So. I found myself wanting to finish a tattoo I had started last year.
But...
It required text.
I was a little scared.
I started searching for artists. I asked friends to search for artists. I asked my fellow Yelpers for recommendations of artists....
Ya see, I wasn't going to go to just anyone; I needed someone GREAT.
After an exhaustive search, and some superb referrals, I found an artist...finally.
I emailed Chris Boyle, and learned due to the closing of East Side Iron, he has moved over to Music City Tattoo on Music Row. Since MCT is undergoing a website revamp (and he's fairly new to this team), he referred me to his Instagram profile to check out his work.
I loved it.
We conversed a bit through email, and agreed to meet at the shop on a late Friday afternoon to discuss my design further. Lucky for me, no charge for a consultation.
I was greeted warmly by several members of the staff (or perhaps the owners?) as I walked through the front door. Chris immediately came out to meet me.
We discussed my design, and he carefully examined the existing work I had. He then made some great recommendations to make my addition look better and last longer.
I had a gazillion questions, of course, and he took the time to answer each one diligently, stating more than once, "There are never too many questions.". Simply put, this guy has a lot of insight, and it is evident he cares deeply about his craft.
I was not expecting to have the work completed that evening since the shop closes at 7PM, and the work I wanted done was estimated at 1.5 hours. But, Chris said in so many words, "I'm good. Let's do this!". So we did.
I ran out to grab some sugar inducing food and beverage items while he prepped. Upon my return, he took an immense amount of care to make sure all was just right before we started.
Since I had not had such an extensive piece done before, he took time to explain to me how he would go about applying the ink, and advised to please let him know whenever I needed a break.
We then made a few, minor design changes, several tries at the stencil, and a little freehand drawing.... Voilà ! It was perfect.
Three hours later, with only one short restroom break, my piece was complete, and I was elated. Even though it was late, and well past closing time, Chris (again) took the time to make sure I was comfortable with aftercare, and to answer any additional questions I had.
Throughout the entire process, I never felt rushed or disregarded in any way, and I truly enjoyed conversing with Chris.
Hey, if you're going to get poked with a needle for several hours by a total stranger, this is the guy to hire!
TIP: The drive to the right of the house leads to additional parking.
Laura and Mike are the best!
Laura has been doing my tattoos since 2008, when I lived in New York and would plan trips to visit my family in Nashville AROUND our sessions. Her color work is as fantastic as it gets, but her artistry is even more impressive. I have a certain style of line-work that I like for all of my tattoos, and she has the uncanny ability to match just my style, even before she'd ever tattooed me or seen any of my pieces! She will be doing an Americana-style classic piece and turn around and draw the more intricate, feminine lines I prefer without any hint of the previous style's influence.
If you're in Nashville (or not!) and looking for professional artists, go to Music City. They both have been tattooing for many MANY years and have so much experience under their belt, so you never feel like you're their "first" anything. They also are such joys to be around you want to get a tattoo just to hang out with them! Simply the greatest tattooing experience :)
I've been to Music City for two pieces now and would happily get more work done there. By the luck of the draw, both my tattoos have been done by Mike, but both are amazing artists. Mike's mastery with color is impressive. He is also an excellent collaborator. Â He worked with me to create true works of art. Go see them. Other shops might be better known, but they don't have anything on Music City.
Review Source:if you want a completely amazing tattoo experience (all around) definitely go check out music city tattoo on 16th avenue south in nashville and talk to mike and laura
mike worked on and brightened up my chest piece and laura crafted beautiful cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums covering both my left and right sides. they apply incredibly bright colors on your skin when they tattoo you, i have been tattooed by artists from all over the U.S. and my experience at music city tattoo has been the best one yet. i will always go back. mike and laura are not only amazing tattoo artists but also amazing people who make you feel at ease and have become good friends.
i can't wait to go back and start my next tattoo project.
I had a great experience at Music City Tattoo. Â I called when they were still pretty new in town and got an appointment for the same day. Â I picked this husband and wife team because I heard they had spent several years in a Navy town, and I was looking for a nautical themed tattoo. Â Laura understood just what I described and had lots of reference images ready for me to look at when I showed up. Â She made a drawing that combined everything I wanted and got right to work. Â
Their shop is an old house on Music Row, the environment was really cool, and I was completely at ease because they were playing a few punk bands I really liked and we talked about music and art the whole time. Â Laura did a BEAUTIFUL job on my tattoo, the colors are so bright, even a year and half later, and I get compliments on it all the time. Â I have recommended them to friends who have also gotten great work done there. Â They are a couple of really cool folks and I'd love to go back for more tattoos.
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