When I moved to Richmond early last summer (2003) I was a little bit worried about being in a place where I didn't know anyone and leaving all my friends back in NC where I used to live. Added to that I had already gotten two fairly large tattoos at a studio where I used to live and had a good artist there who had been doing work for me. I was nervous about moving and having to try to find someone to work on me here in Richmond. All my worries were put at ease when I was directed to Alive Tattoo, just 10 minutes from my house, and home to two of the best fucking tattoo artists in Richmond (Tim Hoyer and Amy Black).
At A Glance Author sXeSparky9 Contact sXeSparky9@yahoo.com When Three months ago Artist Amy Black Studio Alive Tattoo Location Richmond, VA The first time I went in to check out the shop and portfolios and all that good stuff I was a bit anxious. I'm a weirdo I guess but I'm always a bit awkward the first time or two I go into a new shop. I don't really know why I guess I just don't want to come across as an ass or something. Anyway, I made my way up the steep decorated staircase to get up to the studio and was greeted by Amy Black. She was super cool and really made me feel welcome and comfortable instantly. There's something about her that really puts you at ease without her even trying. I looked through her portfolio and needless to say was VERY impressed. The photos of her work were absolutely awe-inspiring.
We started talking about random stuff really and then finally about some of my plans for the chest piece I had been planning for more than a year. I had already gotten a sacred heart on my sternum just before I moved up and was anxious to "get the ball rollin" on the rest. I was still a bit unsure of exactly what I wanted to do but found rather quickly that Amy and I think a lot alike and seemed to really be connecting creatively and artistically. I left very pleased with the conversation we had and an appointment for a more concentrated consultation. I couldn't wait to get some more finalized ideas going.
The next week I went back to the studio to meet with Amy and we got straight to work. She got a large piece of tracing paper to get some basic reference points of where she would be tattooing making marks for my collar bone, the sacred heart, my nipples, and all that good stuff. The we got talking again about exactly what we'd be doing all the while bouncing ideas off of each other and her making notes on her paper. The final product would consist of two swallows, one on either side of my chest with the words "Death Before Dishonor" (that's right I'm straight edge) across my collarbone. We would also build off of the background already started on the sacred heart and doing a little bit of reworking on the flame. I left again excited to see the drawings she was going to work on.
Yet another week later, the drawing was done and I was on my way to go check it out. When I saw the drawing I was absolutely floored. My jaw dropped, I couldn't talk, and I can't imagine I looked like anything less than a complete jackass. What I was looking at really was just that good. Just when I thought I had completely peeked on how excited I could be I was even more stoked to get started on the fun process of tattooing my chest. My appointment was set and I simply could not wait!
An excruciating six days later I was finally back at the studio ready to go. I went into the room, which is so immaculately clean and shrine-like, it still gets me to this day every time I see it, and took my shirt off. She shaved and prepped the area and then slowly and carefully began to place the stencils. She was very mindful of how things would stretch and checked everything very carefully at every angle with my chest stretched in every conceivable way to get the best placement. When everything was in place I got seated and situated while she finished setting up the machine and everything else. My heart was pounding like never before, needless to say I was nervous as shit. I knew I was going to be in for a hell of a time on my collarbone, sternum, and all the rest of my chest.
It was time to start. She started on the lettering. When the needle first started it didn't hurt nearly as bad as I thought it would at first. That only lasted a second or two and the all the pain and glory was on me. She had a really gentle touch though and again made me very comfortable and kept asking how I was doing. The first session (all the outlining) seemed to drag on forever when it was going on but then when we were finally done it seemed like I had only been there for 30 minutes when in fact it had actually been about three and a half hours. I set up an appointment for my next session, two weeks later, which we would color the swallows and lettering and then a third two weeks after that to rework the flame, finish the background, and tie up any other loose ends.
Round two came quick and I was again ready to go. When I got there Amy and Tim both commented on well I sat for my first session, which really gave me a confidence boost and made me feel pretty damn good. We got going again and I had another really good session. It was long too but I felt really good and it went without incident. The third and final session also came and went without anything out of the ordinary. The whole experience all in all was fantastic. I absolutely love my chest piece and I get tons of complements on it. I'm so proud to have a permanent symbol of my youth and freedom and even more importantly my commitment to straight edge. Also as Shannon has said so many times before, tattooing is such an amazing way to really grow as a person and understand yourself and all that good stuff.
Anyway, enough babbling about my chest, the point is Amy Black is fucking amazing and I get excited every time I go into the shop. I've already gotten a half sleeve under way but I'll write about that soon!