Tips make it Hurt Less

 “If you want any kind of tattoo or piercing, Invicta is the place to go”. Conveniently located right off of campus, InvictaTattoo is the place for all tattoo and piercing needs. As you wander down from campus, the small red brick building might not catch your eye right away. There is no hanging signs, no big advertisements, just tinted black doors with their logo in a white Gothic font. When inquiring about body modifications, there will be many questions and concerns you might have.  Whether it is your first tattoo or your twentieth, you will question just about everything. This small tattoo parlor may look like any old ordinary shop, but the staff and the art that comes from it truly separates it from the rest.

Invicta is owned and operated by Ken and co-operated by Gritty. They bought the shop together four years ago and it has become one of the major hot spots in Bloomsburg for college kids and local residents. This shop not only specializes in tattoos but they also do general body piercings. The tattoo styles range from old school to modern, making any idea a reality. Each artist specializes in a different tattooing style but all of them are equally as talented in other designs. Invicta Tattoo is a versatile shop with award winning artists that love what they do every single day.

 Entering through the front door, the hardwood floor steps creak and the sound of death core, hard metal music plays in the background. The prominent sound of tattoo machines intermittently drown out the sound of the hard core screaming coming from the overhead speakers. Shelves upon shelves of tattoo history books and portfolios line the side of the steps. Between each shelf of books is souvenir Buddha's and skulls placed on top of old woven fabric.  

Figure 1

As you approach the front desk, you can’t help but notice the montage of wild décor.  Ancient 15^th to 16^th century paintings, next to Johnny Cash posters, next to a well-known saying of tattoo artists: “Tips make it hurt less”.  Taking in the atmosphere, the sign “Please don’t stare” catches the eye, and there is an automatic assumption you had been staring somewhere you shouldn’t have been (Figure 1).

Many of the tattoo artists and apprentices not only work the front desk but also work at their stations as well. Singing along to the songs overhead they greet all visitors in a timely manner and direct them to a side counter to fill out a waiver and have customers I.D’s checked.  If you are lucky, you can grab a seat on the old black leather couch to wait for the artist best suited for your tattoo idea. Most people stand because there’s already a crowd of people that were waiting before you.

Peering over the front desk into the main room, four distinct stations can be spotted. Each belongs to an artist, uniquely designed to fit their personality.  Beyond the typical black leather recliner at each station, you can start to really understand the artists. One station is action figure themed; the figures line the whole work area and artwork of superheroes line the wall. Skateboards with original artwork cover another station, each skateboard handcrafted into its own work of art. The artists’ station farthest in the back of the shop has a real love for modern tattoos. Neon colored skull designs are intertwined with classic Asian tattoo designs. The drawings seem like a never ending sea of color and creativity. The final station is designed by one of the owners because it is decked out in old, ancient paintings just like the rest of the shop. Collages of frames, all different sizes are perfectly fit together. The paintings range from people to places, all within the 15^th or 16^th century.

Groups of friends gather around, admiring their soon-to-be art piece or just portfolios in general. “Working right outside a college campus is amazing. Crazy, but amazing,” exclaims Brian, a tattoo apprentice under owner Ken. “Once we had a girl come in, extremely intoxicated. She barged right on in and sat down in the back screaming she wanted a tattoo. All of us were just sitting there; we had no idea what to do. When we finally convinced her to leave she ran out just as fast as she came in screaming, “They call me Jack Sparrow!” Each day brings new stories and surprises to the shop.

The atmosphere buzzes with a mix of excitement and nerves. You can feel the anxiousness of customers, patiently waiting for their life changing experience. Tidbits of conversations swirl around the room, “I’m getting this for my mother”, “This is going to hurt, I know it”. Between the proximity of the crowd and the same nerves everyone is feeling, there are plenty of chances to build and make friendships.  The curiosity of one group of people slowly permeates to another group, growing and building a crowd of people equally as excited and nervous for their body modification.

Figure 2

Upon being called back, shouts of new friends sending their luck push you into the back room. The artist proudly shows off the design they have made and ask your opinion on editing and color scheme. When it’s all said and done, the stencil is gently placed onto the body part of your choosing and you take a deep breath. Supportive friends may sit close by, holding your hand to reassure you that the end result is going to be so worth the pain you feel now (Figure 2). The artists’ steady hand glides across your skin, slowly but surely making every line and detail perfect. Between the cringing and the buzz of the needles in the tattoo machine, casual conversation and jokes are exchanged. “You’re not gonna kill me right?” Then the famous tattoo artists’ line “Tips make it hurt less.” get a laugh out of everybody. Unfortunately, no matter how much you tip, tattoos still feel a cat repeatedly scratching one's sunburn for hours. The following video shows a slow motion process of tattooing, portraying the intricate skill it takes to not only execute a tattoo, but to also receive one.

              It might be intimidating going to get a tattoo; you can never truly prepare yourself for the experience. Invicta Tattoo is a professional yet relaxed parlor that can handle just about anything thrown at them. To an unknowing eye, this small parlor might not look special, but to the customers who have been there, they know just how phenomenal this place is. The artists are dedicated to sending you home with amazing art to show off for a lifetime but unfortunately, no matter how much you tip, it won’t make it hurt less.