Riptide Tattoo

Great experience!

I came in as a walk-in for a ribcage piece. Even though the shop was about to have an art show that night (about 45 min after I entered, yikes!), Kevin told me we had time for the piece. He didn't rush me or the process at all. I had a phrase I wanted in my own handwriting, and he let me draw it as many times as I wanted to make sure it was exactly how I wanted it.

During the inking, he checked in with me often and asked if I was ok since it's such a sensitive area.

We were done with both colors (black and red) in 30 minutes, while joking around the whole time. When guests started to arrive, Kevin didn't even bat an eyelash, and simply told them I was starting the party and that I was his performance piece for the night!

First of all, how cool that a shop actually has an art show. Secondly, great work done very quickly.

I did have him touch up one line after it healed- was simply missing the crossbar of a capital "A".

Kevin told me that if I ever need it touched up, I can come back as well!

He seems to be one of the most "together" tattoo artists I've seen. Doesn't smoke, has a family, runs marathons, isn't some kind of druggie, shows art at his shop and gives to the community. I've gotten inked by some sketchy characters, believe me... and Kevin isn't one of them. Great experience.

ok, so i know this guy...and he like does tattoos, REALLY GOOD ones!

kevin's great, been going to him for a couple of years now...and couldn't be happier with his shop, service, or skills! it was a great experience before at his old space and now with the new shop and all, it couldn't be better, super clean and calm environment and for a germaphobic, mellow chick like my self that's an A+ any day.

did i mention i get great service, beautiful art, and some of the best conversations EVER? he's hilarious!

point blank, his work speaks for itself and he's a super cool dude to boot, only reason i keep going back. all of my ink has very symbolic/heartfelt meaning and if i'm going to sit and get drilled for 2 1/2 to 3 hours at a time while permanently attaching symbolism to my dermis dude better have good vibes and be a cool cat, and that my friends he is.

I came to Kevin a total of two times. The first time I took in a design I wanted and all he had to do was trace the tattoo onto me I had no problems with that tattoo. The second time required him to have some actual artistic ability. Thats when things turned bad. I wanted him to do moon as a background to a tattoo I already had and he gave me something that looked like an egg with the worst shading possible to go along with it. All I can say is beware if  your planning on getting anything other than something he has to trace.