Transformation Gallery & Tattoo

I had heard about Transformation when I was in college at MSU and was instantly attracted to the gallery. It isn't like any other tattoo shop I had ever been to. It is a beautiful art gallery that has chairs for their artists on the side of the gallery. It doesn't have that dirty, kind of trash feel to it like other shops have, so I was easily drawn towards getting work done there. There are 3 artists, Gabriel, Austin, and Josh. My husband and I have both gotten work done at Transformation and won't ever go anywhere else. When we were contemplating who to use, we thoroughly looked through the artists portfolios and were drawn towards Gabriel's portfolio. They are all amazing artists though and we wouldn't mind getting work done by Austin or Josh. One of the things I like most is he is willing to educate you on the art of tattoos and work with you on the piece he will create based on what you are wanting to convey in your tattoo and what will work best on your body. I am no expert in art, or the art of tattoos, so I definitely welcome his expertise when it comes to choosing the final project that will be on my body forever. I can tell him my idea, or an idea of what I am wanting, and he will give me options for that based on where I am wanting the tattoo and what will look best overall as an art piece. Yes, he does want to do "big" pieces (how most people covey his work), but I think of it like this, if you have an 8x8 canvas, would you only paint on 4x2 inches of that canvas? Why waste valuable space? It looks unfinished to an artist. You wouldn't buy a picture that had tons of white space left on the picture would you? As an artist, Gabriel sees your body as a canvas, so when you come to him and want a small tattoo, he doesn't see value in that. And for me, it makes total sense that he would only want to do true art for his portfolio.
Transformation is very clean. They are super detailed when it comes to making sure everything is as sanitary as possible. You can easily tell that everything is new, for you only, and if there's a chance that anything may cross-contaminate anything he is working with, it gets changed. They don't skimp in this area at all! So I never worry about anything along those lines.
Over the years, my husband and I have traveled to Springfield, from Kansas City, to see Gabriel for our tattoos. The drive is nothing to us to know we are getting the highest quality work! And if he ever moves, we will still travel to get our work done by him.
I also just had my naval pierced by Saville. She did a great job and explaining everything to me as far as the best jewelry to use, how to clean it, how long it will take to heal, and also let me pick out my own jewelry for her to order so I can get that next time we go down. She is super chill and fun to be around and I hardly felt the piercing. Naturally, being at Transformation, her tools are sanitary as well and she follows strict procedures while piercing you.
I would highly recommend Transformation Gallery for anyone looking for a tattoo or a piercing. Like I said above, it's the only place we will ever go!

Amazing shop. Environment and vibe is very professional yet fun. Austin Evans is you guy if you want excellent work! A+++. My wife and I will never go anywhere else for out Tattoos.

Transformation Gallery houses three very prominent talents, there is no argument in that. This being said: their talent is no excuse for poor behavior and indirect bickering.

Allow me to start off by saying that I know a thing or two about art. I've been acknowledged more than once for my work, and I come from a family of business and painters. Transformation Gallery has only held ts head above water on the basis of talent, and in the area in which they are stationed. Of COURSE they are a few of the best tattoo artists in the state of Missouri. It's MISSOURI. We aren't known for our ink.

The supposed big-boss man, Gabe, is pompous and hard to talk to. He is set firmly in his ideals of a meager portfolio, and likes to claim some great 'status' in the community, where Kaleidoscope down the road doesn't even know he exists. His ego was actually larger than a Goodyear blimp and jumbo-jet set nose to nose. Gabe isn't even the best artist there-- probably because he refuses to flex in 'what he already knows'. For a big budget tattooer, he sure doesn't when to give and take on customer desires.
Just to let you in on how egotistical this man is, he considers himself above Katherine von Drachenberg in talent. He said that. I snorted.

If you're insistent in getting a quality tattoo from Transformation, hit it up with Josh and Austin. Not only are they disgustingly professional with a needle, but they'll be willing to listen and compromise as long as they are without Gabe looming over both their shoulders.

Austin is quick to follow store policy, and needs to work on his communication skills, but he's overall a good guy with a super chill personality. Josh is who you want if your looking for customer satisfaction. He is very, very sweet and very respectful. He made me feel comfortable, even in turning me away due to my status as a minor. He made room for my coming in sooner rather than later (which makes me wonder why these boys put up the facade of being booked without bothering to look at schedules?) I'd only request that he learn to pay more attention. Even after handing him my ID, he failed to realize my birthdate of 1997.

To be honest, I feel as though it's a sort blessing that i was turned away the day of my appointment. I've since discovered that Transformation has a reputation for being homophobic, which is super disappointing. Shame on them. If you're looking for a no-hassle experience, head on over to Ink Ink just down the road. Those girls are crazy talented and not at all cocky.

Edit: Seeing the reply to this review, I must chuckle. I am 17 years old, however, that wasnt the issue at hand. I ABSOLUTELY respect the moral of the client, as I AM underage, and tattooing me wouldnt settle well with everyone. I've made that perfectly clear to you, Gabe. The issue was a disrespectful artist whom insisted that he was 'in-demand' , and a step above the rest, as well as a notable lack of customer service. There are, ONCE AGAIN, artists in greater demand than Gabe who show some iota of self-respect, and respect for the client.

My tattoo came out just as well without a cocky vice.

Saville did an amazing job piercing me, Id recommend her to others. She was very calming in the consultation and helped me understand fully what was going to happen. The staff here are very friendly and are professional.

The artwork and portfolios for the artists are impressive, probably the best I have seen in the area. That being said, the customer service was subpar at best. Entered the shop inquiring about appts and the staff was unfriendly, eating their lunch at the counter, and between bites informed us that they were booked for months. Two workers in the shop, eating their lunch, completely uninterested in our potential business and rude in their demeanor. I left the shop without a second thought and unfortunately will not be giving or recommending business to this shop.

While their work is exquisite, they should work on their first impressions because that, in turn, is what turned me away.

This isn't a typical tattoo shop where you would find laminated poster boards of flash to flip through. This is an art gallery where you find talented artists who are passionate and detailed. You don't leave this shop with a tattoo, you leave with a work of art. Joshua was artist.

Austin does fantastic work! Gabe and Joshua do really good work too! Went in with a idea and he sketched it out and loved it! Super nice people and the place is super clean.

Made me and my wife very comfortable. Super nice people and is an excellent artist.

Gabe is fantastic. So are the other artists here. Definitely get yourself on a waiting list and line up for some amazing tattoo work.

Joshua Tenneson is an amazing artist and an even better human! 10/10 recommend.