Paradox Studios & Gallery

I went in not knowing what I wanted. I talked to the girl at the counter who suggested I look through the artist's portfolio's. I did so and then selected an artist based on the style of work in her portfolio. They then made an appointment for me to return at a later date. They absolutely will NOT take anyone off the street to get some cheap tattoo on the spot. The owner (Victor) laughs, offers a crackerjack rub on tattoo and suggests you make an appointment. I like that. It keeps the environment professional and because of that, the place is never full of drunk lowlifes unlike some other tattoo shops I've been in (and consequently turned around and walked out of). When I went home, I thought about the style of the artist, and took some photographs of some vines I really liked. My own plants and flowers in my yard were included in those photos. When I returned for my appointment, I handed the girl the photo's I took and told her I wanted the work done on my foot. She and Victor were very professional when they explained the types of skin on the foot and places where it would work, and places it would not. They also explained why on each location and offered suggestions for alternative locations that might please me. In the end, I opted for the top of my foot from my big toe, across the top of my foot, wrapped around my ankle, and four inches up my calf rather than along the sides of my foot and around back as was my original idea. Kirin (the artist I selected based on the portfolios) did a fabulous job getting in tune with my wants artistically after we talked. My initial appointment was an hour and a half. We did no inkwork that day. We talked about what I wanted, what I liked, and she sketched in her sketchbook. She listened to everything I said and then rendered it in pencil. After we were both happy with the final drawing, she had me make an appointment for the actual tattoo (in two weeks). When I returned she had inked the drawing in her book and was fully ready to do my tattoo. She drew the work onto my skin freehand, thus guaranteeing a 100% unique piece of work instead of "number 42 from the book". She said she loves the artistic freedom of working that way and that it is boring when a shop just offers specific artwork and that's it. I have to say, I agree. I can't imagine doing something as permanent as a tattoo, and then ending up getting something that looks exactly the same as a hundred other people. Once we were both happy with the drawing on my skin and she made all the appropriate corrections, she began mixing ink colors. Then she began the 3 hour tattoo. She worked in shades of green that matched my photographs exactly. The leaves were fully rendered. At one point she asked if I would mind taking a short break. I laughed so hard, I thought she would never ask. Evidently she thought I wanted no breaks and meanwhile, I thought she wanted no breaks! We each enjoyed the ten minute break.  We took another break an hour later. Again, we each enjoyed it. I enjoyed a short reprieve from the searing pain that was becoming my tattoo, and she enjoyed the stretch. Evidently sitting hunched over someones foot for 3 hours is backbreaking work. Ok, neck straining anyway. Once finished, they sent me home with full care instructions in writing, to do's and not to do's and a follow up appointment for two weeks. On my return, she was thrilled with my healing, praised me for following her instructions to the letter. FYI, never lie to your tattoo artist, they are like mom--they know. She then touched up the coloring, emphasized some of the lines and enhanced a couple of the leaves. She reminded me if I had any questions, concerns or problems to call or come by. Over all, it was a very nice experience. I was 37 years old, I have three children. I am NOT the typical tattoo demographic. She treated me with respect and dignity every moment I was there. She also told me she could match the ink colors for a few years if I wanted. After that, she said the dye lots would be different and almost impossible to match. I thought that was good information. If I ever think I might want another tattoo, I will go nowhere else. If I move, I will return here for the work. Kirin is amazing and her ability to get completely in tune with what I wanted was great. It really put me at ease. Now, two years later, I am still in love with my tattoo and it's location.  Oh, and Angie's List main page would not let me enter the url. It said it was wrong, but I checked it three times. It is correct. It's unique, just like their shop. http://www.paradoxstudios.com/paradoxstudios.com/gallery.html