Black Cat Tattoo Studio

Stop your search, pick up the phone and call BlackCat to book a consultation…seriously just do it! If the artist you want to do the work can’t do it right away, be patient and don’t compromise. If you still need convincing, here it goes.

So, I got a couple tattoos back in my early 20’s. Since then I have always wanted another, but was waiting for something to inspire me. Very long story short, last year I got struck by lightning on a boat trip surfing in Costa Rica. Thankfully, I survived and there was my inspiration! I am a super analytical guy, and over the past year did a ton of researching shops and artists all over Oahu looking for the best. Thankfully, all signs kept pointing to Black Cat and I finally made the decision to get the ball rolling.

Though a couple other artists there had some work that inspired me, as I dug through all the pictures I could find I had a strong feeling Richie was the one. I went down to the shop not quite knowing what to expect, but from the moment I walked in I know I had made the right choice. Everyone was super friendly off the bat and that was the case over the 20+ hours I ended up spending there before my piece was complete. Richie has an amazing group of artists at his shop, and all have their own unique talent. Unfortunately, Richie was at a convention but I was given Dave’s (his assistant) number and called him when I got back home. Dave (another awesome guy) was super helpful and gave me the rundown on everything. The pricing was very fair, especially considering level of talent that we are talking about. I guess I was naïve, and thought I would just hop in and maybe the next day be able to get started…but when you are looking to work with the best I should have known I would have to wait. So, got myself in the calendar for a consult with Richie.

About a week later headed back to the shop to have my consult. I gave him my story and we spent a bit discussing my ideas and where I wanted it to go. That was where I had my first sense of Richie’s artistic genius. He got it immediately and said he would love to do it…so went and paid my deposit and patiently waited for my first session. The day finally came and got there a bit early anxious to get started. After a little paperwork, Richie and I sat down and continued our discussion from the consult. He had some great ideas and explained how he would lay it out directly on my arm with some red and green markers then get started. I did the research, loved what he did, and had the faith he would do something amazing. So, I took the plunge and he got started.

We spent the next 10 hours listening to some great tunes, rapping about all kinds of stuff…and the whole time Richie was creating an amazing piece of art. We took a few short breaks, he generously bought me dinner, and I left very late that evening in awe of what he had laid down. Such precise artistry tying together everything perfectly…I could not wait for my second session to finish it up. We got all the line work and a good chunk of the color done, so the next session was mostly color and tying things out. A few weeks later, that time came and had another great time watching this master work his talent. I wanted a bunch of color and am still blown away by the choices he made (I gave him tons of leeway on where to go with it all). After another extremely enjoyable session the piece was finished and I could not be happier with the end results.

I could go on and on about Richie, and feel so fortunate to have gotten to know him and proud to have been his canvas. Throughout the time I was at BlackCat, I got to check out the work others were doing…all top notch. With such a diverse bunch of talented artists, I am sure you will be able to find someone that suits your style, just check out their work here and on instagram from their website. Thanks again Richie, now I have to find another inspiration so I have an excuse to get another!

Enjoyed my session with Simon. He is super friendly, and easy to get along with. I was pretty nervous, but he made me feel really comfy. And also gave me a really great mandala thigh piece!

Sue was awesome and very professional with my second tattoo. She added beautiful shading and made it look awesome. I am definitely coming back as soon as I can.

Super clean and laid back! My husband and I got tattoos by Sue and they look AMAZING!!!! I love this shop and these artists, we're already planning our next trip for tattoos!

I was super pleased with Marie, I did not like the fact that the new receptionist (Tall Caucasian male replacing Kayla) tried too pull a fast one on my husband when I was getting work done. We each put a deposit ($100) down 3 weeks prior. My husband called 2 days later saying he wanted to cancel his appointment and asked to have his deposit transferred to me. The previous receptionist (a women named Kayla) said no problem and said she will let Simon know. So tonight we tell Marie as we are working out the pricing before she starts and she asks the new receptionist to figure it out with my husband so she can start.

The guy then tells my husband that the deposit wasn't transferred because Simon has already drawn up a design and he already has the $100. This is a lie because my husband never emailed him what he wanted. Which means that he wouldn't be able to draw the design. He then asks if we have a receipt, which my husband asked for but Kayla said there was no need because we'll be in the system.

Then he tried claiming my husbands name was never put in the system. So he looked up my name and he saw like oh she's in there and another guy (a guy that saw us 3 weeks ago who recently shaved his head) said they did put a deposit down I was here when they did and the new guy immediately says no he didn't and was persistent until the guy that remembered us said look under my name it says Simons deposit was there. The new guy was also surprised that my tattoo was going to be no more than $300 which $200 was already deposited.

So he then tells Marie that everything is cleared up and she said then why wasn't I given the deposit and he then lies to her and says that Simon already gave you the money. She said she would have remembered that and he then tells her oh I put it in your drawer. And she asked why there wasn't a note for it.

If you do get any work done here, please get a receipt and get names. If I ever do come back here again I will make sure Marie gets my deposit and that no one else touches my money but her. Marie's work is amazing and I will come to her when I want an amazing design drawn up from her.

Everyone is super friendly, and very down to earth. Amazing artists. Very clean shop, and with COVID, the sanitary conditions are immaculate. I love coming here.

Music was bomb as, decor was bomb as, artists are friendly, and their work is premium as. Shout out to Sue for my fresh ink!

Shay does great work with professionalism and makes it easy to get through the process.

Artistic.

Reception staff are super also.

there is no better tattoo studio on earth. for real. amazing art, clean, and every artist there is so nice, welcoming and friendly.

Richie is an amazing artist! He is super open and upfront with his availability.