GO ANYWHERE ELSE. Literally anywhere. Kody Golden (Kody Grim) came recommended for a cover up so I…read moremade an appointment 2 months in advance with a deposit after a promising consult where he took many photos of my arm.
I arrived where I waited for almost 2 hours for him to finally emerge from what I assume is his and Electra's downstairs apartment to say he had nothing prepared for my appointment. So he sat down and began to draw on my arm. I wasn't really sure what he was doing so I asked and discovered he wasn't even covering the tattoo... he apologized and reassured he'd fix it. I waited over 3 hours before he actually began tattooing waves from an iPad drawing.
He invited me to return the next day and apologized. So I arrived at 12PM. He started at 1PM - I came with my partner and had clear requests and photos. I asked if he was sure he felt comfortable completing the piece. I expressed many other artists said it wouldn't turn out well, etc. I told him my concerns with the outline, etc. He continued to reassure me as he did in our consult.
I noticed he was breaking a ton and nodding off so I asked if he wanted to stop. After a break he took at 2PM I said it wasn't going to work out, I expressed my dislikes, and that I was gonna head out. He reassured me again and told me to let him fix it, sit down, let me show you, etc. Against my better judgement, I allowed him to try and fix it... He shortly after completely fell asleep running the gun out of line on my wrist.
(The two earlier times I caught him nodding off, I didn't realize until later, the liner needle went so deep into my arm it cut pretty deeply. I later noticed more way out of line shading.)
I yelled at him to wake up and he said he was done. I said, "Yep, me too!" Mortified, I sat there as he walked away and left me in the chair where he began sorting jewelry at the counter as if nothing had happened. I went to the restroom, washed my arm.
He even admitted falling asleep and causing the mistakes and told me to "scratch it off" when I pointed it out. I could feel the tears welling up and just wanted to leave immediately as I felt super unsafe and awful. I handed him the money, and quickly walked out. I didn't know what to do as in all of my 12 years of being tattooed I've never had an experience like this... ever. I'd like to think I'm an outspoken person who would leave in any uncomfortable situation, but as I've learned, it's really hard when you're at the discretion of an artist who continues to promise their abilities to complete a tattoo you've been wanting for so long.
I reached out to the artist who recommended him and they offered to try to fix the tattoo. After consulting with many reputable artists, one even being Kody's brother, Dustin Golden, they all said black out or removal are my only options.
As a last effort, I reached out to Kody and Electra "the owners" on the same day. I've attached what was said. I haven't heard anything, I never signed anything, they are unwilling to help. Clearly he didn't know what he was doing and may have been under the influence? I'm not sure. I remember him saying he still owed his dad the mortgage payment so I assume due to their monetary difficulties, I'll not be receiving a refund of any kind. I hoped communicating one on one with them would help. I was hoping for accountability and apologies, not arguing and defensiveness with no help at all.
In conclusion, a promised $600 four hour easy tattoo cover up, turned into 11 hours in a shop, injury, and tears - not to mention my partner and I are out the saved up $530 that was paid to Kody in cash.
I'm really crushed because I love the art of tattooing and have never, ever had an experience so awful before. To have saved up the funds and to have been so excited too - it's just really, really awful and something I did not deserve and no one does. So please, go somewhere else. There are many wonderful tattoo artists in Roanoke - Bad Wave Tattoo, True Craft Tattoo, etc. I should have done the same, knowing the "deal" was too good to be true.