Optic Nerve Arts

Tim Jordan is an amazing artist and i'm so happy with how my last tattoo came out.  In fact, all of the folks tattooing here seem to be really talented.  I did tons of research on local shops and artists before deciding on Tim/Optic Nerve, so save yourself the time and effort and just go get tattooed here--you'll be happy you did.  Shop is clean and professional, but really comfortable with none of that bullshit pretentiousness you get in a lot of Portland shops.  Also got pierced here and am happy with that, too.

I've been getting tattooed for more than half my life (since before they were so popular) and have gotten pieces in a half a dozen sites. When I moved to Portland I was pretty excited to try out a new shop in this town full of art. Optic Nerve was right down the street from my house and has some fantastic reviews, so in my wife and I went.

We had recently decided to leave Portland at the end of the month, which at the time was about three weeks away, so we didn't have too high of expectation when it came to getting an appointment. We told this to Jeremy on a sunny Saturday, who reported that it would be no problem to fit us in. We met with him for about a half an hour and it was very pleasant. We explained what we wanted and where we wanted them, and he gave us advice and suggestions. He told us that he would have drawings in about seven days, and we left the shop feeling pretty damn good.

On Monday we realized that we were confused about what Jeremy meant by seven days - did he mean he'd finish the drawing and then we can set up an appointment or that we'd be able to come in the day he finished? - so my wife sent him an email asking him. Monday passed, Tuesday passed, Wednesday passed, Thursday passed, and nothing. On Friday morning I called the shop and was told that Jeremy was busy and would call me back within a couple of hours. The rest of Friday passed with no phone call. As did Saturday and Sunday. On Monday morning I sent him an email, asking what was going on and telling him that if he couldn't get it done it was no big deal but that he should at least let us know. I told him that we would be driving through Missoula, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Denver, so we could easily call and make appointments in one of those cities.

It has been three weeks since that last email and neither my wife nor myself have heard a word from this guy. I don't know if he just didn't like us, but didn't have the courage to tell us in person? Did he get into some horrible accident and become paralyzed from the waist up? Did I dream the whole thing?

I hate to be the first one to give Optic Nerve less than five stars, but it was by far the worst experience I've had in a tattoo shop.

The crew at Optic Nerve Arts was wonderful! I didn't have an appointment and called on Monday around 4 to get my first tattoo. I just e-mailed some pictures to Jeremy and met him at the shop. He did different drawings for me until we finally got the perfect size and style that I wanted.
Everyone at the shop was so friendly! I had a great time talking to Buffy at the desk while Jeremy was drawing.
The actual time for the ink was only 45 minutes and then I was out of there.
Jeremy did a great job! I will definitely go back to him for my second one!