I can't say enough about this shop and it's staff. I first went there in April 2016. One of my best friends was getting her first tattoo, I was getting 2 more (all my others, except 1, were done in Thailand where I lived and worked for 3 years) and my daughter who had just turned 16 was "possibly" going to get her first tattoo. I told her I would have to case the place out before I said yes or no. We spent many days calling and asking around before we decided to go with Beneath the Surface.
I called and spoke to an artist named Skine (pronounced "Skinny"), he was professional, respectful, and knowledgeable so I asked him if he would be able to do our tattoos that night. The moment I walked in I could feel the ambiance of professionalism and the smell and look of cleanliness. I don't know about anyone else out there but that means it's a go or no go to me. He introduced himself and asked who wanted to go first, of course it was me because I already have some tattoos, and then he asked what I wanted and where I wanted it. I was going to get 2 that night so I said I'd let him do my first one and if I felt he was indeed a good tattoo artist then he could do my friend. I had chosen the word, Forgiven, written in Arabic, long story. I wanted it on the inside of my right wrist. He asked how big, how thick, etc. a lot of questions (again this is just my opinion) means he is meticulous and professional. He took his time to draw out the word, making sure every letter linked to the other as that is how Arabic is written and read. After careful thought and consideration about the placement of my tattoo he went to work. Now don't take my word on this because I have a high tolerance for f pain but he was very gentle and continuously asking if I was going ok. You would think that a small (2"x1") tattoo would only take maybe 15 minutes but it took him 30 minutes. That's how you want it done, not in a hurry, slow and precise...it turned out beautiful!
Next was my friends turn (she's in her later 40's and it's her first tattoo) she has no idea what to expect. She also had chosen a word that had significant meaning to her that she wanted on the back of her wrist as well. That's a sensitive place to get a tattoo if you have little tolerance to pain, but she toughed it out and couldn't believe how gentle Skine was. I think he got her addicted to tattoos...lol. Then comes my daughter, to do or not to do?!? Because she already knew what she wanted and I made her tell me the symbolism behind it I decided to let her get it. Had it been anyone else but Skine I would never have agreed to it. I won't say what or where because of her age but it only hurt for the first minute or two as she squeezed the crap out of my hand! After she relaxed and the endorphins kicked in she said it wasn't near as painful as she thought it would be and was already thinking of ideas for the next one...lol.
Lastly was my second tattoo which was the word "DREAM" that I wanted written in cursive on the inner side of my arm (it's not the word Dream that I like but the acronym behind it, if you know it great, if not then no worries). Skine HAND wrote the word on my arm and it was perfect! He then tattooed it again with the utmost professionalism and care. So, I'll end this story with our last experience at Beneath the Surface which was just last week. I promised my daughter if she got all A's on her progress report that I'd let her get her 2nd tattoo, which once again had to have meaning and symbolism and it did. She refused to let anyone but Skine do it and he did it for her within an hour after I called him to see if he had time. Again, a year later now, the shop was clean, neat, professional, and welcoming. He did her tattoo with such precision and accuracy asking her all along the way how she was doing. She didn't even need me to hold her hand this time...lol. When he was finished and she looked at it in the mirror I could see the satisfaction on her face. Another job well done!
I'll end with this. I work in healthcare so my mind is always on cleanliness, neatness, hygiene, sterility, etc. and of course kind, professional, and caring people. He's the only one that has ever tattooed us but I watched some of the other artists while I was there and they were all VERY professional and experienced! read more