Dark Mark Collective and Gallery is the shop to go to for your tattoos. I live in Rowlett, and it's obviously worth the drive for me.
The shop: It's nestled away in a medical complex in Mansfield, surrounded by chiropractors, pediatricians, and various other doctors offices. Not your typical shop next to a pizza joint or a condoms-to-go in a strip mall. Everything from the location, to the office itself feels clean, safe, and when walking through the doors, you know you're in for a top notch experience. This is a newer shop, but feels like home. They've done an amazing job decorating, and each artist has his/her own room to work in, as opposed to everyone being given a spot in a larger open room. It's quiet and gives the client the opportunity for discretion instead of taking clothing off in a room full of strangers.
The artist: while I know that there are a few high quality artists that work at Dark Mark, I followed a specific artist there from a different tattoo shop. Cody Dresser is the best of the best. I have 12 tattoos, two of which have been done by him, and I will never go to another shop or another tattoo artist after his work. He is easily one of the best in the DFW metroplex. Everything (from his personality to his work as an artist) is of the highest quality. He makes each person walking through the door feel completely comfortable. During my first tattoo with him, he made a point to turn on my favorite show on Netflix (Supernatural) as a distraction, and sing Drake. My most recent tattoo from him (done yesterday) was an equally amazing experience. He turned on Game if Thrones and we talked about the show as we watched it. At no point did I feel like he was distracted by what was happening on TV, but felt like he was just a good friend who was as blown away as I was by the plot lines (and I just so happened to also be getting a tattoo). Four plus hours flew by with little to no pain, and I'm left with something amazing as a permanent reminder of my experience there.
I can't say enough good things about Cody or about this shop. read more