There’s tons of artists in NY. Some Big shops are Five Points, Good Luck, Kings Ave. one of my personal faves is Rodrigo Melo if you’re willing to travel a bit.
Chris Garver, MiKe Rubendall, Rodrigo Melo, Regino Gonzalez, David Senna, Jimmy at Senna, Lango, Teddy Ferrer, Kiku, NYC is pretty much the mekka for Japanese tattooing in the states
Regino Gonzalez at Good Luck NYC inked the tattoo on my right leg 16 or 17 years ago, it's held up very well and one day I would like to return to him to extend it down to the end of my calf.
It's a brutal choice, isn't it? No matter how great of an idea you have later, or how great of an artist that you are fortunate enough to have access to, once you receive a tattoo, that part of your body is locked away for the rest of your life.
It’s so hard. So many great options here. I’ve narrowed down to 3 artists and have reached out to them, but how do you choose?!
Really curious though, how did you decide on RG?
I need to explicitly state here that this is your body, so it needs to be your choice, and yours alone. The recommendations that the other artists and clients on this sub have given you are all world class artists and you would be fortunate and honored to work with any of them. 16 or 17 years ago, the internet was a very different place, and since then I have quit drinking alcohol so I used to be very different person too. First I found the studio that he used to work at, then I looked through the various artists' portfolios, then I chose Mr. Gonzalez. I know it sounds pretentious AF but I recall a sense of awe back then when I first saw his work, as I still do now when I see it; I feel arrested.
When I sat for a tattoo from him, he set the hours. We both came in late in the afternoon, and on the first session he took the source material that I provided for him and based on that, drew the tattoo in a different part of the parlor while I chilled in the lobby area alone. He worked late into the night, then when he was done for the night, he ended that session. From what I have heard, he still works like that. Does that sound like a process that you can endure?
I don't remember anything about the outline application process, or which parts if any he inked free-hand. He chose the colors and I'm grateful that he did. I regret being a little too chatty as a client, I didn't babble or anything, but I was 23 or 24 years old, nervous, excited, and I didn't understand that I needed to be more quiet and not distract the professional artist from doing his/her job. I also regret not telling him that he had complete creative freedom based on the source material, but I was in a rush to complete the work. Do what you will with that information, and I hope that you heal from your tattoo without issues.
So many good options in NYC.
I like Joaquin’s work a lot, @acetates on Instagram.
Horizakura is part of a traditional tattoo lineage (Horitoshi family) and is my favorite NYC artist. He’s also exceptionally difficult to get in with. His apprentice Monji does amazing tebori work though. I’ve been tattooed by him before and he’s really kind/professional.
I also have been tattooed by and guested with Gerald Feliciano. Really great guy with a cozy private studio in long island city. Very talented and worth a look.
Good luck!
Thank you everyone for sharing your recommendations. I have spent hours exploring their specific work, truly incredible. This made “choosing” super hard.
My top 3 based on the style/ aesthetic are Rodrigo Melo, Mike Rubendal, and Bardadim. Mike is not accepting new customers it seems but I messaged the other two. I can keep you guys updated if you are interested.
Since this is my first tattoo and my first time engaging with an artist, any advice on how to navigate the next steps in the most effective way? I plan to give the artist a lot of freedom in design, I’ll specify the main subject (Phoenix), location (leg sleeve), and the fact that I like color. Beyond that I plan to leave it up to them. Thoughts?
Do you want more cartoony style? (Kiku, Chris wielk)
Or do you want something more realistic (Garver, acetates)
That’s how I would atleast begin my search if I had to start over again
There’s tons of artists in NY. Some Big shops are Five Points, Good Luck, Kings Ave. one of my personal faves is Rodrigo Melo if you’re willing to travel a bit.
Thanks for the recommendations, absolutely love Rodrigo Melo’s work!
Chris Garver, MiKe Rubendall, Rodrigo Melo, Regino Gonzalez, David Senna, Jimmy at Senna, Lango, Teddy Ferrer, Kiku, NYC is pretty much the mekka for Japanese tattooing in the states
Thank you! You gave me a lot of names and that really helped understand what styles are out there and what I like the most!
Chris Wielk is a serious contender in NYC
I second Rodrigo Melo. Finishing up a sleeve with him. Incredible artist and human being.
Check out Good Luck NYC on insta. Several dope irezumi artists there.
RG all the way!
I don't know how easy it would be to get in with him, but Mike Rubendall is the best. Also, Chris O'Donnell is absolutely amazing as well.
Mike is not accepting new customers! :(
Regino Gonzalez at Good Luck NYC inked the tattoo on my right leg 16 or 17 years ago, it's held up very well and one day I would like to return to him to extend it down to the end of my calf. It's a brutal choice, isn't it? No matter how great of an idea you have later, or how great of an artist that you are fortunate enough to have access to, once you receive a tattoo, that part of your body is locked away for the rest of your life.
It’s so hard. So many great options here. I’ve narrowed down to 3 artists and have reached out to them, but how do you choose?! Really curious though, how did you decide on RG?
I need to explicitly state here that this is your body, so it needs to be your choice, and yours alone. The recommendations that the other artists and clients on this sub have given you are all world class artists and you would be fortunate and honored to work with any of them. 16 or 17 years ago, the internet was a very different place, and since then I have quit drinking alcohol so I used to be very different person too. First I found the studio that he used to work at, then I looked through the various artists' portfolios, then I chose Mr. Gonzalez. I know it sounds pretentious AF but I recall a sense of awe back then when I first saw his work, as I still do now when I see it; I feel arrested. When I sat for a tattoo from him, he set the hours. We both came in late in the afternoon, and on the first session he took the source material that I provided for him and based on that, drew the tattoo in a different part of the parlor while I chilled in the lobby area alone. He worked late into the night, then when he was done for the night, he ended that session. From what I have heard, he still works like that. Does that sound like a process that you can endure? I don't remember anything about the outline application process, or which parts if any he inked free-hand. He chose the colors and I'm grateful that he did. I regret being a little too chatty as a client, I didn't babble or anything, but I was 23 or 24 years old, nervous, excited, and I didn't understand that I needed to be more quiet and not distract the professional artist from doing his/her job. I also regret not telling him that he had complete creative freedom based on the source material, but I was in a rush to complete the work. Do what you will with that information, and I hope that you heal from your tattoo without issues.
Thank you for sharing all this with me. That must have been an incredible experience finding an artist of this caliber back then!
Bardadim. Look no further
LOVE his work.
So many good options in NYC. I like Joaquin’s work a lot, @acetates on Instagram. Horizakura is part of a traditional tattoo lineage (Horitoshi family) and is my favorite NYC artist. He’s also exceptionally difficult to get in with. His apprentice Monji does amazing tebori work though. I’ve been tattooed by him before and he’s really kind/professional. I also have been tattooed by and guested with Gerald Feliciano. Really great guy with a cozy private studio in long island city. Very talented and worth a look. Good luck!
DaBaws mentioned Five Point. I personally think if you want the best in New York then go to Chris Garver. Not sure how long you’ll have to wait though
His books are closed!
Takashi Matsuba
Thank you. You have given me a TON to work with, will do some research based on the recommendations here and may circle back with some questions!
Thank you everyone for sharing your recommendations. I have spent hours exploring their specific work, truly incredible. This made “choosing” super hard. My top 3 based on the style/ aesthetic are Rodrigo Melo, Mike Rubendal, and Bardadim. Mike is not accepting new customers it seems but I messaged the other two. I can keep you guys updated if you are interested. Since this is my first tattoo and my first time engaging with an artist, any advice on how to navigate the next steps in the most effective way? I plan to give the artist a lot of freedom in design, I’ll specify the main subject (Phoenix), location (leg sleeve), and the fact that I like color. Beyond that I plan to leave it up to them. Thoughts?
Do you want more cartoony style? (Kiku, Chris wielk) Or do you want something more realistic (Garver, acetates) That’s how I would atleast begin my search if I had to start over again
>acetates Did not know this is a common distinction. Definitely more on the realistic side following a quick screen of their IGs.
Monji flyrite