Tattooing in Rhode Island

Gregory Arpin, Unicorn Ink Tattoo

What’s your background?
I’ve been tattooing (professionally) for about nine years now. I grew up as a normal hardworking guy with three jobs, but had always been keen on art and design. It wasn’t until I started getting my own tattoos that I became interested in tattooing and expressing my art on paper. It was the best choice I’ve ever made.

Where do you currently work?
I’m currently a tattoo artist and part owner at Unicorn Ink Tattoo and Piercing in North Providence. I’m also a professional piercer here (three years now).

How would you describe your style?
Color, color and more color! I love anything that involves multiple color palettes and abstract art. Anything from polka-trash to watercolor to modern, out-of-the-norm tattoos.

Why did you choose this line of work?
I love my job. I get to work on my own schedule and put tattoos on awesome people who get to enjoy it for the rest of their life. One of my favorite things is being able to watch every client’s face when they first look at their tattoos in the mirror. Even more so if they have tears of joy. There’s nothing more rewarding than being proud of your work and wanting to come to work every day.

What’s your most memorable piece of tattoo art?
That’s a tough one. I would have to say my most memorable piece was the tattoo I did on my mom. She had always been against tattoos and it wasn’t until my grandmother passed away that she decided to get one. Memorial tattoos have always been touching for me too, when clients open up and talk about their lost loved ones. That’s when tattooing becomes very emotional to me, and when I enjoy it the most.

What’s your favorite tattoo on your body?
Definitely my three dogs’ portraits. They’ve since passed away.

Jay Blackburn, Powerline Tattoo

Where do you currently work?
I work out of Powerline Tattoo in Cranston. I was part of their startup crew when they opened in 2011, and since then the studio has grown into an impressive group of well-rounded artists. I’m proud to be a part of such a talented team.

How would you describe your style?
I would describe my style as new school illustrative. For the most part, I tend to focus on bold lines, bright saturated color, twisting the perspective, a dash of realism and a strong focus on readability.

Why did you choose this line of work?
Being into art and graphic design for a large portion of my life, I choose tattooing because I think it is the ultimate art form. It is an honor to be part of an industry that has such an impact on so many different people, and allows them to express themselves through art. I also enjoy the challenge of tattooing, as well as the focus and determination it requires. And it’s a whole lot of fun!

What’s your most memorable tattoo?
Wow, there are so many! Each tattoo I do brings its own challenges. One specific tattoo that I really enjoyed doing was a full color Transformer sleeve. And I love all the anchor pieces I’ve done. I really dig anchors!

What’s your favorite piece of art on your body?
All the tattoos I have are tribal, tribal and even more tribal! In fact, a lot of my early practice came from working on my own leg! So my tribal is sentimental for the fact that it is a testament to the progress I’ve made over the years. I’m also planning on getting some new work soon!

Kevin Borowski, Owner, Iron Hand Tattoo

What’s your background?
I’ve been into drawing for my whole life, but I started tattooing in the Boston area in 1992. I came to RI a few years later and worked at Art Freak Tattoo for a few years, then worked at a tattoo shop in Woonsocket for 13 years.

Where do you currently work?
I own and tattoo at Iron Hand Tattoo in Cranston, which I opened in 2010.

How would you describe your style?
I’d say my style is a mix of traditional American and Japanese styles, with some comic book influence thrown in.

Why did you choose this line of work?
I got into tattoos from going to punk shows in the ’80s. At first I liked it as an anti-social movement, but I eventually dug deeper and fell in love with the art form and its history. I’ve pretty much been obsessed with tattooing since I was a teenager.

What’s your most memorable piece of tattoo art?
I’ve done so many now that they all blur together. It’s special for the person who gets it.

What’s your favorite piece of art on your body?
I can’t pick out a specific one, but for me it’s about the people involved. I have a few by local veterans like Buddy Mott and Ronnie Daigle (of Ronnie’s Tattoos on Eddy St), both of whom left a lasting mark on the scene in RI. I also have a few memorable ones that I got in Japan, which was pretty big for me.

What’s your background?
Before I started tattooing, I was mostly playing drums. I’ve been getting tattoos for 22 years, and I’ve had my shop for 7.

Where do you currently work?
I own Providence Tattoo, and we have locations on Thayer and Atwells. I still tattoo at both locations.

How would you describe your style?
I’d say it’s traditional with an illustrative flair. I was trained in the traditional methods of tattooing, but I’m heavily influenced by illustrators like Charles Dana Gibson and Aubrey Beardsley.

Why did you choose this line of work?
I chose this in part because I didn’t think I could hold down a regular job. I tried, but it just didn’t fit with me.

What’s your most memorable piece of tattoo art?
I don’t think there’s one that’s more memorable than another. Every project is equally important.

What’s your favorite piece of art on your body?
I can’t say I have a favorite of those, either. I’ve been getting tattoos for so long, at this point, it’s just become one whole body of work.

Rob Simas, Part Owner, Richmond St Tattoo

What’s your background?

I have been tattooing for 18 years and piercing for eight years. I kinda fell into the industry, really. I was supposed to be going to school for animation and had a career ahead of me with Pixar, but months before I graduated started hanging out with a local artist who was doing all my friends’ tattoos. I was amazed by what went into tattooing and how you could put your artwork on people and they became a living canvas that traveled the world. I started with that artist drawing designs for his clients, and soon after he started my apprenticeship.

Where do you currently work?

I am part owner of Richmond St Tattoo in downtown Providence.

How would you describe your style?

My style is a mix really of things I’ve learned over the years from other artists and things I taught myself. But I’m big on comic/cartoon style, Japanese, realistic, black & grey — I don’t limit my style.

How did you get into this line of work?

I really didn’t pick this line of work; I feel it chose me. I love art and tattoos, so to be able to put my art on people’s bodies is amazing. To have people come from all over to get work done is a very humbling experience.

What’s your most memorable piece of tattoo art?

I can’t really say I have one because there are so many awesome tattoos I’ve done. But if I had to pick, it would be the ones on my friends and family. Some of them just gave me an idea and free range to create something amazing.

What’s your favorite piece of art on your body?

My favorite tattoo is by far my portrait of Beast from the X-Men comic done by Poch. He’s my favorite artist and someone I look up to, so to have a tattoo done by someone like that is awesome on so many levels.

Luke Taylor, Hope Street Tattoo

What’s your background?
I started oil painting at a local studio at the age of 10 in 1980. I started airbrushing at the age of 13, and immediately after graduation from high school landed a full time position as art director and graphic artist at a printing company. I then was introduced to a local tattooer named Rodney Dolbec who opened Wheels Tattooing in 1991. He traded airbrush work for tattoos, and eventually landed an apprenticeship in 1992. Rodney died in 1993, and in 1994 I opened the first all-custom tattoo studio known as Renaissance Tattoo. Still on Main Street in Woonsocket for over 20 years, Renaissance offers a wide array of tattooing to the masses.

How would you describe your style?
My style is 100% realism in color, and in black and gray.

Why did you choose this line of work?

I chose this line of work totally by accident when Rodney of Wheels offered me the position. I was still a full-time artist at the printing firm.

What’s your most memorable piece of tattoo art?
My most memorable tattoo was on a 70+ year old man whose wife left him after 50 years of marriage. I tattooed her portrait on his arm. It was half as she was, and half corpse. Never forget it.

What’s your favorite tattoo on your body?
My favorite tattoo is of Baphomet invading a Catholic church on my right forearm. I got it in New York by Amar from Amsterdam, and sat for my longest sitting to date — six hours. I got that tattoo over 20 years ago.