Maya gave me my first tattoo about a million years ago (okay, actually it's more like going on 18 years now) and even as a young sapling ;-), did amazing work. I've continued to follow her work over the years, even though I've since relocated from Brooklyn to Portland, Oregon.
When I found out several years ago that she'd opened her own shop, I was absolutely stoked about it, and made sure to bring extra cash on one of my trips back so I could get my next tattoo done. It only seemed right that I should go to Third Eye to get my second tattoo, since Maya had done my first.
Unfortunately, being a walk-in, Maya wasn't available to do the work, but I felt completely in good hands at the shop and was willing to let one of the other artists do the work. It's been 6 years now since that day, and I don't remember the name of the guy who did my tattoo, but I can say without a doubt that as I sit here today and write this, my tattoo STILL looks absolutely GREAT and has ""aged"" well. I get compliments on it all the time, and people are often surprised to learn that I've had it for as long as I have.
When I first walked into the shop, the first thing I noticed was how clean and professional it was. I was actually VERY impressed. I'd been in other shops in and around NY, and Portland as well, and Third Eye is still the nicest shop I've been in. It's a great atmosphere, the staff is very professional but laid back, and what I really appreciated was that none of it was intimidating the way some shops can really be. I've walked into shops since then to inquire about having work done, and have often felt a weird aura of disdain towards me because I definitely look more ""mainstream"" on the surface. Or, the places have just seemed unkempt, and that's just NOT something I'm willing to take a chance with.
I've had two tattoos done since getting my second tattoo at Third Eye; the other two, I had done at a small shop in Seattle. BAD IDEA. They suck complete and total ASS. Needless to say, I'll be getting them repaired at Third Eye. Lesson learned, I should have just stuck with my gut and held out for my next trip back to Brooklyn.
I'm planning a trip hopefully in the next month or so, and will ABSOLUTELY be getting work done at Third Eye when I go. It's worth the wait for me, worth the trip, and is the only place I'd trust to have myself permanently altered in such a deeply personal way.
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