If I could give this place 100 stars, I would. Cozy atmosphere, personalized attention from the artists, and they always have awesome music playing.
I found the studio online while searching for a cover up artists for a couple of tattoos I have on my back. Jerry, based on some reference art I brought in during our initial consultation, drew me a custom cover-up piece. It isn't finished yet, but is coming along beautifully and Jerry is always very willing to work with my schedule and tolerance which allows me to sit in shorter sessions if I need to.
Tip: Parking kind of sucks. There is free parking on 10th street, West of Park Avenue.
I was referred to Istari Studios and Jim a few years ago when I was new to Tucson and in need of a new tattoo. Â I met with Jim and talked about the kind of design I was looking for, brought a couple of idea images - and he turned it into an amazing tattoo. Â He even offered suggestions for placement and ideas that I hadn't thought of before. Â Since this was in memory of my brother, it had to be something incredible - and it was/is! Â Thanks, Jim!
Review Source:I love tattoos! Â I have been fascinated by them since I was a little kid (seriously, if I could have gotten a tattoo at 6, I would have). Â Since my 18th birthday I have been amassing a modest collection on strategic parts of my body. Â I move around a lot so finding a tattoo artist that fits and can share and help create my vision is quite the task! Â After months of searching online and through the phone book (old fashioned, I know) I had narrowed the selection down to three artists, then, one night I was out listening to a local band when I noticed the ink on this guy in front of me. Â I couldn't help it, I tapped him on the shoulder and asked who had done his work. Â He told me Jim Quinn at Istari Studios, handed me a card and the rest is history (marked indelibly on my skin).
Istari Studios is clean and has an awesome vibe about it. Â Definitely loved the comfortable, intimate feeling that the studio gives off.
Jim is one of the best artists I have been to. Â Professional, creative and laid back. Â Had a truly enjoyable experience and a beautiful piece of art. Â I think I am due for another one pretty soon!
My second time around at Istari was even better than my first! Jerry is such a talented artist, he was very involved from start to finish on figuring out and executing what I wanted. I had a tattoo from another artist to cover up, and he was happy to let me bounce ideas off of him until we figured something out that would work and make me happy. He is an actual artist beyond just tattooing, which I think makes a big difference in his ability to find creative solutions and adapting as he goes.
The tattoo itself took only an hour and a half, though it required lots of filler. Jerry has the steady hand of a man who knows what he's doing and the quick hand of a man who has had time to perfect his technique. The tattoo looks wonderful, with no shading where there shouldn't be, and even the smallest little lineal spaces are perfectly straight and evenly spaced.
Jerry's bedside manner is 5-star worthy, too - he is so personable! He can talk about just about anything, is a down-to-earth intellectual and was able to carry on conversation about poetry, literature, and whatever else popped into my head as we tried to distract from the pain of the needle going over my hipbone.
This tattoo shop isn't the norm. Jim, the shop owner, lives downstairs of this two story building. It is super low-key, off the beaten path of the mainstreamed 4th ave. shops. It's very modern, squeaky clean, and full of talent.The music blares an awesome mix of hip-hop - but underground & not so much ghetto gansta rap. The consultations happen mostly downstairs & the real magic happens upstairs in a more private area. Sinek (most call him Jerry here in Tucson) is an amazing artist, not just of the skin - but a painter as well. I had my first big tattoo with him recently. He has a light touch and works quickly. I just love the atmosphere here... I will be back, with friends. Soon.
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