Atomic Tattoo And Body Piercing

09/26/10

Worst Tattoo Experience Ever!

by MikeRatherson at Citysearch

In 2000, I moved to Austin the & wanted to mark the occasion by getting my 1st Tattoo. I drove by Atomic North dozens of times and finally decided to check it out. I looked through a portfolio by an artist named "Tim." (He's not there anymore thank God!) His portfolio looked respectable and I had a picture of the exact tattoo I wanted, a tribal Shark Circle. I thought it would simple enough and paid $90.

"Tim" then proceeded to deface my chest deeply and tattooing his square version of my drawing larger than the drawing, off center without even stenciling or drawing on me 1st, Being a 1st timer I thought this was normal. There was so much blood, he cut deep,a and it was on my chest so I couldn't see what he was doing. It hurt like hell.

When "Tim" was done I had a square tattoo instead of a circular one in the drawing i gave him. I was in shock that this jerk would deface my body so badly rather than refer me to someone who knew what they were doing. The owner of Atomic North saw the picture and theTim's horrible results the next day. None of the shark fins or tails were the same size and it looked nothing like the drawing. The owner actually gave me a full refund because "Tim" did such an awful job. But I've had to live with this monstrosity for 10 years now, and it sadens me whenever I look at it.

There was no L.A. Ink show back then. Kat Von D & Cory Miller, 2 of the best tattoo artists in the world, will DRAW FREEHAND on someone occasionally, and then OK it with the client, but they never ever TATTOO FREEHAND. If only show like L.A. Ink existed in 2000.

I ran into "Tim" at the old Ritz Club on 6th months later and he tried to talk to me. I said simply, "I recognize you. I don't ever want to talk to you. You ruined my life."

I hope "Tim" is out of the tattoo business am disgusted with Atomic North for hiring someone so inexperienced who has scarred me for life with an awful tattoo! The only reason I didn't give them a 0 rating is because it wouldn't let me.

05/29/10

Chris at Atomic on 183 was great!!

by StarrBlossem at Citysearch

I went to Christ a little over a year ago and got my husbands name tattooed on my rite inner forearm. HE DID AN AMAZING JOB on it...totally exceeded my expectations! It was only my 3rd tattoo so I was a little nervous but he totally made me feel at ease shooting the s*@t and cracking jokes and was NOT unprofessional ONE TIME!! My brother in law stayed with m while I was getting it done and he LOVED the work so much he is going to Chris when he is ready for his second. My best friend and I are going in next month to get matching tattoos and using Chris. So is my husband when he gos in to get our 4 kids names done. I have had SO MANY compliments on the quality of work on my arm and I always recomend Chris when someone I know is looking for an artist. I cant wait to go back and get MORE!!

• Pros: great work, fair pricing, fun atmosphere
• Cons: none

05/04/10

Mike Pain is the best.

by StefSayer at Citysearch

I recently finished a two tattoo project with Mike Pain at Atomic Tattoo & Body Piercing on Burnet. From the time I started to explain the idea until the finishing touches, this tattoo was a great experience.

When a person wants a tattoo, they don't realize what it takes to put the design idea onto paper, and then onto skin. Mike was clear on exactly what was possible and took all the print outs and randomness of my idea and turned it into something really beautiful.

The lines are so perfect, and the fill is even and bright. I have strangers comment on how cool it looks. In fact, I'm not planning on going to any one else anytime soon.

If you're looking to get a tattoo, do yourself a favor and prepare the idea before you go in. Go look at tattoo books, print out ideas, write up a list of what’s most important. In short, know what you want -but BE OPEN to the artist’s suggestions. You will have a much more positive experience.

If you want the best, go to Mike Pain!

:)Stef

• Pros: Honest, Clean, Amazing work
• Cons: None.

04/04/10

My First Tattoo

by cbfleischmann at Citysearch

I got my first tattoo at the Burnett location tonight. Dallas was the artist I worked with. Walking in at 9ish, being kind of a yuppy-looking late 30s guy, I wasn't made to feel unwelcome or "what are you doing here?" He worked with me on the vague idea I had in my head for what I wanted and sketched out a great design. He could tell I was nervous (or maybe I came out and told him, I don't remember!) but he gave me a good idea of what I was getting into, kept me informed along the way to let me know how close to being done he was, and in general was quick, skilled (as far as I can tell so far), and professional. The place was clean, well lit, and in general pretty approachable. He even took a picture of it for me with my cell phone before covering it, geek that I am. He said he was new at the studio and didn't have written instructions for after-care, but he went over them verbally several times. He covered it with saran wrap, which I guess is a personal preference, but there is where written instructions would have helped allay my concerns when the first thing I read after googling "how to care for my new tattoo" said "saran wrap....bad!"

All in all, I'm pleased with my experience there and my new tattoo. I would recommend them.

• Pros: Professional, quality, friendly
• Cons: Artist didn't provide written after-care instructions

03/14/10

sorry bout your bad luck, but...

by LaylaGirl at Citysearch

I've had several tattoos and ear stretchings done at the Burnet location, and while I can understand why some people might feel intimidated... you should know that a tattoo is not going to help your self esteem if you're already having issues:( I have had nothing but great experiences here, and I have referred many of my friends and coworkers. I just read some of the not so shining reviews and I noticed that each one specifies that' the person ' giving the review was dressed like a dork and 'wah-wah-wah' was treated like crap. Not to mention they each strategically put the name of a competing tattoo shop in their reviews. Kinda dooshy if you ask me. Yes there are a ton of good shops around Austin, but from my experiences, I haven't seen anything out there that makes me want to switch shops. I recommend you only go to Atomic if you want a serious tattoo, not if you're looking for someone to blow hot air up your rear to make you comfortable.

• Pros: Artists all have extensive experience & backgrounds
• Cons: Other tattoo shops are jealous;)