Check out this mandala tattoo recently done at Majestic.
Mandalas have a huge spiritual and ritual significance in Hinduism and Buddhism. Though Hindi word in nature mandalas are often used in many tibetan and Asian religions. The basic form of most mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point representing a radical balance.
Here are a few other examples of Adal’s mandala and tibetan tattoos
Adidas is pairing up with up and coming Harlem R&B artist Teyana Taylor (who was recently signed to Kayne West’s G.O.O.D. Music record label) for a pop up store celebrating their new line “Originals” right around the corner from Majestic Tattoo this weekend from March 15th through March 17th on the corner of Broadway & Franklin St. Though there are no specifics on the event, the video promotion shows some dazzling nails, fun paintings, and the possibility of brand new Kicks or music being released. With big names in the mix and designs similar to painted nails and #unitealloriginals hashtag on the windows it will sure be interesting to see what unfolds. Stop by both the event and Majestic this weekend to take a look of what’s going on!
When getting a tattoo some of the first thoughts and questions are usually along the line of how will this look when I’m older? What if I gain weight or get pregnant? Black or Color?
Face it, we are all going to be old one day. A lot of people are scared of getting tattoos because of aging, but that doesn’t have to be a huge factor in your decision to get any artwork. The placement and care you take of your tattoo has a large effect on how well it will evolve as you age.
It is a large misconception that once your tattoo finishes healing that it’s the end of taking care of it. Regular, if not daily application of lotion will significantly help in keeping your tattoo from fading and becoming irregular over the years. Although tanning is very popular these days, it can have a negative effect on your tattoo, causing it to fade faster over time, especially if it is a new tattoo out in the sun. There are some areas of the body that are more prone to be affected by aging than others such as chest, upper arms, and legs since those alter the most as we age.
So you want a tattoo but also want kids someday? Well that’s okay! Getting pregnant is not going to destroy your tattoo, as long as you take the right measures to keep up your skin’s health. Keeping your body heavily hydrated and extremely moisturized is the #1 most important thing you can do to insure that after your pregnancy your tattoo will return to it’s original state. That will make sure that your tattoo (especially if near your stomach) will be able to retain its shape once your body has grown/shrunk dramatically and will significantly help in reducing the possible number of stretch marks.
Nobody stays the same size forever, we all gain and lose weight, but how much will it really alter your tattoo? Surprisingly not at much as one would think. Weight gain or weight loss over an extended period of time is perfectly normal, and as the skin grows or shrinks and shouldn’t vastly affect the look of the tattoo unless it is extremely detailed over an area that saw a lot of stretching/shrinking which could cause the lines in very a detailed piece to maybe blur together (for example a detailed large stomach tattoo). In terms of extreme weight change (such as getting a lap band) you need to take more precaution and treat the tattoo as if pregnant to that the skin reforms in the proper manner.
A lot of people’s main dilema when deciding on a tattoo is color or no color, that is the question. It’s a large misconception that color tattoos fade significantly more than a black and white one, while color does show more change, any tattoo can fade drastically if not properly taken care of or touched up on regardless of the color choices.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRqMAN7hH5g[/youtube]
Brought to you by the highly talented AJ Arjuna Watson, also known as DECYPUL.
2013 has arrived! You survived Sandy, the 2012 Mayan apocalypse, a blizzard, and what better way to celebrate the new year and new you than with a tattoo? Majestic Tattoo is still offering a student discount to anyone who attends a New York City school. Including but not exclusive to NYU (New York University), Columbia University, Hunter College, Fordham University, The New School, Pace University, Manhattan College, City College of New York with your student ID.
Not only are we offering discounts to any student, but also to any member of greek life in New York City, such as any NYU sorority, NYU fraternity, Columbia sorority, or Columbia fraternity. A sorority / fraternity tattoo is a great way to remember some of the best years of your life.
The exact discount will be stated on a case by case basis, but you can expect to receive some of the finest quality tattoo work in New York City for a rate that is much more reasonable than what is charged at competing tattoo shops.
Thanks to Magne! This piece was done in just 7 hours over the course of a single day.
Before getting tattooed, it’s important to consider how the areas of the body behave during and after the tattoo process. Some body parts hurt more, take ink differently, are more difficult to cover for work, or wear away faster than other parts. We’ve compiled a list of commonly tattooed areas of the body and important things to know about each of these areas of the body. If you’re still unsure of where to get a tattoo on your body, we will be happy to consult you about your best options.
We’ve also given each body part a “Quality Rating”: a rating for the different parts for quality of the skin and how well a tattoo will hold in that area on a scale from 1 to 10, 1 being the worst and 10 being the best.
As a general policy, we do not perform face tattoos at Majestic. We realize that people often later regret facial tattoos, and from a technical perspective, the face does not have good skin for tattooing and is not a good canvas for quality artistic work. We do not often get requests for tattoos on the back of the head, but we are open to the idea. We also will do behind the ear tattoo work, as it is a decent area for small, simple symbol tattoos or initials. The inside of the ear does not hold ink well, and the lines tend to blur quickly.
Quality Rating: 0-3 at best
The neck is a decent area for tattooing as the side of the neck provides a nice canvas, though the skin on the neck will lose its elasticity faster than any other part of the body. We don’t recommend the neck unless you already have other visible tattoos, because it is very difficult to conceal for corporate jobs or other formal occasions.
Quality Rating: 3-5
The shoulder and back are great areas to get tattoos, though they tend to be more sensitive to the process than the arms. Not a good area for small detail since the skin stretches so much, and are better suited for larger graphics due to wear. We wouldn’t recommend this area for a first tattoo because it is more difficult to reach for tattoo aftercare and you may get less enjoyment from it since it is difficult to see without a mirror. A lower back tattoo is actually in a good area for tattooing, despite its negative stigma as a “tramp stamp.” One common concern for women with lower back tattoos is that they might not be able to receive an epidural in the future. This concern is somewhat unfounded, and worse-case scenario if the needle has to be placed directly in the tattooed area, the epidural would leave a scar that alters the appearance of the tattoo. If this is a serious concern for you, we would recommend getting a tattoo on a different location on the body.
Quality Rating: 7-10
This is Adal’s personal favorite for areas to tattoo. Arm tattoos leave plenty of room for creative special effects because of the unique three-dimensional nature of the surface, which can allow the tattoo to be designed and seen in rotation. We like to approach arms in quarters, especially if you are not sure you want a full sleeve. If you do know you want a tattoo sleeve, it is best to approach it in sections no smaller than one quarter of the arm. The inner forearm tends to have the best quality skin for tattoos as it is protected from sun exposure and wear from aging. The arms also tend to be the most tolerable to have tattooed as far as pain.
Quality Rating: 10
A tattoo on the wrist is a popular choice, especially since it tends to be small and fairly simple, and can be covered with bracelets or a watch for work. However, they tend to be painful. The creases near the hand should be avoided because they wear away the tattoo quickly with age. Many people are concerned about wrist tattoos penetrating the veins under the skin, though this would never actually happen because the tattoo needle does not ever go that deep.
Quality Rating:3-5
Hand tattoos are not recommended, and in the past it was reserved for people who had run out of space on their arms. Fingers aren’t good quality skin for tattoos and don’t hold ink well. The ink tends to bleed and blur with age. Palm tattoos are pretty much out of the question as they get a lot of wear and it is nearly impossible to get the skin to hold ink.
Quality Rating: 0-2
Ribs are super painful to be tattooed, though can definitely hold interesting tattoo designs. As a general rule, places where the skin is stretched more tightly over the bone are the most uncomfortable during the tattoo process. Rib tattoos are very easy to conceal and therefore a very popular choice for more conservative tattoo customers.
Quality Rating: 6-7
Chest tattoos are very painful to receive but they tend to hold pretty well throughout one’s lifetime. Chests make a nice, flat canvas for symmetrical tattoos with the exception of people who take a lot of sun or wear low-cut necklines (or both). Stomach tattoos are a different story as they can be stretched or contorted if the wearer gains or loses weight, especially if the tattoo is affected by pregnancy. But these tattoos are also easy to conceal and therefore are very popular, and often quite sexy!
Quality Rating: 7-9
Legs are a good but often-overlooked area to tattoo. They are easy to hide if needed, and tattoo “shorts” (full thigh tattoos) are a unique style that’s sure to turn heads. Since it is a large three-dimensional area like arms but bigger, it is easy to get creative with leg tattoos. Knees are a very painful area to be tattooed but some tattoo collectors still love flaunting tattoos on the front and backs of their knees.
Quality Rating: 8
The best skin to have tattooed on the foot is right on the top, but because this area is bony, it tends to be very painful. Even though they are often requested, the sides of the feet aren’t good areas for tattoos because of callous build-up and the natural toughness of that skin. Ankle tattoos are a popular choice because they are relatively easy to conceal and they can be quite beautiful as they often look like anklets. They are less painful and tend to hold well over time.
Quality Rating: 7
Interested in getting a tattoo from Majestic? Contact us to set up a consultation.
Happy belated New Year to all! We’re back in the studio and looking forward to a busy year and plenty of new designs in 2013. Make fresh ink your greatest New Year’s resolution yet and contact us for an appointment at (212)431-3323 or adal@majestictattoonyc.com. In the mean time, check out some recent tattoo work done at Majestic.
Still fresh, still swollen, sorta bloody… but check out this New York script tattoo recently done at Majestic:
Visiting New York City for the first time and wondering where you can find things to do that aren’t your typical tourist traps? Or if you’re a local and just looking for new destinations to explore off the beaten path? The crossroads of NYC’s Tribeca, Soho and Chinatown neighborhoods often aren’t considered hotspots of activity, but in addition to being home of Majestic Tattoo NYC, there are tons of hidden gems in the area. Here are a few of our favorite NYC attractions within a short walking distance from the studio.
This is hands down our favorite spot for lunch in the area. Ever. Lupe’s offers inexpensive and delicious Mexican cuisine to the Tribeca and SoHo neighborhoods, dine-in or take-out. We recommend trying the enchilada verdes for a delectable reprieve after your tattoo.
Check out the amazing poster selection at Philip Williams[/caption]
This store has a mindblowingly expansive collection of wall art. Great for both the casual browser and the serious shopper, Philip Williams has poster designs ranging from French art nouveau advertisements to quirky vintage circus posters and everything in between. The thousands of designs on display definitely make this unique NYC shop worth your while.
We are excited and proud to have this incredible artist as our neighbor. Peter Tunney is a talented artist who aspires to bring an artistic touch to everything and everyone he encounters. His mixed media pieces combine popular culture consciousness and an eye for unique details. The working studio generally takes appointments for avid art collectors, though if you’re lucky, the curious fan may get the chance to catch a glimpse of the artistic process as well.
This installation, described as a sound and light environment, is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 2PM to midnight, and located in a large, nearly-empty loft. The sound installation combines high-frequency and sub-audible sounds that shift based on how you navigate the space, and black lights were added to enhance the experience. Whether you have half an hour or a whole evening of free time to devote to the Dream House, it’s worth checking out and staying a while.
This Soho loft space is a combination exhibition/retail space for all things instant analog photography, so it’s a necessary destination for fans of Polaroid photography. The space doubles as the American headquarters for the Impossible Project, the European effort that singlehandedly saved the last Polaroid instant film production plant. Visit the store to see the latest in instant photography work or to purchase instant cameras & accessories.
This slightly grungy back alley dates back to the early 19th century and is one of few still remaining on Manhattan. Running the length of three city blocks, Cortlandt Alley is also the home of a museum (simply called “Museum”) located within the space of an old warehouse freight elevator, which exhibits an array of found objects. The alley is also a hub for activity, including photo shoots, and serves as an architectural canvas for a wide range of street art.
For inquiries about the jacket or to make an offer, please contact us.
In 1989, Keith Haring visited Chicago to do a series of murals under the project name “Keith Haring at the Pinnacle.” One of the murals was done with Chicago public high school art students and two of the murals were done at Rush-Presbyterian Hospital.
All three murals were covered by PBS in a documentary with the same name as the project name. Adal was 16 years old at the time and was fortunate enough to meet Keith Haring and be his assistant on the two murals at the hospital. In fact, Adal essentially became Keith’s “art intern” for the weekend, helping to run errands for Keith and be his right-hand-man during the painting process. While Adal was working for him, Keith Haring drew on and signed the back of his leather jacket. Kwong Chi, Keith’s photographer, also signed the sleeve of the jacket.
Here are two other images from the event, “Keith Haring at the Pinnacle:”
Here is the Keith Haring autographed leather jacket that will be going on sale this Thursday:
Ink Master, Tattoo Nightmares, and other tattoo TV shows are inspiring more and more people to look at their own tattoos and wonder if there is a way to rework or refashion them to make them fit in with the high quality of tattoo work that is worn by so many others. If you live in the NYC metropolitan area or ever come to visit New York City, and if you have thought twice about that tattoo you got when perhaps you were young and didn’t know any better, contact Adal to see how your tattoo can be covered, revitalized, and made into something you will be proud of and that will turn heads. View the Cover Up Tattoos page for some examples of cover-ups Adal has done throughout the years.
The holidays are here and we all know what that means: Christmas shopping. Why go out and spend hours though rummaging through department stores in attempt to find gifts that you’re not even 100% sure they will love? Well this holiday season Majestic can help you avoid all the trouble.
Majestic is now offering gift certificates for the holidays. Get your loved ones the high quality beautiful tattoo work they’ve always desired. Stop by the shop today to pick one up or you can soon order online to give to that special someone!
Email Adal for more information or call (212) 431-3323 today to reserve a gift certificate! Or buy online:
We’ve recently come across a few videos on youtube that claim they can teach you how to tattoo. THIS IS NONSENSE! While youtube is a useful learning supplement for plenty of things, tattooing is just not one of them.
TV shows that streamline the process of tattooing are bad enough, making it seem like every tattoo takes half an hour, and that pain is not a factor, but these videos on youtube take it to a new level of misguidance, and are frankly an insult to the tattooers that spend years learning, refining, and perfecting their craft.
Anyone who has put in time and research to learn to tattoo and isn’t jumping the gun (literally) can see that these videos present questionable techniques. They hardly mention sterilization, and none of them discuss hand techniques, machine speeds, needles, thicknesses, textures, or different skin types. Further, in most of these videos, the camera is at an angle that prevents viewers from actually seeing what the artist is doing, or isn’t zoomed in enough to get a decent view. In addition, music is blasting in the background, making any instructions difficult or impossible to hear. Many of these videos link to sites that sell generic, prefabricated tattoo designs, and the videos are not made by tattoo experts. Some youtube users who’s videos you should watch out for are stopYOURdumshyt, ehow, fantasticvoyage, and aguieincali. Each of these users present oversimplified, poorly framed videos that will not actually help to improve your tattoo skills.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwCNsrsu0J8
On the other hand, there are some awesome videos on youtube that serve as trailers and link to professionally done full-length dvds that anyone can order. Yes, these videos aren’t free, but then again, who doesn’t pay for their education? In fact, anyone who cares about their education would take this route. If something is going to lead to a lifelong career, it’s only logical that you’d make that money back soon after.
Some valid tattoo video sources include Joe Capobanco’s video from GetNow TATTOO, Vicroe Portugal, and Guy Aitchison. All of these artists have informational videos and trailers on youtube that mention things to consider when tattooing, or places to visit to learn more. None of these artists claim to have the ability to teach all of tattooing in a short online video. In fact, Guy Aitchison, an authority on instructional tattoo dvds by world renowned artists hosts webinars for tattoo artists. If you want an online youtube-like experience, he hosts these seminars and also has DVDs available to order at his website, tattooeducation.com.
A Banksy tattoo of Banksy walking the Keith Haring dog. (Scroll down to see original piece.)
View the entire tattoo gallery at Majestic Tattoo NYC.
Like Dia de los Muertos tattoo designs? The most detailed of these tattoos are actually inspired by sugar skulls, which are intricately decorated pieces of candy served to children on this traditional Mexican holiday. Check out these sugar skull tattoos and Day of the Dead tattoos recently inked by Adal at Majestic:
If you’re from New Jersey and thinking about getting a tattoo, consider taking the Holland Tunnel or nearest PATH train to NYC to Majestic Tattoo NYC – one of the closest NYC tattoo shops to New Jersey. Majestic offers awesome, all custom tattoos, and Adal is willing to work with you to come up with a reasonable price, making Majestic much more affordable than many competing NYC tattoo parlors. Majestic is conveniently located to the PATH World Trade Center Stop, and is only about a 10 minute drive from the Holland Tunnel.
See directions by PATH, NJ Transit, and Car below!
By PATH:
Take the PATH to the World Trade Center (WTC), then take the E subway uptown from the intersection of Church Street and Vesey Street to the Canal Street stop. Exit the subway at Walker St. and 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas) and walk south on 6th Avenue towards White St. Make a left on Franklin St., and Majestic Tattoo is located at 67 Franklin St., on the right.
From New York Penn Station:
Take the E subway downtown and exit at Canal Street. Follow directions by PATH from the Canal Street Stop.
By Car:
From the Holland Tunnel keep left and take Exit 4 to Downtown, then immediately turn right onto Varick St. After 0.1 miles, turn left on Franklin St. Majestic Tattoo will be on the right after about 0.2 miles.
We have power, once again! Luckily, Hurricane Sandy left Majestic in one piece. Our thoughts go out to those who were affected by this storm.
If you would like to schedule (or reschedule!) an appointment give us a call – (212) 431-3323! We are open today and will be open the whole week.
Hey all. The Majestic studio has survived Sandy – but we are still without power. If you would like to get tattooed tomorrow or this weekend, I will travel to you if you have a place with power and good lighting! Give me a call to set something up. (212) 431-3323.
It’s well known that the prices and quality of a tattoo can vary. It seems to be, in 2012, that the average rate across America is $150 an hour with custom work from more popular, more talented artists fetching as much as $250 an hour, if not more. It’s hard to believe in today’s economy that artists can charge so much, given that the time needed to complete the average half-sleeve project could be between 8-12 hours. With 18+ years of experience as a tattoo artist, Adal clearly ranks with these top-earning, popular artists, however, he is of the opinion that tattoos need not be excessively expensive, and that someone’s budget should not exempt them from getting his high-quality tattoo work.
Given the cost of living in New York City, in conjunction with these high tattoo rates, many individuals seek out the cheapest possible option when getting a tattoo. Furthermore, there seems to be an abundance of under-skilled tattooers offering cheap tattoos as a means of practicing and trying to learn a complex form of art. Since tattoo apprenticeships are not readily handed out, it is understandable that a beginning tattooer would use every opportunity to practice, which in most cases, leaves the person being tattooed highly unsatisfied with low-quality, under-skilled artwork. These tattoos are, 99% of the time, nothing close to the tattoos that people search for and fawn over in magazines and online.
If you are serious about getting tattooed, and even if you are working within a budget, come and talk to Adal. Adal always works with the client to come up with a price that is reasonable for him or her, not based on an hourly rate, but based on what is appropriate for each tattoo project. For instance, if you are interested in engaging in a tattoo project that will take over 4 hours, Adal is very open to negotiating on a fixed session rate, that is not so focused on counting minutes and hours. The price of any tattoo project that takes less than that amount of time will be assigned a flat price which is determined by the tattoo’s size, complexity, and design, generally based on the rate of $150 an hour.
Majestic always operates with a $50 minimum for a tattoo that takes half and hour or less.
For specific inquiries about the price of your tattoo idea, send Adal an email or call him at the studio at (212) 431-3323.
New York City offers so much to the students that inhabit its streets and now Adal wants to offer the same. Any student of a New York City school (including but not exclusive to NYU [New York University], Columbia University, Hunter College, Fordham University, The New School, Pace University, Manhattan College) is now eligible for tattoo work at a discounted rate with student ID. Majestic Tattoo NYC is conveniently located in SoHo/Tribeca/Chinatown, right by the Canal Street subway station.
For a specific inquiry about pricing on your tattoo idea, please email Adal or give us a call at (212) 431-3323. Tell us your ideas and we can work out a discounted price that works for you.
New York City is known for many things, ranging from awesome music to intense sports fans. So it’s understandable why so many people love New York City inspired tattoos. Check out a selection of some of Adal’s New York City themed tattoos.
Check out the latest tattoo work at Majestic throughout September and October 2012. Adal has been working on a fractal shoulder piece and a floral colored sleeve, here they are in the making.
Everyone loves Mario Kart… but maybe not as much as our buddy here who went all out and got a Mario Kart tattoo sleeve.
Currently in progress – check back for updates!
