Dave Hartman is an amazing artist. I get compliments on my tattoos all the time. Also, he has a light touch. I didn't know that my old artists didn't have a light touch until I went to Dave. I'm not going to say it's painless, but it's less pain. Also Dave is a great guy and fun to talk to so the hours go by quickly.
Review Source:Aaaaahhhhhhh where to start on how amazing paula and dave are!?! Every time i walk in they are soo welcoming and nice!!! Paula has the touch of a baby angrl riding a majestic unicorn. She popped my cherry tattooing my hand and it was such a pleasure she just cruised and made it AWESOMEEE!!! Anytime my friends ask for a place to get some ink done big fish is the to go place!!!!
Review Source:I had my 1st small tattoo done at another well known shop and didn't know what to ask for or what to expect and it was kind of a wham bam thank you mam kind of experience and I all but hated the tattoo. Fortunately, I found Big Fish Tattoo and after researching a bit decided to try them. I was introduced to Alicia and was instantly at ease. We talked about what I wanted and made the appointment for 2 days later. I arrived on time and Alicia greeted me with a welcoming smile. She showed me the designs and I was happy with them. Alicia spent almost an hour making sure the design was just exactly what I wanted before she started actually tattooing. She was super patient with me and when it came to the actual tattoo, she had a light hand and it was so much easier than the 1st time (at the other place)
It took me years ( a lot of years) to finally brave a tattoo and now I am excited to start thinking about a 2nd! Alicia was not only a talented artist but she was kind, understanding, sweet and patient. I would recommend her any day! I met the other artists and they were equally nice. The shop was very clean and comfortable too!
Thank you for a great overall experience!
This is the place to get your work done. A very professional shop with fair prices, good artists, and a great atmosphere. Dave has been tattooing me for about seven years now, he has always been great at taking a vision and making it come to life. Plus if your lucky he will sing to you during your session.
Review Source:Ok, first off.. I didn't get the tattoo, the bf did and since I don't think he'll write a review I took it upon myself to do so. I was there for all of his first session so I'll only review what I can. Â I was kinda iffy at first because after looking at their work online, I noticed that they didn't do that much lettering. We checked them out anyways + were impressed to find that they indeed to lettering, it just wasn't online.
Dave did the bf's lettering tattoos + he was unbelievably patient throughout the entire process. He rendered a couple of sketches and offered his advice on placement of the tattoo, the size, and what kind of font should be used.
As for the actual work, Dave took his time getting every single line sharp. He definitely is a perfectionist. The BF is completely happy with his tattoo + Dave's design input. I like looking at it too, so 5 stars!
Prices are reasonable + they have a gallery of their work on their website, so check out their website.
Seriously, how does this place only have 9 reviews??? I loved everything about it. I contacted Big Fish via email on Thursday night to see if there were any available appointments the following day. Dave got right back to me and I got a 2:30 appointment with Alicia. I reviewed her portfolio on Facebook and it looked awesome, so forward we went. I ended up getting 2 tattoos!! I love them both and the price was great! Alicia is young and new to Big Fish, but she is a good artist with a steady hand. Everyone at the shop was super nice and professional. No crazy egos. This place is definitely going places!
Review Source:Big Fish gets 5+ stars from me. About three weeks ago I scored an appointment with Paula to do a custom Sea Turtle back piece. I showed her a vaguely drawn sketch I had created over the last year and the research I'd done about the specific shell designs I wanted. She was able to take my scribbles and turn it in to a flowing piece of art. When I arrived  for my appointment she showed me the design and discussed coloring, she then did some additional research on the specific coloring of the species of turtles I wanted and double check my coloring with me again, once we were ready to start the needle work she transferred the design to my back and had me double check the design and placement again. I was VERY impressed with the work she put into my design and how considerate and informative she was when it came to placement and choosing colors that would work well with my skin tone the longest.
The atmosphere is laid back, modern and professional. The prices are fair for the high level of skill you are employing for your piece. I would defiantly recommend this place to anyone considering a tattoo, especially if you are wanting a show stopping custom piece.
Went to this place today to get a tattoo on my arm and it's amazing. Paula was my artist and she did an amazing job...she was very calm, friendly, and detail oriented. She double checked my tattoo a few times. I hate going to places that were pretentious and this place was really nice.
It's a small place off the 101 in Solana Beach and it was so clean and modern. She even was able to do a tattoo for my friend without an appointment. She really focused on telling us what would last for a long period of time and what would look crappy later. You can tell she was passionate about what she did instead of just trying to make a buck.
Thanks Paula and Big Fish!!!
Skilled craftsmen devoted to giving you the absolute best in what you desire! Dave runs his shop like the true professional he is, and he and his staff treat all current & potential customers with nothing but respect! Paula did both of my sleeves and in doing so successfully covered up some shoddy work I got started on at another place about 7 years ago. I highly recommend Big Fish Tattoo and insist that you make them your number one choice!!
Review Source:Found the shop on Yelp and after checking Dave's portfolio and meeting with him I was sold. 10 hours of tattooing later, I couldn't be happier with my piece and will continue to come to Big Fish even with my 90 mile drive each-way. Shop is very sterile and dope and everyone working here is cool and friendly.
Review Source:If you live in So Cal, and are looking to get tattoo'd this is the premier place! Every inch of this place clean and dialed. The place has such gr8 vibe, fresh, gr8 beats, friendly, the staff is so easy to work with. Dave is an artist straight up! The other artists were laying down sick tattoo's. I've already made an appt. To get more work done next week.
Review Source:Dave @ Big Fish has done all my work and you can be sure that any artist he employs is not only of the top skill level but also has the professional attitude needed to be a part of his staff. Â So far I have gotten 35 hours worth of tattoo work by Dave which you can find on the big fish facebook page. Â My piece is a traditional Japanese tiger with a Koi and flowers going from the rib cage down to the leg. Â Big Fish Tattoo is that only shop I have ever gone too and I wouldn't go anywhere else.
-Greg StayTrue
I was a devoted customer of 454 Tattoo for nearly 2 years. After spending over a thousand dollars on piercings (which all got infected...go to Enigma in PB!) and tattoos, some of which were less than satisfying, I gave up. I love the tattoo culture so this was very upsetting to me.
On a whim, a friend's mother told us to go in to see Dave's new shop, and I knew who he was, and who Champ was as well from my 454 days.
WELL EAT YOUR HEART OUT 454.
I have never gotten a more professional and well done tattoo, not to mention how NICE everyone at Big Fish is. The sarcastic not-so-witty banter of my previous tattoo experiences was nowhere to be found, thank god! As for the tattoo, it is PERFECT, healed up right away and I get more compliments than on any other tattoo I have had.
If you live anywhere within San Diego county, this is the place to go. And even if you don't, make the trip!
The best tattoo experience I have ever had was here!!!!! Everyone was amazing and super nice!! The place is really clean and inviting!! The artists are so talented!! Christian gave me a tattoo for my grandpa and he listened to me and did everything I wanted and then some!! I loved that he was so nice and didn't give me shit for twitching! My tattoo is beyond amazing and I am telling everyone to go there! Everyone who works there is professional and super nice!!! They are all great at what they do and I am so glad I went there!!! This place is the best go there for a great time!!!
Review Source:5 stars for Big Fish Tattoo, I'd give them even more if i could. This shop Rocks, Its got good energy, its nice and clean,they play good music, but most importantly they are professional and they do good work! My friend got a beautiful Tattoo from Christian Buckingham there, it was exactly what she wanted but Dave Hartman is "my man" I get compliments daily on my tattoo wherever I go, and I've had people tell me its the best tattoo they've ever seen ,it's very detailed.I love it and I love Dave Hartman :) and Big Fish Tattoo!
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