people are face down on leather massage tables getting extensive work done that was probably going to take hours. “Sorry, first time!” I shout. I ask Jon if he has a cookie. He brings me a Laffy Taffy and a lollipop. I devour the lollipop, then down a Dixie Cup filled with water. I don’t throw up, but damnit, it was a close call. That’s the thing about Black 13: a place that specializes in some serious inkwork can cater to some newb like me. Who knows, maybe this tattoo novice will be converted into a vet at the needles of Black 13. So what differentiates Doy’s place from other tattoo parlors? The entire space is open, so that people get tattooed in the same room and the artists can communicate with each other while they work. Doy also offers health insurance to his employees after six months. They even have William Ritter, a full-time staffer who’s responsible for setting up, cleaning, and tearing down every day so the artists can focus on what they’re good at. And according to Black 13’s website, they all know William, the deep cleaner, as Mr. Buttery Voice. And, then there’s the fact that many (not just one) of Black 13’s artists have developed reputations so noteworthy that people travel from everywhere to get inked. Josh Woods. His next opening is at least three months
out. And that’s only if your application suits him. If it’s not his specialty and won’t be at least a three-hour session, he won’t do it. No, it’s not because he’s an asshole. It’s because he’s an artist, and he wants the type of people who are planning on having pieces permanently embedded on their body to get the absolute best quality work. And, why shouldn’t he be picky about his craft? He’s the best of the best. If he doesn’t want to tattoo you, he doesn’t have to. There’s an array of other talent in the shop, ranging from Amanda Leadman, who has a knack for bird and flower imagery, to Marty “Riet” McEwen, whose gauged ears and clown tattoos will catch your eye just as much as his handiwork (devel-
IF HE DOESN’T WANT TO TATTOO YOU, HE DOESN’T HAVE TO.
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