Vivid Tattoo

Okay...  Now I feel comfortable writing a proper review for Vivid.  This place is awesome.  I've been tattooed by a couple of different places.  Mostly back in NYC at Andromeda (which is also amazing) and Sleeping Giant (here in SD, which is TERRIBLE) and I can say hands down this is my new go to place.  

I've been tattooed by two different artists here and then got my ears gauged and nosed pierced.  

My first ink was with Mike.  I popped in randomly one night and explained what I wanted.  The guy at the desk was chill in getting me set up.  I've shopped around and usually get met with a lot of attitude and ego.  

No, I'm not super inked with sleeves and stuff everywhere.  My ink is pretty simple and straight forward and not very showy so studios usually talk down to me or act like my request is stupid.  Here I didn't get that vibe at all.  

The place itself is pretty cool.  Very, very clean and spacious.  Lots of art and stuff on the walls.

Mike got everything set up and did the tattoo...  I chatted it up with the owner Steph and another girl (I forget her name but she's been there every time ive been inked and pierced and is really cool to talk to).  The ink is perfect.  Thanks Mike.  

A week(ish) later, I decided I wanted to go bigger.  So I go back to Vivid with no appointment and a vague idea as to what I wanted...  Met up with Devon.  I was immediately turned on.  Her ink is EXACTLY what I'm going for.  I wanted to start a half sleeve of life versus death and was getting started with a rose.  

I wanted it to be as photo realistic as possible so Devon sat me down and we went through some pictures of roses on Google. Found what I wanted.  She printed it out and did a really simple outline. Not gonna lie, I really doubted her ability to do a realistic looking rose from just an outline.

We talked about pricing and time and stuff and was given an estimate of about 2-3 hours and about 200-300.  My piece isnt huge so I was kinda surprised at how long it would take, pricing wasnt a huge concern.

Jump on the table and she sets to work.  It hurt.  Not like I'm dying hurt, but wasn't fun either.  A few hours later, she wrapped up and I finally took a look at it.  I was floored.  It was beyond perfect.  The color popped right off my arm, the detail was so intricate...  It's been two weeks now since the ink and people have stopped me on the street to ask me about it... who did it, what does it mean and compliment the rose. It's so good, someone asked me if it was fake.  Thank you Devon (I'll be back soon to get the rest of the sleeve started).

Last night out of boredom I went to get my nose pierced and my ears gauged.  The guy (don't remember his name) was bad ass.  No attitude, easy to talk to, super laid back and really good at his job.  I've heard the nose stings and hurts and usually makes your eyes water, but I didn't experience any of this.  

Bottom line...  Vivid Tattoo is THE place to go in San Diego.  Great job guys!

Absolutely my favorite tattoo shop in San Diego.  The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and talented, the shop is clean, inviting, and decorative, and the pricing (by the piece as opposed to by the hour) is unbeatable.

Currently having the shop owner work on a massive back/shoulder piece that she designed, and I could not be happier.  I gave her my inspiration and a few pictures, and she turned out a extremely detailed and intricate tattoo that I am proud to show off.

One of my favorite parts about this shop is the tattooing process is very manageable here.  The artists have light hands that don't push too hard into the skin, their coloring and line work stays vibrant and crisp, and I have yet to experience any kind of issues with infection or anything of the sort.

Don't know why anyone would go anywhere else

I cannot say enough great things about this place. Incredible artists, CLEAN shop, and great prices.  The absolute only downside to this place is the lack of parking.  I had Andrew do a large piece on my thigh that involved a lot of line work and shading.  The tattoo is above and beyond my expectations. I 110% recommend this shop in general and Andrew in particular!!