I went in today on a spur of the moment. The first person i came across was a very pretty girl with brown hair, did not get her name. But she was very friendly and said even though she was busy she had another artist coming in that could take care of me. I lucked out, I met Dan and he totally took care of me. I got a very simple and straight forward tattoo but he was very friendly and took it very seriously. He gave me a great tattoo, and I look forward to coming back to him soon. Thanks Dan!
Review Source:Dan Herlihy is the man!
You want a down-to-earth, super-talented tattoo artist go see Dan Herlihy. He's been the only tattoo artist that I've trusted to do my detailed work both color and black and white.
You have an idea of what you want but not sure how you want it? Leave it up to Dan to either free hand on you or draw something up on paper. He will even tell you if something is a good or bad idea (like names.....who would ever do that??)
If you want a real artist that truly appreciates the history, skill, talent, and dedication that it takes to be a successful tattooer then go see Dan Herlihy. You won't be disappointed.
Just got my most recent tattoo at True Love, a phoenix, and I could not be more ecstatic.
I'd been looking for the right place to get a phoenix tattoo. Phoenixes are so symbolic to me, that I wanted to make sure I went someplace just as special. After scouring Yelp, I came across True Love Tattoos and although they didn't have many reviews, I trusted the ones they had and decided to take a chance.
The shop is very clean, and comfortable, everyone is treated like old friends, which is nice if you're a little nervous. I was very, very particular about the design and Dan really did such a great job. He's a true artist and understood the importance of the design and put so much work into details to make it really special. Took about 3 hours and 2 sessions but the price was extremely reasonable. Everyone in the shop was so nice and the music was awesome so the time flew by. Pun intended.
The tat came out so beautifully, I couldn't have had a better experience anywhere. True Love Tattoo - truly the loveliest tattoo and experience anyone could have.
P.S. They're having a Valentine's Day special, $50 for a tattoo, really beautiful choices too. Check them out!
I LOVED this place! It is a MUST GO!!! The artist are amazing and they are professional an talented and nice and thoughtful and believe me, my list can go on and on about how amazing they are! I got some work there yesterday and I love it! I will definitely be returning!! Highly recommending it to everyone!
Review Source:I have a number of tattoos, but the last two I had done at True Love. I had a great experience overall and will keep going back! True Love has a really nice feel and there's beautiful and inspiring tattoo art on the walls. I worked with Ross, who was amazing! I came in with different pictures and ideas, but nothing sketched out. He listened to what I wanted and together we designed - he sketched- two beautiful pieces. He is an amazing artist. He's also really easy-going and nice to work with. I am so happy with both my tattoos. The whole experience was great! I'm already planning my next tattoo and will go back to Ross.
Review Source:I've gotten two tattoos at True Love over the last few years, both by Ross. One small, one large--and with both, I walked into True Love with only the vaguest idea of what I wanted. With the right questions and some thoughtful sketching, Ross helped me tease out exactly the right designs both times, and then put those designs on my skin as sketched, with a gentle and swift hand.
Review Source:Ross gave me good advice and an even better tattoo. I'm happy to recall his calmness, and his attention to the design--which he expertly reproduced, after helping me select it from several samples I brought in--whenever someone asks me about the piece. Ross is an amazing sculptor as well. I wonder if anyone has asked Ross to tattoo her with one of his pug-like darling monsters...
Review Source:I have three beautiful tattoos from True Love Tattoo. Ross is a fantastic tattoo artist and has been working on me for years. He worked with me to create a back piece that I have wanted since I was 16 or so and I love it! He also did a beautiful vine going down my leg with no black outlines so that it looks totally natural and a moth that people tell me looks like it is so real it looks as if I pressed it to my leg and it stayed there. There is still a lot of work to do on my back piece and I am so happy that I get to have my work done by such a fantastic artist. In all honesty I don't think I would trust any other artist to tattoo me after the beautiful pieces he has done. I don't think anyone could compare.
Review Source:I love Ross! I've had two tattoos done by Ross: both are unique, kinda weird, and I love them both--and I get a ton of compliments on em. He was a pleasure to work w/ both times: professional, laid-back, thoughtful, attentive, and really really talented. The first one I got from him was a super quick deal--a few words in my husband's handwriting (and he did one on my husband in my handwriting). We wrote out the tattoos and he copied them EXACTLY---no small feat, really. The second one was much more detailed (an illustration from a very old children's book), and it was also a cover-up of a crappy old high school tattoo. What I loved was how Ross respected the original image, and worked hard in his drawing to replicate it, but he also used his eye and experience to make some really great suggestions about how to place it, size it, and make a few other small changes. He was right on, and the tattoo turned out great (and fully covered up the old one).
Ross is sweet and funny and is a very focused, careful tattoo artist. He also makes rad raunchy hilarious sculptures! I'll be getting in touch with him soon for my next piece...
I've been hesitating writing this review because I am fully aware what a poor review can do to a business. Â However, that doesn't mean that a business should get away with poor customer service. Â
My dealings with Dave Moore started in mid-June when I stopped in make an appointment with him and check out more of his portfolio. Â His intern was extremely friendly and helpful, giving me a really good vibe. Â Dave wasn't in but I made an appointment for the next week to meet him to tell him about the tattoo I was planning and to see if I wanted him to do it. Â I should have backed off when I showed up for the appointment but he didn't. Â A guy at the shop gave me his cell phone number. Â Dave swore the appointment was for the next day but I don't make mistakes like that. Â In fact, I had a card from his shop where his intern and written down the date and time and I even confirmed it with her as I was leaving the shop. Â Bad vibe #1!
The next day I went back to this shop and met with Dave who was a very mellow guy. Â Very peaceful and laid back. Â He took pictures of the two tats I wanted to either cover up or incorporate in a new piece and listened to my ideas. Â He seemed pretty enthused about my ideas, too. Â We scheduled an appointment for two weeks later, his first availability. Â The piece was going to be quite large so we discussed possible three sessions.
We agreed to meet TWO WEEKS later because he said he needed that much time to draw up the artwork. Â HUH? Â I'd never heard of a delay like that, and I do already have a few tattoos but OK. Â I believed him.
When that appointment was supposed to happen, Dave still hadn't finished the artwork so had to push it back even further. Â When we finally met to check out the artwork, guess what? Â He'd probably spent ten minutes on it before I showed up. Â I could see he was a good artist but he'd put in literally no effort. Â I was really upset and disappointed. Â He promised he would have the artwork done by our first session.
A few days before my first session I emailed Dave to confirm our appointment. Â It turned out he had a very scary, personal injury occur that would not allow him to work on me on the appointed day. Â When I heard what happened, I chose to cancel because what he described could result in 1. Â him not being able to hold the tattoo gun 2. Â him being contagious. Â Â I asked him to see a doctor because he hadn't yet done so and I didn't want to risk my life because he risked his. Â I asked him to contact me back when he got the report from the doctor.
Guess what? Â He never responded. Â At this point I was royally pissed off. Â It was clear that Dave was a complete flake and I had been suckered out of my $60 deposit. Â I wrote him an email asking him to mail me back my deposit. Â His response, "Oh, didn't you get my email? Â The doctor said I was fine and your artwork is all done." Â He went on to explain that he was having personal issues with this father that haven't allowed him to be engaged as he should be but that he would still really like to do my tattoo. Â No, Dave, I didn't get your imaginary email and I don't care to hear any more excuses. Â I honestly told him how unprofessional he was so perhaps he could make some changes in his life so this sort of thing doesn't happen to another potential client. Â He responded the next day to say that the check was mailed.
Guess what? Â More than 10 days later the check arrived. Â The post mark on it was seven full days after he claimed he had mailed it. Â Why am I not surprised? Â Good riddance, Dave.
Dave Moore (the owner) is truly gifted when it comes to tattooing. I get so many compliments on the half sleeve he did for me. Dave is a perfectionist, making sure his tattoos and designs fit and flow on the body as they should. His attention to detail and ability to make color choices is unmatched by any other artist. I very much respect him as an artist and tattooist.
Everyone in his shop is also great. The vibe at True Love is very relaxing and I have never left there feeling disappointed. Keep up the good work guys!
OK everyone. Â Ross is THE FUCKING SHIT!!!! Â He is an incredible artist. Â PERIOD. Â People are constantly stopping me on BART, walking down the street, etc. about the tattoo he did, which is totally devoid of flaw. Â It's a pretty great day when your tattoo turns out even more bad-ass and beautiful than you ever imagined. Â He's done script for me, and his skills are evident in the attention to detail and fine lines. Â I got my 3rd work of art from him earlier this year, and quite frankly, I don't know how or why I would ever go to any other tattoo artist after working with him. Â
I know he had a website for his art/sculpture, but I can't find it. Â Anyone out there know??? Â SO AMAZING!!!
two years ago i walked into a random tattoo shop in Oakland and wanted a Japanese mask tattoo. Dillon jumped to the chance, sat down on a 5 hour long session and did a beautiful mask. this was my first tattoo, i was scurred and it hurt. fast forward two years, i have two sleeves by Dillon and I'm still going.
Now Dillon is at True Love, so updating my review.
there are a ton of talented artists in this city; we're fortunate for that. but why did i stay loyal to one? easy. creativity in his art and personality. when i sat down for my first tattoo we shot the ish, joked around and had a good time. it really eased a lot of the worries. since then id stop in to the shop for more work or even just to hang out. he remembered me, my story and went with the given VERY traditional design at such a creative angle.
i wouldn't consider myself biased, but i know a good business when i see one. sure, we're friends NOW. but i was a customer first... and any success business knows this is important. take a look at his site. or hell, even just stop in and check out his portfolios and beautiful art that covers the wall. he can take any simple design and make it a piece of art and unique. not a day goes by that i don't get complimented on my work and vibrant color. i feel if i had gone to any other artist I'd have "good" work but nothing as unique as i have.
i have stopped in many tattoo shops in my time and you wont find that better than thou or no biker no care attitude.
instead you ll find a guy who loves what he does and it reflects in his work and continuing business. on top of it, the prices are MORE than fair and he doesn't rush through your work to get to the next walk in.
stop in, hang out and talk with him about your ideas. you wont be disappointed.
Stop by true love and check it out.
Ive gotten 2 out of my 3 tattoos done by Ross. This guy is very talented and would never steer you wrong when it comes down to what you want done on your body. He is really friendly, honest and he knows what he's doing. Â I sent my sister to him when she got her first tattoo and she was really pleased with his work. I can't wait to come in for my next one!
Review Source:True Love is an excellent shop with friendly, talented tattooers who know what they are doing. Â Dave has done incredible work on me. Â He's talented, precise, fast, and one of the best in the bay area. Â His specialty is traditional Japanese style work and his dragons and koi are amazing. Â If you want high caliber work, you should go here.
Review Source:I had my first tattoo done by Ross today, along with my husband, who had his second tattoo done. We were both very specific on what we wanted, and brought in pictures so Ross had a good idea of what we wanted.
I was first up, and very nervous. Ross was very professional and I knew I was in good hands. The whole process took about 30 minutes (with coloring) and I almost asked for another tattoo. While my husband was getting his done, Ross was up for some conversation while never taking his eyes off his work while the "gun" was running. He gave everything his undivided attention.
I love my tattoo so much and couldn't have asked for a better artist. When I want to get #2, I'm definitely going to True Love.
I followed up on a friend from work's suggestion about this shop by taking a look at yelp. Â Everything that's been said on here so far is 100% true. This shop is fantastic. Â Viktor was the one who worked with me today and is genuinely a cool cat to have diggin a needle in your arm and quite talented too. Â He was expecting an appointment when I stopped in earlier in the day, but said he'd be free at 5 from that right as rain he was. Â The attention to detail these guys show is definitely reassuring. Â There's tons of interesting stuff on the wall to keep your eyes engaged and some good conversation to be had while your body is getting drilled on haha.
I will definitely be back to see Viktor again.. and soon. Â Highly suggest this spot for the noobs and the seasoned vets alike (i'm somewhere in the middle haha).
Ross did an amazing job on my tattoo. I told him generally what I wanted and a few days later he had drawn up a design far more beautiful than what I'd pictured in my head. After a couple of edits to make sure it was perfect, we booked an appointment. It was a big tattoo and I'm a big wimp, so we did it in two sessions. Ross was incredibly patient and methodical so the end result was gorgeous. Also, anyone who can make you feel comfortable while they're cutting into your flesh definitely deserves your business.
Review Source:I have been going to Dave for a very long time, back before he moved to the bigger space when Matt use to apprentice under him and then went on to open his own shop. Â My most recent visit, I had a small piece done which Dave does not really do small pieces he likes to do big pieces so I felt really blessed that he would do my work. Â He has a very good hand and for a new person coming to get work done I would recommend Dave as someone who is patient and will make you feel very comfortable. Â He is known mostly for his Japanese portfolio which is truly stunning! He is usually at the Tattoo Conventions in the area if you want to see him i action before making an appointment, and you will have to make an appointment as he is very busy. If you ride a motorcycle you can park on the sidewalk at the shop. ;-)
Review Source:Strolled in one day with some ideas and not a lot else. I was shopping, and like Byron L. stated so truly that you don't find the artist so much as you make a connection with the person who will be doing your work.
I ended up speaking with Viktor, gave him my thoughts and he said "no problem" The next appointment was to hammer out the idea and style, and start drawing on me. This was a great experience. Viktor really made me feel comfortable. Easy to talk to, easy to tell him when I didn't like something and wanted it changed. In the end it came out just right.
The key was that I wasn't in a hurry, and neither was he. We both wanted it just so, regardless of how much time it took.
The quality of the work did for me is top shelf. Viktor is a meticulous and highly skilled artist.
The quality of work represented in the all of artist portfolios in the shop is top shelf, and I would strongly recommend anyone to this shop.
Plus, while you are sitting there getting drilled, it is an entertaining plus to watch the diplomatic skill with which the artists turn down the ghetto drop-ins who want their boyfriend/girlfriend's name done right that second.
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