Dark Star Tattoo

My husbands tattoo artist was closed for two days. So we came to Dark star Tattoo. So glad we did. Eric was Fantastic and so professional. He did a great job and was super patient with the hubs.

As good as the best places in Portland. Check each artists' portfolio to see who is the strongest in the type of tattoo you want. I wanted realism, and therefore chose Tim. I couldn't be happier with the result. Incredible work.

Eric is awesome he takes his time am makes sure everything is just righ! He even said he'd touch up my tattoo he did almost three teats ago along with finishing my new one! Best place ever! !!

Eric is doing some AMAZING work on my side and ribs. Difficult coverup. He took it on and it's killing it! I have to go back for one more session. I will recommend him to everyone. I'll post pics when it's done

Amazing artists and a welcoming atmosphere! I have had multiple pieces done at Dark Star and I am never disappointed! Fair pricing, high quality work and a comfortable environment. I highly recommend this shop!

The people here are so awesome. The artist are amazing at what they do and I don't think there is a better place in Salem. it's sanitary and the environment is friendly and homey. I wouldn't want to go anywhere else.

What do I say...Nice clean shop...fantastic diverse artists...Ryan is a top notch human and amazing artist...I am sad it took me so long to get inked and due to unfortunate events I have moved north so I cannot just run down...anyone near Dark star I highly recommend you give them a look...😁🤘

Several weeks ago I went in to get a somewhat basic piece down by Nate. I gave him exactly what I was wanting and told him I didn’t want it to be very big since it was going to be on the back of my neck. He seemed pretty chill and like he understood what I wanted and said it would be easy to do and take about an hour. However, the day I went in for my appointment it was a very different story. After he finished smoking his cigarette we went inside and he showed me the outline. It was really big and I told him I didn’t want it that big. He said because of the detail it needed to be. Since I have several tattoos and one of them being the Sublime 40oz to freedom sun which is way more detailed (and smaller than what he was trying to push) I knew that wasn’t true. He said he can make it a little smaller but it wouldn’t look good. That’s not what I wanted to hear and so I told him that if he doesn’t think he can do it I can go to a different artist. Then he said that he was the only one in town who would be able to do this. I try to get my pieces by different artists and knew he is a fan of Tool which is what my piece is of so that’s why I went to him. After he made the stencil a bit smaller we went back to his area where he took a good 30 minutes to set up. After two hours my neck was becoming sore and I was anxious to get it finished. I asked him how much longer and he kind of laughed and said he wasn’t even half way done and he would do a little more but then I would need to come back for another session. I was annoyed with that but didn’t want him to mess it up so I continued to sit still and let him work for another hour and a half. When he was finally done I looked at it and was shocked how big it was and even made a comment which he didn’t respond to. Once he cleaned me up I asked him when I can get it finished and he told me to wait a week and see. I didn’t say much and was clearly unhappy when I left. After a week I contacted him and made an appointment to get it finished. I showed up a few minutes early and again he was outside smoking so I told him I would wait inside. After he got done smoking we went to his station where he took about 20 minutes to set up again. We didn’t talk much and it took him about an hour and a half and then was done. Towards the end two girls came over to talk to him. After I stood up I turned around and told him I wanted to let him know that this was my worst tattoo experience and he needs to be aware of how he acted. I told him I didn’t like how he said he can make it any size I want but then made it bigger like he wanted, it was not at all like the picture he was using as a reference, and that he shouldn’t have stretched it out into two sessions. I said I wasn’t trying to be bitchy but he needs to be careful because if he is tattooing someone for their first time they may not want to get another tattoo. He didn’t say a single word and just stood there with a confused almost mad look on his face. One of the girls tried to get involved and back him up but I told her sorry but I am not discussing this with you. Feeling like talking was go nowhere I told him thank you for finishing it and put my hand out to shake and he just shook his head no. I waited a sec and then said ok well peace out and left. I am still not thrilled about the final project but as time goes by it should lighten up and not be as bad but knowing its nothing like I wanted is a horrible feeling. For the first time I have a tattoo, which is pretty noticeable, that I’m not stoked about. I do not recommend him to anyone I know and want to caution anyone who considers going to him or any other artist in general. If they seem difficult or pushy don’t let them touch you.

1 star stopped in was told to look on pinterest at there work said I research them already was handed 3 business cards and asked to call for appointment I did still no call back from anyone to schedule appointment 3 weeks now. No way I will give you my business so un perfestional not to call back or hand a customer business cards and tell them to call for appointment

Cool staff and talented artists. For sure planning on being a regular. Bri is Amazing!!