Martina C.
Yelp
I knew how the studio presents itself on social media and I have to say it was BEYOND amazing. It doesn't feel, sound, or look like a tattoo studio. Everything is comfortable, visually appealing. Soft. And the music was great with an incredible mix. Maria greeted me when I walked in and said Parker would be right out. They were both BEYOND kind. Just SO gentle, soft and easygoing. Thoughtful. Parker reviewed my design and got on to printing the stencils. We spent a bit of time choosing size and placement. And AS you've seen on social media, if you follow Parker & Maria & Midnight Tattoo, PLACEMENT is one of the specialties. They have an EYE for beauty and for how to place a tattoo on each body. How to make it flow and look natural and stand out and BE the piece that each client deserves.
I was wowed by what Parker did, and hand drew around my clavicle tattoos, in order to not cover or distract from them. I was nervous AF guys. I have a LOT of tattoos. Over 30. So I have sat for tattoos. But never have I ever experienced a tattoo like this. So we got set and ready and Maria's client was ready first, and getting a beautiful rib piece.
I was BLOWN away by the tattoo guns they use. They're wireless and QUIET. Like quieter than my electric toothbrush y'all. This is IMMEDIATELY a stress reducer for me. I did NOT realize how much that LOUD buzzing of old school tattoo needles STRESSES me out. But these were nothing like it. Another bonus.
Next up was me. Parker got to work, I had 4 CBD gummies that I had brought, but they were the Wyld brand, which Midnight Tattoo has for sale so feel free to bring or buy ;) I also brought a CBD beverage and chugged that. At about an hour in, I was struggling to stay awake between the lack of pain and the grey day and being comfy. So I figured I would take a pee break and then let myself fall asleep. When I came back, I started dozing again and about 30 minutes later I was feeling a bit spicy. So the next 90 minutes of the tattoo were much spicier than the first 90. I have to add that Parker tattoos unlike ANY other artist I have ever had tattoo me. She kept stepping back to look at her shading and how it looked from different angles. Actually really invested in what she out on my body. And proud of what she was doing. Not seeing me as "just another tattoo" but a person.
Since it was time to move onto my right side, I went for a bathroom break. Mind you, I got in there and thought okay I do nervous pee, is this stress? And my jaw and neck were hurting because I was tensing up SO much. Like I did during my first labor and delivery lol. But I am one of those people "all go no quit" and "never give up." So I was mentally preparing to hunker down for 3 more hours.
Parker said "okay let's talk about the other side." Then she told me she sensed that I was feeling kind of overwhelmed and that the tattoo had gotten pretty spicy. I said oh totally. Then she said "in my experience I think we should do the right side on a separate appointment so that you can be fresh and not already in a lot of pain." I said "oh my right side is good!" And she explained to me that often a mirrored tattoo will give the client MORE pain on the second side. And that if we had to stop, instead of me having a full outline, because Parker doesn't outline and then shade, she sort of "block" tattoos. That said, again my stubborn and OCD and driven self said NAH I can push through. And she said, "I don't want you to HAVE to push through. I think that waiting IS the best decision. If we tattoo you and your body rises to a certain level of pain response then the ink will actually reject and you'll just start bleeding. And that could also be really traumatic and I don't want thay for you." (Please know I'm paraphrasing I don't have a recording of our actual conversation!) I could tell how genuinely concerned she was for MY body and MY experience. So we booked a couple of weeks out to finish.
I was initially REALLY upset with myself, not Parker, because I have always had that mentality that if I don't finish something or don't DO what is expected that I failed. And I was super mad at myself. But after a few days of staring at this beautiful artwork on my chest I'm so thankful Parker asked me to come back. And I fully plan to book my next tattoo when I do!! She and Maria are BOTH so incredibly talented but also kind, humble, empathetic, and they ACTUALLY care deeply for the experience the client has with them and the tattoo. THANK you Parker for the most beautiful art ever and BOTH you and Maria for making such a peaceful and safe space to experience a tattoo.
Random side note - I was super bummed at first, not being able to bring a friend or anyone with me to my appointment, but I actually LOVE that you currently don't allow it. It feels more inclusive, and safer and less stressful and I didn't expect that. I expected the opposite. I LOVE my tattoo and the experience. THANK YOU!!
