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| - I am a total tattoo snob. I earned the right...I wrote a book about tattoos and edited a tattoo magazine for a couple of years. The tattoo artist who finished the Medusa on my arm lives in Houston, Texas, but that was ok with me because he was one of the only people who could do my Medusa the way I wanted it.
There are few people in Charlotte who I'd let touch me with a needle, and almost all of them work at Ace. Some say that Ace is a little pricey, but you get what you pay for...cheaper places with quicker turnaround times are faster and cheaper for a reason...they are sucky.
I got tattooed today by Chris Stuart, and he was awesome. He's got great bedside manner, which is kind of rare in tattoo artists, who can kind of be divas sometimes. He drew the traditional-style rose right on me, and then he started lining and filling it in. The tattoo is on my wrist, which is a pretty painful spot, but Chris was gentle as a lamb with the shading...
I had to plan my tattoo a month in advance to be able to get an appointment with him, but it was absolutely worth it. You won't get better traditional work in Charlotte. All the others folks at Ace are first-rate artists as well, and Rodney Raines, the shop's owner and frontman, is one of the best-known names in the industry.
The shop is clean and professional, and their customer service speaks for itself. When you walk in the front door, check out the trophies in the window to the left. I also recommend skipping the flash section and letting one of the Ace guys draw something custom for you. Don't miss the chance to get your own beautiful art!
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