‘my Tattoos Tell My Story’
Nearly 15 years later and sporting the 12-by-2-foot Tattoos sign on the front of his building that originally hung outside of Genes Body Art World, a relic he purchased as an homage to his former mentor after his passing I do tattoos and piercings, Rodriguez said.
Some artists specialize in traditional tattoos while others do portraits, dramatic neo-traditional tattoos, black and gray or color styles, etc., but I dont hold myself to one particular style, he said. I do everything.
When I first started out, I never thought wed see dedicated tattoo shows on TV or YouTube, but the tattoo industry has exploded because the art form is so expressive, said Rodriguez, who noted that the tattoos covering 90% of his body tell his life story. Some people have photo albums, but my tattoos tell my story I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing with each tattoo.
Given the current popularity of tattoos one study estimates that nearly half of all Americans under age 40 have at least one tattoo we charge a minimum of $100 for basic, simple tattoos, such as a script name, which takes anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes, Rodriguez said of the all-custom artwork he and fellow tattoo artist RJ Higgins perform in his shop.
Electric Tattoo: Love of art and ‘forbidden fruit’ drives Asbury Park studio
Customers From Bikers To Priests
Rodriguez said that the skys the limit when it comes to todays tattoo concepts.
Years ago, youd pick a design off the wall, but today people come in with images from the internet or in their mind that they want you to work with, he said. As a result, theres no one hot tattoo or set theme from a skull or a religious icon to something floral, a Polynesian style, or something else, its whatever the person wants and I love that every day is different. People come in with a concept and we bring that vision to reality.
Like it did 50 years ago, “the process still involves needles, ink, a machine and someone with the knowledge to use them, Rodriguez said.
But today, the technology has advanced. Its essentially an operation in which were cutting open the skin and pushing ink under it, he said, but the inks are now all pre-sterilized and the tools and machines we use are smaller and more precise.
Atlantic Highlands:George R.R. Martin among stars appearing at Kevin Smith’s movie theater
At the same time, he noted that his extensive client base has changed over the years. Thirty years ago, people who came in for tattoos were mostly bikers, people in the military, and bad boys, he said. Today, its doctors, lawyers, tons of women and even priests.
Looking ahead, Rodriguez said, I love what I do and I hope to keep the shop going and maybe someday hand it over to my teenage son Ray, whos an artist.
Other Reviews From The Web
- Average Rating
- 100
It took 3 bad tattoos for me to realize that I needed to stop going to random walk in tattoo shops/random tattoo artists and to start going to Oscar at first class. Pretty much everyone I know…
Posted by Ashleigh K. on December 31, 2015.Brought to you by yahoolocal.
- Average Rating
- 20
So unfortunately I’m not happy. At all.. The ink bled into my skin so now it looks like a have a big black and blue mark on my hip I got a cover up done and the dude didn’t even cover the whole initial tattoo.. Another thing.. The pot leaf he drew on me we leafy and feminine and the one he tattooed on me is
You May Like: Make A Tattoo Appointment Online
How Rocker Bret Michaels Helped An Atlantic Highlands Tattoo Artist Turn His Life Around
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS – Growing up in Neptune, Tony Rodriguez experienced some of lifes hardest knocks. But with a combination of creativity, optimism and opportunity, the entrepreneur and owner of Tattoo Tonys Under My Skin Tattoo Studio in Atlantic Highlands has become one of the areas most well-known tattoo artists and is renowned for helping clients express themselves through body art.
A child of divorce, my mother left me and my sister when I was 11, said Rodriguez, 49, an Atlantic Highlands resident. My dad did the best he could to make money and raise us, but Ive basically been on my own since I was 13.
To bring in a few dollars of his own, the industrious teen pursued a local opportunity.
There was a tattoo shop called Genes Body Art World around the corner from us in Asbury Park and I went there to see if I could help straighten up or clean the floors to make money, he said. I wound up staying there for 10 years and ultimately became a tattoo artist.
Over the next decade, I worked at Genes on and off as well as at other locations in the Shore area, Rodriguez said. Gene taught a lot of people who are in the business today and at one point he had five shops throughout Monmouth and Ocean County. I helped him run his Asbury Park shop and assisted him in opening his Long Branch location.
‘Punk rock’ welding:It’s what drives Netflix ‘Metal Shop Masters’ judge at her Lacey business
Employees: Estimated 1 To 4
- There are 3 tenants located at .
- Hair & Beauty Supplies, Service & Equipment, Tattooing, Cosmetics Retail, Body Piercing & Tattoos, Cosmetics & Perfumes Retail43 New Ct
- Eatontown, NJ 07724 Monmouth County
- Eatontown, NJ 07724 Monmouth County
- Electrolysis, Hair & Beauty Supplies, Service & Equipment, Tattooing, Body Piercing & Tattoos1025 State Route 35 Asbury Park, NJ 07712 Monmouth County
Also Check: 3d Nipple Tattoo Breast Cancer
Back To Normal: First Class Tattoo Keeps Things Moving
Article sponsored by
Article sponsored by
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2022. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
In June 2020, we spoke with Mikhail Anderson, owner of First Class Tattoo, about his experience closing up shop and adjusting to life during COVID-19. We recently caught up with Mikhail as First Class Tattoo is coming back to almost normal over a year after lockdown.
Who or what was your inspiration in becoming involved in the tattoo industry? Have you worked in any other mediums?
I studied graphic design in college, and we used to draw with pencil and charcoal, and I also love painting in watercolor. My inspiration was the freedom of living anywhere I want while tattooing, not tied to a country or area. Being a tattoo artist gave me that freedom and introduced me to a lot of new and interesting people as clients and artists.
When you meet with a client, what is the creative process like?
I prefer to meet in person to get a feel for what the client wants and what the best approach for the process should be. I also love creative freedom because it gives me more possibilities to create something unique and beautiful. I usually take pictures of the persons placement on the body, review the references and ideas and take it from there.
Your wife is a tattoo artist herself with her own room at your shop, how is it working alongside her and what do you learn from each other?
Tips & Reviews For 1st Class Tattooing
no deliveryaccepts credit cardsbike parking
- May 2021
Came in to finish up my sleeve with Angie and mid tattoo a giant spider the size of a quarter came crawling down spiders are my biggest fear when I told this to Angie she quickly and in under 4 seconds got the spider outside and went back to finishing up my tattoo without missing a beat truly the most AMAZING tattoo artist ever and also a superhero !
- Mar 2021
Had been using another studio on previous 4 large color pieces, however artists moved to black/grey only, and I wanted to stick with color for traditional or neotraditional designs. 1st class was local and I was impressed with the designs on their Instagram feed from Angie. Started following her Instagram feed and was impressed with her colors, designs, shadowing, line work etc. Sent her a question about a piece she did, she was super informative on her reply, then called the shop for appt. They were professional from the 1st call, deposit, text confirmation, etc. I sent Harlequinn_ink my ideas via instagram, which she collected to discuss day before…read full review
- Jan 2021
Travis was amazing. He knew exactly what I wanted and sketched this up and made it work with my existing tattoo! Everything was very clean and sterile! This man is everything you could ask for in a tattoo artist! He will be my artist for life!!!
Also Check: Can You Get A Tattoo Over Laser Removal
My First Tattoo By Angie At 1st Class Tattooing In Long Branch Nj
If you are visiting r/tattoos for the first time, or visiting from r/all, Warning please be aware of ALL of the rules in the sidebar and stickied threads before posting. Common issues that WILL get you banned are any comments on personal appearance, promotion/advertising/OF/contests etc., aftercare/medical advice or questions, and trolling.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.