I've had ""artists"" from all over the country work on my body, though as I got older I slowed down considerably and for the last half decade, stopped altogether. When I met and married my wife I wanted to give her something more meaningful than words (as well all know vows aren't necessarily what they used to be) and I found a picture I took of her and decided I wanted to have it tattooed on my chest. I looked around on the Internet, having only lived in VA for a few years, I didn't really know my way around. I found Mystic Art's site, perused the portraiture work and was amazed. I drove to the tattoo shop without an appointment and met both Tom and Brenda. I could tell right away that these were people that I wanted to work with. They were both so honest and open and friendly. I'd always heard that ""southern folk"" were kinder than those of us up north, but I'd never experienced any real difference until meeting these two.
Tom looked over the picture and said that he would try his hand at a drawing and give me a call. Like the poor review above, Tom did not talk price, but that was because he wanted to make sure he could do the work! I instantly respected him for that. I have 28 tattoos on my body and some of them were done by people who ""promised"" they could do the work and then completely botched the job. There's nothing like wearing the work of a poor artist on your body for the rest of your life!
Within a week I got a call from Brenda telling me that Tom had finished the drawing and I went in to see it. I was astounded--the drawing looked even better than the photo! I'd never seen anything like that before. I scheduled a 3-hour appointment for the next day at the industry standard rate of about $100 per hour.
When I went in to get the work done I brought my wife, which probably made Tom a little nervous to be tattooing under the gaze of the person whose face is was putting onto my chest, but the work was brilliant! It took only two hours and was a very intricate piece (my wife has beautiful long and curly hair!) and I was so happy with it that I welled up. Within a week of the idea I had the first tattoo I ever considered ""art"" and a gift for my wife that no one had ever given to her before.
I simply can't understand the negative review above. Maybe the reviewer doesn't understand what real artists do. Tom was as dedicated to my piece as though he were putting it on himself. Such care and consideration! I suppose if you're looking for an impulse tat, something cheesy like a heart on your ankle or a ""tramp stamp"" you could visit one of the dozens of shops set up in the same area as Mystic Art, but if you want something you're forever proud of, needled into you by a real artist--someone who will care for your tattoo as much as you do--then visit Mystic Art and talk with Tom and Brenda. You won't be disappointed!
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