.phoenixtattoostudio.com/lacie-frain.html

10/3/2013 11:57:30 AM

if you are willing to go to Charlotte, Scott Cole at Uptown Arts is fantastic. he did my side piece and my friend's quarter sleeve. He's light handed so if you're getting it anywhere sensitive (like your ribs) that definitely helps

10/5/2013 12:23:43 AM

What's the consensus these days on reputable places to go and talk to the artists? I want something with no color but it has tons of straight lines and and lots of curved bits that i'd rather not wind up all fucked up. For all I know that shit is easy for these guys, but I know nothing about it and have never had a tattoo

1/4/2014 4:06:25 AM

Everyone wake the hell up and give me info. I want to go today

1/4/2014 5:41:10 AM

This type of decision should be rushed

1/4/2014 8:16:24 AM

hahaha, I didn't say I wanted to get it done today

1/4/2014 9:51:19 AM

Actually you did

1/4/2014 12:26:20 PM

I said I wanted to go - as in talk to them - What I want will require some prep to the design

So...yea

[Edited on January 4, 2014 at 5:50 PM. Reason : ]

1/4/2014 5:49:06 PM

i like impulse tattoos

but you shouldn't get something "important" on the fast/cheap

1/4/2014 5:51:31 PM

highly recommend Lacie Frain from Phoenix in Raleigh, she has a great black and grey portfolio and she has solid linework, shading etc

http://www.phoenixtattoostudio.com/lacie-frain.html

I think anyone from that shop could hook you up, but I have witnessed her work and it is pretty spectacular.

But if you just want to cruise around ask to see their portfolio, ask about anything the artist specializes in (it is always good to find a black and grey specialist if you want a black and grey tattoo), when you go through their portfolio look closely at each of the lines, especially in intricate areas, if you see a shaky line in an area that isnt hard (arm or calf) then you should probably keep shopping. Look at their shading to see how they transition, if it is splotchy... keep shopping.


jaZon,let us know when you figure out what you want and show us!!!

[Edited on January 7, 2014 at 1:36 PM. Reason : .]

1/7/2014 1:31:13 PM

^ Other than Lacie, the other artists aren't that great. I've had 2 friends go to Phoenix and the artists dug too deep and messed up shading on simple tattoos. Lacie is also out of commission, someone's car hit her while she was on her bike

I still push Christie from Blue Flame. She sat down with me for my tattoo and drew out a lot of possibilities before I even came in and decided I wanted a tattoo. (You can see my crow wing in my picture gallery)

1/10/2014 2:53:44 PM

oh damn that sucks about Lacie.

I don't know much about the other artists, so I will remember that for the future.

^and you seriously got that at blue flame??? because that is nice, the photo is not very good. If you could take a close up picture and post it, that would be super cool . It looks pretty solid though, I am surprised because I have seen some shit outta blue flame, they don't put restrictions at all on their apprentices and will let you get a shitty fucking tattoo (well this was 5 years ago to be fair, but my friend got a turrrible tattoo there)

1/10/2014 2:57:37 PM

^Christie is an AMAZING artist. My Hooded Crow's Wing took about 6 hours with about 3 5 minute breaks. I didn't get any weird scarring, scabbing, or shit...

I'll have the boyfriend take a nicer pic of my tattoo later and post it up.

But seriously, Christie has done 2 of my tattoos. I have a really detailed black adn white chicken feather on my wrist (BS in Poultry Science).

Marco at Oak city has done a lot of my "simplier" tattoos...he's great at lettering, but for my big ones it's ALWAYS Christie no question.

1/11/2014 3:13:26 PM