The Shop:
Hard Knox has been around for some time, but this is a newer location. Clean, spacious, and well-lit, my daytime appointment allotted me the opportunity to enjoy the natural, indirect sunlight coming in from their large floor-to-ceiling windows. There are five booths, four occupied, and a sketching area in the back. There's a full basement that I didn't have the privy of seeing, but I'm told that's where the tattoo artists do their painting and work on their fine art. An all-around creative space!
The Artists:
John Sweeney was the first artist I stalked out of this shop. Check out his portfolio and you'll see why. I know I'll be booking with him eventually, I just don't know what I want yet. Alex Rios was the next artist to be stalked and I chose him to do my Suffrage Rose after seeing a few of his realistic roses online.
The Experience:
I did something a little different when booking with Alex and for me, that's risky. Not only do I obsess over portfolio-after-portfolio when picking an artist, I also like meeting with them in person first...to get a feel of their vibe. I didn't do that this time. The shop is in Yonkers and I'm in Newark. It's not a trek I'm willing to make just for a conversation and consult. I took the risk and gave Alex my deposit via PayPal and communicated with him through email only. I never even heard his voice until the day of my appointment, when calling in to tell him I was running late. Whew! To my relief, Alex is super cool. His gun of choice is powered by air. That's a first for me. It wasn't as quiet as the rotary, it wasn't as loud as the coil, and it gently blew air in my ear on occasion...seductive. Alex has a gentle hand, but that's not to say it was a painless experience. I asked for many breaks and he was cool about it every time.
Worth the trek? Indeeeeed!
I'll post a pic of his work once it peels and heals.
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