For my first review in Denver as a (very) recent transplant, it felt appropriate to pick a place where I had a wonderful experience. I suppose this also acts as the kick-off to the continuation of my Portland, OR project of getting tattooed at as many different shops as possible. All for the reviews, of course.
My partner and I made appointments at Kitchen's Ink to have our complementary (NOT matching!) tattoos done. A key and an escutcheon. (No, *I* got the key. He got the keyhole.) Joe took our relatively vague designs and quickly finished beautiful designs, incorporating some of his own suggestions which he ran by us first, and ultimately made the finished products that much more beautiful.
Joe was incredibly pleasant to talk to throughout the process, which is quite a feat when one is being tattooed on the back of the calf. His conversation is easy and fluid, yet he was completely understanding when I had to bury my head in my arms and grit my teeth.
He tattooed both of us in under two hours and even gave us a buddy discount on our tattoos, which resulted in a much lower price than I'd anticipated. I'd go back here again and again.
Joe did a small piece for me on my wrist. I usually have a hard time getting people at tattoo places to take me seriously because I am, and I look like, a sorority girl. Most tattoo shops think I just want a little cute and dainty tattoo. But I don't, I have the utmost respect for tattoos and tattoo artists and I take the ink I have on me very seriously. My sister had picked this shop based on recommendations and I just went with her pick. I only had a vague idea of what I wanted and Joe managed to turn my vague ideas into the most spectacular and detailed of all of my tattoos despite it being my smallest. As another reviewer mentioned this shop is super laid back, everyone is very nice and Joe definitely took the time to listen to what I wanted. I am from Austin where hipster tattoo shops abound but this shop was so much better, there was no judgment and the tattoo artists are very serious about their work. I highly highly recommend Kitchens' Ink!
Review Source:Trent did a terrific job with my seahorse tattoo. I went in with a photograph of what I wanted and he made it so much better than the photo! There is beautiful dimension and depth to this tattoo and the colors are gorgeous and just pop! I am very pleased with the service I received and the quality of the shop. I will definitely return!
Review Source:Joe Manly (the owner) is an exquisite fine artist. I have a copious amount of ink on my body, but the piece I get complimented on the most is the small piece on my inner arm that Joe did about a year ago. His detail work is precise and immaculate.
More importantly, Joe will take the time with you to make sure you are 100% happy with your design before it's etched into your skin forever.
There's no pretension at his shop, even though it's filled with fabulous art and artists. On any given First Friday his space is always packed, because there's quality work on the walls and friendly people hanging out.
When I went in, I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to get and gave Jess, the artist, some stuff to point her in the right direction. Â She took an outline of my shoulder where I had the work done and said she'd see me in two weeks. Â
I was somewhat surprised to find that what she designed didn't really match up with what I had in my head, but as she explained to me what her thought processes were, I thought, "You know, that makes really good sense." Â She took my base ideas and turned into a really beautiful and dynamic work of art that worked very well with my body. Â She was friendly, informative, and very competent - I love what I left with. Â I am very grateful I trusted her judgment.
While I don't really know how it compares in terms of price, I consider what I paid very reasonable for the art I got and think of it as money very well spent.
They also have rotating art exhibited there that is, shall we say, interesting. Â If nothing, it certainly broadens your horizons a bit (not that one wandering through Kitchen's Ink is likely to be narrowly-horizoned, but you know what I mean).
Joe Manly is a true artist of the flesh. I don't trust anyone else to do my artwork. I've known him for 20 years and he has never done me wrong. The other tattoo artists there are high caliber professionals as well. There is no hipster pretension here when you come through the door. This is no "pick a tattoo off the wall" Â style parlor. Its quality, custom work. Furthermore Kitchens Ink is a gallery that you should wander into on first Friday or anytime you find yourself in the Santa Fe arts district. If you like real art that's inspired by people with eclectic vision check it out. If you like mass market pop art maybe you should accidentally stumble out in front of a fast moving car Or just walk across the street and pay 10 grand for a brown smudge on a piece of toilet paper in a fancy gold frame. Kitchens Ink is where you you want to go.
Review Source:Joe Manly does the most vibrant and beautiful work. I've had the honor of getting all of my tattoos done by him. He's always done the best he can to make me comfortable during the slightly uncomfortable moments, and his shop is exceptionally clean. I also love that his studio doubles as a gallery and is open on First Friday for drinks and mischief. He also does free touch-ups on all his work. I can't wait to get more work done by him!
Review Source:I went and met Joe last Wen. and was surprised.  He refunded  $200 to my from his own pocket. it wasn't his mistake, but he made it right. That's wonderful customer service and it shows he has good business practices and wants to ensure the customer is happy.  The meeting was quick and i showed him the finished tattoo. He even complemented the work that had been done to fix it. I told him i would write a review about the refund. Well left got away from me and it's Friday night and i am working an adult private party at the skating rink i work at.  The party guests were all in costume and what not. Well I was working in the concession  and a Man dressed in army style costume comes to the counter for water and i see this beautiful tattoo that goes down from his shoulder cap to the inside of his elbow. He had a huge whale on the inside of the elbow and then i think two fishes in a ying yang on the shoulder cap. we talking about his arm for a while and i asked who did it, and he said, Joe from Kitchen's Ink. His name was Daren, by the way. No idea on last name.  He ranted and raved about Joe and how good he was and just how much of a good hearted person he was. So i t was really good in my opinion that i waited to update the reiew. Now i have seen some of joe's work and I am considering taking him some things i have wanted. Thanks again Joe for making it right.
Review Source:Kitchen's Ink is always a blur to me somehow. Â It must be from all the free wine : ) Â There is often live music, last time there were cupcakes and I met a writer. Â
Most of the time, Kitchen's Ink is extremely busy when I visit. Â The last exhibit I saw featured photographic images of naked and slightly androgynous women. Â The photographs were very well lit. Â This exhibit was titled, "Deviant Behavior Erotic Art Exhibit." Â Then, isn't Kitchen's Ink rather liberal in content? Â
Always packed, Kitchen's Ink is a-buzz during First Friday.
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