How to care for your new tattoo

These are NYARTMAN's tattoo aftercare instructions.

The surface of a fresh tattoo, with proper care, usually takes only two weeks to heal. Sometimes the new tattoo may have a hazy look around the two week period, this will go away after about a week. Also for some people there may be slight bruising or sensitivity around the general area of the new tattoo, especially in sensitive areas and may take a few days after being tattooed for this to subside.

• New York Law specifically states the following: After the tattooing procedure has been completed, every tattooist shall provide his or her customers with written instructions on the proper care of tattooed skin. These are NYARTMAN's tattoo aftercare instructions.

• After receiving your new tattoo remove your sterile bandage in 3-5 hours and wash the area with cool, soapy water. Only use your hands to wash the tattoo and avoid using a wash cloth on the area for two weeks. The use of an antibacterial soap such as Dial is highly recommended. Gently pat the area dry with a clean towel. Do not rub the skin. After the initial bandage is removed do not re-bandage the tattoo. Your tattoo will need to breathe.

• Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours following the tattoo. This is because alcohol thins your blood and can cause you to ooze blood more than normal, which can flush the tattoo pigment out of your skin leaving light spots in your tattoo.

• Once the bandage is removed immediately start applying a thin layer of triple antibiotic ointment * as often as needed to keep the tattoo moist at all times (at least 5 times a day). If the triple antibiotic ointment is too strong for you skin use Bacitracin ointment. It is very important that you do not let the tattoo dry out during the first two weeks. This is further explained in below "Tattooing Process" section. After two weeks, you can switch to skin cream or lotion. A triple antibiotic ointment can be purchased at any pharmacy in the first aid section. If you are allergic to any of the active ingredients found in triple antibiotic ointment or you find it too harsh for your skin, try using Aquaphor healing ointment. Pay extra attention to areas where there is joint movement ie. elbows, knees, wrist, etc. If however, due to working conditions, etc. you will be unable to apply the ointment as often as needed or your clothing will be constantly rubbing against your tattoo, in such a case you should keep it covered until the first layer of skin regenerates itself (usually around the middle of the second week). If you do cover it you can use either plastic wrap or gauze. If you use gauze you may need to use a little more ointment because the bandage may soak up the ointment.

• Never use lotions or petroleum jelly until the area is totally healed. NYARTMAN recommends using a triple antibiotic ointment, Aquaphor healing ointment or A&D ointment during the first two weeks because the tattoo is in the healing stage. Excellent results can be had buy using just Aquaphor; however, NYARTMAN recommends using the triple antibiotic ointment for at least the first couple of days to be on the safe side. The worst thing that could happen to a new tattoo is the possibility of it getting infected. A triple antibiotic ointment will help to keep this from occurring and also helps to speed up the healing process. Lotions and petroleum jelly do not help in fighting infection and can actually harbor bacteria. Switching to lotion after a few days of getting a new tattoo is not a good idea because the tattooed area has not had a chance to fully seal itself and lotion does nothing to fight bacterial infection.

• One should avoid swimming or immersing the tattoo in water for any prolonged period of time. Showers are fine… but not baths. No swimming for two weeks. Your tattoo may peel for a while. You may notice some of the of the old skin with bits of excess ink slough off when applying the triple antibiotic ointment. This is normal and it is the first layer of skin regenerating itself.

• New tattoos often itch and sometimes may develop a scab; however, it is imperative that one should refrain from scratching, picking, rubbing or wearing anything that may continually rub the tattoo. All of these could damage the tattoo at best and scar the area at worst. If the itching becomes unbearable do not scratch your tattoo but instead try slapping or applying ice to the area for relief.

• Protect your tattoo from direct sunlight and it will be bright and fresh for many years. Use a sun block with a rating of "40" or stronger. Exposing the tattoo to the sun without sun block is never a good idea, no matter how old it is. The sun can and will slowly fade your tattoo.

If you notice signs of infection (pus, rash, redness or swelling) or increased bleeding at the site of the tattoo, you should contact your doctor immediately.

* Triple Antibiotic Ointment – is a topical antibiotics to help prevent infections caused by bacteria that get into minor cuts, scrapes, burns and new tattoos. Treating minor wounds with antibiotics allows quicker healing. Some widely used topical antibiotics are bacitracin, neomycin, mupirocin, and polymyxin B. Among the products that contain one or more of these ingredients are Bactroban (a prescription item), Neosporin, Polysporin, and Triple Antibiotic Ointment or Cream.

How the tattooing process works

Understanding how tattooing works is pretty simple. Perfecting that process is another matter entirely. A basic working definition of tattooing is the art form of marking the skin with indelible images, marks or patterns by inserting pigment into the second layer of skin (the Dermis) through puncturing, cutting, or injecting. A person has three layers of skin the Epidermis, the Dermis and the Subctis a.k.a. the Hypodermis.

Modern tattooing is achieved by the use of electromagnetic tattooing machines. They work very much like a tiny jackhammer. A needle bar is attached to the machine and runs through a handheld tube. The complete set up is known as a tattoo machine or tattoo gun. The tip of the tube is dipped into tattooing ink similar to a fountain pen and is then run across the skin. If done properly the needle pierces the first layer of skin (the Epidermis) and pushes ink into the second layer of skin (the Dermis). This process causes slight trauma to the Epidermis layer, which creates a wound similar to a light rug burn. Afterwards the first layer regenerates itself; thereby, trapping the tattooing ink in the Dermis layer. Most tattooing inks consist of water, alcohol, glycerin and pigments. These pigments are often made from natural materials such as finely ground carbon, stone, etc.

Sandwiched in between the Epidermis and the Dermis layers of skin is where one's skin pigment or melanin is found. The lighter one's skin pigment is, in turn, determines how bright or detailed a tattoo will appear. During the first couple of days after being tattooed the tattoo will appear very bright and sharp. The tattooing needle pushes ink through both the Epidermis and Dermis layers of skin; as a result, leaving both layers inked. After a few days of the initial tattooing, the Epidermis layer visibly starts to regenerate itself. Once the old Epidermis layer sloughs off, at about four or five days after getting tattooed, the ink that was present in that layer also go with it. Now only the Dermis layer has tattooing ink present. When two full weeks have passed the tattoo is pretty much healed and what one sees is the trapped pigment through the somewhat transparent, newly regenerated Epidermis layer. If your skin has darker melanin then it will compete with the tattooing ink trapped beneath it in the Dermis layer.

Why is it important that a new tattoo not dry out during the first two weeks after being tattooed?

Scabs can start developing as early as the following day of having the tattoo applied. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to keep the new tattoo moist at all times during the first two weeks. If a new tattoo was allowed to dry up it would develop hard scabs. These hard scabs have a tendency to crack and are more prone to being pulled off. When a scab like this cracks it can very easily split right down to the Dermis layer where the ink is and thereby damage the tattoo. When these scabs are pulled off they take with them some of the tattooing ink from the Dermis layer. Both of these situations will leave light areas in the tattoo but they can also remove large sections of ink and possibly scar the area.

This is easily avoided by constantly applying the recommended healing ointment for two full weeks. When this is done there will be no hard scabbing; instead, very light slimy scabs will appear and one may notice them slide off when applying the triple antibiotic ointment. This ointment not only helps protect the tattoo but it also helps fight infection as well as speed up the healing process.

Many people ask, “NYARTMAN you are the famous suuuuper genius cover-up tattoo artist and I want to know, can scar tissue be tattooed like regular skin?” Very good question. Well, if you have scarred areas that you would like to hide with a tattoo, you will be happy to know that the answer to that question is, Yes! It is important; however, you are well aware of the process and possible complications associated with tattooing scar tissue. NYARTMAN, has successfully tattooed over many scars but this should not be attempted by a rank amateur.

Covering scar tissue with a tattoo is not a problem as long as you understand that scar tissue, itself, does not always react the same way regular skin does. They are fickle creatures and tattooing even the same type of scar does not guarantee the same results. If you are considering having a scar tattooed it is very important that you make sure the scar is completely finished healing. This can take several months and in some cases a year or longer. If the scar is still red or a angry pink color you should give it more time to heal before getting it tattooed.

Know that the tattooed area directly where the scar is may not be as uniform and even as the skin around it. Also line work on scars have a tendency to “blow out” or look thicker and/or more blurry. Another factor to keep in mind is that some people are extremely sensitive to having scar tissue tattooed while other feel nothing at all.

Of course all of NYARTMAN's clients who wanted their scars tattooed were happy with the results... after all he's NYARTMAN the inkslinging superhero. What... did you think he would disappoint his clients? No way! Bottom line, if you are wanting NYARTMAN to cover up your scars with a tattoo, then when you do, you will be happy as well.

Tattoo laser removal or lightening for cover-ups, is it necessary?

Proceed With Caution if you want a cover-up tattoo!

Got an ugly tattoo that needs covering? Then be sure to contact NYARTMAN first! A lot of first time tattoos are spontaneous and they turn out great; however, cover-up tattoos and spontaneity don't mix. Don't make a bad tattoo worse by having it cover with just anything by any ol'tattooists. If you are looking to cover-up a tattoo then you've come to the right place.

NYARTMAN is a Master of the cover-up tattoo.

Mistakes sometimes happens and tastes change. NYARTMAN can add on or fix-up an existing tattoo, giving it and you a new life. He offers unparalleled quality and service that you will not find from other tattooist at competitive price. Unlike some tattooist who may be willing to do a cover-up from time to time, NYARTMAN specializes in the art of the cover-up tattoo. It's the bulk of his work and what he loves the most, fixing mistakes.

Every tattoo can be covered.

If you pick something big and black enough to overlay the old tattoo then technically you could cover anything. This is not the approach NYARTMAN takes to a cover-up project.

NYARTMAN doesn't want your cover-up tattoo to look like a cover-up tattoo when it's finished.

Some dark or dense tattoos may benefit greatly by first undergoing laser lightening therapy. The laser is a fantastic tool to use for bold and dark tattoos or if your old tattoo is simply in the way of a; new design you want in it's place. Depending on your time frame and your budget this may or may not be feasible, but you should be aware that it is an option. Look into it and see if it's right for you.

Do not expect perfect results for claims of 100% laser tattoo removal.

NYARTMAN employs several techniques to achieve beautiful cover-up tattoos. For most cover-ups laser therapy is not needed. As great as the laser can be for lightening tattoos, it's still not a perfected tool for complete tattoo removal. If you are wanting to remove your tattoo completely, time and money may be well spent lighting a tattoo for cover-up instead of attempting to remove it completely. Light and faded tattoos are the easiest to cover and they allow you more options for a cover-up design in the way of subject matter, color, composition, etc. Hyper-pigmentation, scaring and ghost images are too often the results of a tattoo that was supposedly completely "laser removed".

Contact NYARTMAN if you would like a referral to a laser specialist whose work he has seen firsthand and respects.

Laser therapy is, however, a great tool and it can lighten especially dark and bold tattoos in only a few sessions. Lightening these types of tattoos in this way can gray them out enough to give you great results with a cover-up tattoo.

Ready to transform that old tattoo into a work of art you can be proud of, then schedule a consultation appointment with NYARTMAN today!

Be sure to see "Frank's Tribal Cover-up" below. It is an example of a black tribal tattoo that was lighten by laser therapy and then covered with a new tattoo by NYARTMAN. Also be sure to read Frank V.'s and other client's testimonials by clicking the Client Testimonials button.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can one who is under 18 get a tattoo?

Not by NYARTMAN! You MUST be at least 18 years old with proper I.D. (drivers license or passport). It is against New York State Law to tattoo minors, with or without parental consent. Jeremy Garrett firmly believes in this law and was practicing it before tattooing was made legal in February 1997. NYARTMAN is a professional and respectable tattoo artist and will not tattoo minors. No exceptions in regard to this matter. Do not contact him questioning the matter, e-mail inquiries regarding this will be deleted.

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Will it hurt?

Usually, depending on the individual. The most sensitive places tend to be on the inside of your arms and legs as well as the stomach area. If you have a low pain tolerance speak to your doctor about getting a pain killer to help you deal with the pain; however, NYARTMAN will not tattoo anyone under the influence of illicit drugs. Do not use any type of topical anesthesia on your skin before getting tattooed, these can effect the healing process and final appearance of the tattoo.

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How much does it cost?

Every tattoo is different and the prices vary. There is a minimum charge of $300 that covers the basic setup of equipment, sterilization and most small i.e. 2"x2", single color tattoos. All other designs will be charged an hourly rate. NYARTMAN does not negotiate his rates. If you are not able to afford the tattoo you want he recommends that you wait until you can, instead of settling for something less than you had in mind. Reducing the size or quality, or trying to rush the process will only disappoint you in the end. A tattoo is a lifetime investment, get the one that will make you happy in the long run.

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Do I need to make an appointment?

Yes. NYARTMAN works by appointment only. It is recommended to set up a free consultation appointment to go over your piece and discuss the fees involved. If you have sketches, photos of objects or designs that you like please bring them with you to the consultation appointment.

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Can you design my tattoo or do I have to bring in my own design?

NYARTMAN only does custom work and in his artistic style. This means he does not copy the artwork or photos of other artists. If you would like to provide him with your artwork, or other photos and designs to be used as reference that would not be a problem. It is his opinion that the whole tattooing process is a deeply personal experience and this should be reflected in your tattoo.

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Does NYARTMAN charge a fee to design a custom tattoo?

Yes, NYARTMAN charges a minimum design fee to do one detailed sketch with one possible revision (a complete do-over or other revisions can be made once an additional minimum fee is secured). This will be discussed in more detail during the consultation appointment. It is not an illustration fee to purchase renderings or designs and it does not go towards the actually cost of getting the tattoo. It is specifically used to compensate him for time spent drawing. Upon receipt of design fee ALL details of your design must be finalized and submitted in writing within 48 hours.

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If I like the design but want a few changes could I see this or would I have to pay another design fee? Would you be able to make any adjustments if needed?

NYARTMAN will draw up a detailed design for you based on your written description, which will give you a clear representation of what you'll be getting tattooed. If there is something that you would like altered he will do that for you. An example of what a revision is would be adding horns to a demon that has none or changing a sword that it's carrying to a mace. Based on this example he would not have to redraw the illustration only make minor changes to it. On the other hand, if you look at the design and say “I don't like the way the demon looks, instead of having him standing I want him seated”. This would not be considered a revision but instead a do-over because he would have to draw the whole thing over, instead of just revising an element of the drawing. For a do-over or more than one revision, NYARTMAN will charge another design fee. For this reason you must write down specifically what you want during the consultation appointment. Even if you are willing to give NYARTMAN complete freedom with the design, it is recommended that you write down a list of things you like or wouldn't mind having in the design and things you don't like or absolutely wouldn't want in the design. It is not a cost effective situation when clients describe what they want and NYARTMAN creates a design based on their description only to have the client continue to request alterations. This would be extremely time consuming for NYARTMAN with little or no returns on his time invested; therefore, only one alteration (as previously described) will be permitted free of charge.

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How long does it take?

Tattooing is a slow tedious process where there is no room for mistakes. There is no absolute time frame; however, most tattoos the size of a playing card can be done within a two hour session. Backs and full sleeves, in most cases, take at least 30 hours to complete. There are many factors involved in getting tattooed and it is impossible for NYARTMAN to give an exact time frame.

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Is there anything I can do to prepare for my new tattoo?

One very important thing you can do is not drink alcohol at least 24 hours before or after you get tattooed. Alcohol can cause you to bleed heavily while getting tattooed and even afterwards and as a result can flush the ink from the skin. This can result in a light washed out looking tattoo. Wear loose fitting clothing, ones that you do not mind possibility getting stained with ink. Eating well and having juice or other drinks with a high sugar content before getting tattooed will help you with the pain and from becoming light headed during the tattooing process.

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How long does it take to heal?

The surface of a fresh tattoo with proper care usually takes only two weeks to heal. Sometimes the new tattoo may have a hazy look around the two week period and should go away within a month. Occasionally, some people may experience slight bruising or sensitivity around the general area of the new tattoo. If this occurs allow a few days more for these conditions to subside.

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How should I take care of my tattoo?

Please read NYARTMAN’s comprehensive “Tattoo Aftercare” instructions in the above link. Generally, caring for a tattoo is easy. After first receiving a new tattoo one should keep the tattoo covered for about three hours. Then the bandage should be carefully removed and the area gently cleaned with soap and water. Immediately afterward, a thin layer of triple antibiotic ointment (or Aquaphor healing ointment if you are allergic to triple antibiotic ointment) should be applied for two to three days and reapplied as needed to keep the area from becoming infected or dry. After the initial two to three days of using the triple antibiotic ointment switch to Aquaphor for two weeks. One should avoid swimming or immersing the tattoo in water for any prolonged period of time. New tattoos often itch and sometimes may develop a scab; however, it is imperative that one should refrain from scratching, picking, rubbing or wearing anything that may continually rub the tattoo. All of these could damage the tattoo at best and scar the area at worst. The tattoo needs a two week undisturbed healing period to properly set. If the itching is unbearable ice can be applied to the area for relief. Exposing the tattoo to the sun without sun block is never a good idea, no matter how old it is. The sun can and will slowly fade your tattoo.

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I was told by another tattoo artist that after getting tattooed I should just use lotion, is this okay?

NYARTMAN recommends using a triple antibiotic ointment or Aquaphor healing ointment because the tattoo is in the healing stage from day one until about two weeks. The worst thing that could happen to a new tattoo is the possibility of it getting infected. A triple antibiotic ointment will help to keep this from occurring. Lotions do not help in fighting infection and can actually harbor bacteria.

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Will NYARTMAN touch up my tattoo at no additional charge?

In most cases NYARTMAN does not offer free touch ups. Tattooing is a living art and everyone's skin unique and the tattooing ink may react differently from person to person. There is no way to guarantee exact and completely consistent results. Furthermore, all tattoos will look different after the healing process. Pigments in the skin move, shift and fade with time and this is normal and should be expected. Also NYARTMAN approaches his tattooing work similar to a fine art painting. He builds up gradations and color blends slowly and reworks areas as needed. To keep from causing too much trauma to the skin this often times has to be achieved through multiple tattooing sessions. This technique allows the skin time to rest and heal, resulting in a long lasting tattoo that is very rich and densely colored.

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Is it true that red ink causes an allergic reaction?

All inks can potentially cause allergic reactions depending on the person. It is probably true to say that warmer colors are usually responsible for this occurrence; however, it is extremely rare. The vast majority of tattooing inks are made from non-toxic pigments. NYARTMAN uses the highest quality, reputable, time tested inks available. If you are prone to allergic reactions, perhaps consider starting with a very small tattoo to gauge your body's response. If you do develop an allergic reaction or any other type of infection, you should visit your doctor immediately. While allergic reactions to tattoo inks are very rare, if it happens and is left untreated it can damage the tattoo, lead to infection and or greatly increase the healing process.

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What you can expect by choosing NYARTMAN as your tattoo artist:

• NYARTMAN is a licensed tattoo artist who has been trained by the NYC Department of Health as well as by the CDC in proper sterilization techniques and infectious diseases.

• You can trust that you will be worked on in a clean environment using only sterile equipment and of course single use needles and ink cups. Why? It is not only for your protection but for the artist's as well.

• Confidence that you will receive a tattoo beyond your expectation from an artist who is setting the standard in custom tattooing.

• As the customer you will be treated with the utmost respect in a relaxed, non-pretentious, private environment.

• Your project will receive 100% personal attention from the artist to insure your vision will be met.

• You will be tattooed by an award winning artist with over three decades of professional tattooing experience.

Testimonials

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We all made mistakes in our lives and most of the time we can move on from these mistakes. Mistakes made in ink can be permanent. My tattoo was embarrassing, not well thought out, not properly done and not done by a professional.

I was looking for the best cover up artist in the WORLD and I found the NYARTMAN, Jeremy Garrett! I wanted raw talent, a true artist and someone who had my best interest at heart. After my consultation I just knew I found it all and I just knew Jeremy would deliver.

I couldn't wait to see the sketch and he didn't make we wait long. I won't lie, I almost died when I saw the size of the piece but Jeremy was super confident and patient with me! The drawing was so me, so my personality. Once the stencil was on I was ready to move forward! The stencil on my arm alone was perfect and the placement unbelievable.

Jeremy's attention to detail and dedication to get it just right is dynamic. The outline is flawless, shading is top-shelf and color superb (really unlike anything I ever seen)! I got a beautiful tattoo that is truly amazing! You can't see a trace of my old tattoo, most people don't even remember my old tattoo when they see this amazing work of art. And I must admit, I am loving the attention I am getting from it too.

Jeremy is a great guy, easy to get along with, knows how to calm and make you feel comfortable, a true stand up professional! The studio is immaculate and Jeremy creates such a relaxing environment. I loved going in for my sessions, Jeremy would get just as excited as I did as he checked out his work from the session before. Nothing like an artist that pushes himself to excel! I made a great friend and had a blast.

Hands down Jeremy Garrett is super-talented and the best cover up tattoo artist in the WORLD!

- Margaret C.

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Recently, I received a tattoo from a known and trusted local artist. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the outcome. It is not a good feeling to have something permanent on your body that you absolutely dislike and do not resonate with. Almost immediately I started looking for a cover up artist. I began to feel like all of the work I was seeing looked the same...until I came across NYARTMAN.

I contacted Jeremy and set up an appointment. He responded quickly via email and was sympathetic to my situation. He took the time to look at what I wanted and proceeded to resurrect an eyesore into a true work of art. I flew half way across the country to have Jeremy work on me and I'd do it again...in a New York minute!

- Anna J.

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After months of research, I came across Jeremy’s website and just fell in love with his work. I immediately scheduled a consultation experience and upon meeting Jeremy I just knew he was the tattoo artist for me. He asked what I wanted to have done and all said to him was “I want a kick-ass Griffin done in your style and you can have my whole back for your canvass”. Once Jeremy had the design ready I went in for my first session and I was just blown away by the piece he had created, truly a one of a kind masterpiece. I spent the next 6 months hanging out with Jeremy as he created a masterpiece on my back and each session was a personalized experience that was filled with great music, fun conversations, and awesome artwork. When people see the Griffin that Jeremy created they are just speechless and rave about the amount of detail that was put into the piece. I had an amazing tattoo experience with NYARTMAN and Jeremy will be the only tattoo artist I will ever go to! If anyone is looking for a one of a kind tattoo experience I would highly recommend visiting NYARTMAN!

- Robert Bernier

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I manage the international Rock and Roll band, Deep Purple, and live very close to NY so I see a lot of Tattoos and finally decided I wanted one... so on the road I got a small piece on my ankle... ok but not great... Got it in Singapore from what was meant to be the best there... it was ok but not great... so I had it fixed in Cape Town with the best there... ok not great.. got back to NY and everybody said the best here is Jeremy Garrett. So called him... made an appointment and the rest was great. I then had him do another tattoo for me. I am 60 years old and not all that interested in motorcycle tats. I want real art and he is without a doubt the best. In my opinion anyone can do motorcycle art, everybody does it, but I wanted something different and got it, ultra clean. If there was such a thing as Kosher Tattoos it would be this clean. I could not be happier with the job Jeremy did or the care that went into it.

-Bruce Payne, Manager of Deep Purple

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I recently visited NYC for just a day and really wanted to get a tattoo. Being in a touring rock band gives me very little time to find a great artist. After calling a few shops I could find no one interested until I called Jeremy the NYARTMAN! As soon as we spoke I knew he is an artist who cares about his craft. After visiting his website and seeing his credentials I felt honored that he juggled his schedule to help me get the piece I was hoping for. His professionalism and demeanor are at the top of the bar. His artwork is world class, and the prices very reasonable. No longer will I search for an artist on the east coast again!

- Josh Steely, Guitarist from Daughtry

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I came to Jeremy earlier this year looking to cover up an old tattoo from several decades ago. My old tattoo was not very well done. Live and learn; this time, I wasn't some stupid kid blindly trusting anyone with a needle and some ink. I did a fair amount of due diligence to ensure I now would do it right. After meeting Jeremy, I was certain that he was the right artist. Not only did he have an amazing portfolio, but it was immediately apparent to me that he was a consummate professional and had a true passion for what he was doing. At each step of the process, from design to the last session (6 in all), he was simply great! I had a vague idea of what I wanted (I'm no artist), but Jeremy was able to take my dragon concept and shape it into an image that not only embodied my thoughts, but fit the contour, shape and size of my body perfectly. What impressed me is that he accomplished this while covering up the old tattoo, but not letting this interfere with the overall design and beauty of the new tattoo. I spent many hours with him and truly enjoyed our conversations. The final product is beautiful and exceeded my expectations. I swim several times a week and can't recount how many times people have stopped me to ask me about my tattoo. I have already told my oldest son (who's over 21) that if he is ever considering a tattoo, I will pay for it, but only if he goes to NY to see Jeremy.

- Jon Grisham

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In the eighteenth century, Alexander Pope said, “to err is human”. 300 years later, I would stumble into a local tattoo parlor and walk out with a shoddy depiction of a stupid idea, and prove him right once more. In spite of being an educated and typically not impulsive consumer, I had become a statistic: another twenty-something with a really dumb tattoo.

Doing things the wrong way had taught me a lot about the value of doing them the right way. In my search for the right artist to fix my youthful mistakes, I spoke with employees at some of the most prominent tattoo shops in the tri-state area. None of them seemed to be quite what I was looking for.

One New Jersey artist who came highly recommended suggested covering my leg in an all black tribal tattoo. An employee at one of Manhattan’s premier studios offered, “we might be able to do some roses or something.” Somehow, covering one tattoo I hated with another just seemed counter-intuitive.

When I first met Jeremy Garrett, he caught me off guard when, instead of telling me what he could do, he asked what I wanted. He seemed unfazed by my suggestion, and I’ll admit, I was a bit taken aback by his sheer confidence that he could do what other artists simply couldn’t.

Jeremy began his work shortly after our first meeting, and it wasn’t long before he was dragging his needles across my skin. Tattooing, as anyone who has been under the needle knows, is a slow and painful process. However, Jeremy goes to great lengths to ensure that his customers are comfortable. He maintains an extremely clean environment and is refreshingly down to earth.

Whether it is your first tattoo or your hundredth, you won’t get any of the typical tattoo parlor attitude that has become so thoroughly embedded in the modern tattoo culture. On the contrary, Jeremy is happy to discuss his methods, the merits of different types of ink, how he selects his needles, eastern philosophy, motorcycles, movies, or anything else that may come up during the tattoo process. I was happy to find that after each session, I left knowing a bit more than I did when I had arrived.

Just a few sessions after our first meeting, with my leg raw and trembling, I looked at what the self-proclaimed super hero had etched into my flesh. Amazed at the finished product, I spent several minutes searching for some trace of my old tattoo. Jeremy’s work doesn’t look like a cover-up tattoo. He sacrifices neither artistry nor quality out of necessity. As a customer, I was impressed with his talent, ingenuity, attention to detail, and dedication to getting it “just right”.

In the nearly six months since the piece was completed, Jeremy’s work has attracted a great deal of attention. I’ve heard everything from “it’s like they make tattoos in HD now!” to “damn, son, did you see that white boy’s leg?” and back again. Jeremy has turned a tattoo I was ashamed of into a viable way to meet women while wearing gym shorts, and for that I am grateful.

For anyone considering a tattoo, I would recommend Jeremy ahead of any other artists I have previously worked with. Jeremy Garrett is leagues ahead of most, and I am proud to carry a piece of his artwork with me.

- Kyle Y

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Well, about two months ago I told my wife I want to go to New York and get a famous artist to do a piece on me. Being a tattooist my self I began my search for an artist with the style that I was looking for, I could have chosen any of the top name artist in NY, money was no object. It should never be when searching for the best tattoo for you. I looked at all the artists and all the styles from all over NY. When I saw Jeremy's website when i was just poking around online, I told my wife, "Hunny I found what I'm looking for" and I was right. I'm a very demanding person when it comes to tattoos but with Jeremy I gave him very little direction to work with, I wanted something from his imagination and not something that I thought up cause I already have tons of my own art and ideas on me. To make a long story not quite as long he is the man to see in NY for all your custom tattooing and I believe I made a good friend in the tattooing and art industry. Thanks again.

- Clinton Stevenson, Tattoo Artist

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My first interactions with NYARTMAN (Jeremy Garrett) began when my fiance told me what she got for my birthday. I had been talking about my plan to get a tattoo of a shark smoking a joint for a couple of years, so Kat (my fiance) decided it was time to find out if I was serious. She found Jeremy online and set up a consultation with him about my surprise gift. Just like that, with only the words Shark, Joint and Ocean to work with, Jeremy began sketching.

At this point I had never met Jeremy, so I decided to check out his website. I was instantly blown away when I saw some of his recent works. So, without further delay, I emailed NYARTMAN, telling him how much I liked his style and that I couldn't wait to see what he had in mind for the tattoo. I also mentioned that I had lots of ideas, but I didn't want to mess with his creative process. I did, however, mention as a fun fact that male sharks have two penises. Jeremy responded with four words: "TWO DICKS COMING UP!"

This is where I began to panic. I wasn't scheduled to see the drawing for two weeks!! All I could picture was a tattoo of a tiny shark with two giant hard-ons. Needless to say, this was the longest two weeks of my life. My hair turned gray and I went blind in one eye from the stress but when the wait was over I couldn't have been happier with the sketch. No giant erections. It's like he reached into my brain, pulled out the tattoo I imagined, beat the shit out of it, and forced it to be awesome. BAM! In a blur of ink, electricity, and pain WEEDSHARK was born!

Aside from being, hands down, the most talented skin artist and ink sadist in NYC, Jeremy Garrett is also an incredibly laid back guy who will make you feel at home in his studio. If you want quality ink, attention to detail, and a skilled artist who cares about how your tattoo turns out, pay a visit to Jeremy. You will not regret it.

- Pat

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I've always been a fan of fine art tattooing for as long as I can remember. At 16yrs old I made the mistake of getting tattooed on a whim and also being intoxicated, I ended with up a tattoo I did not like. For the next 31yrs I lived with my mistake, until I found NYARTMAN. Although I reside in Australia, Jeremy worked with me personally on what I wanted to achieve and on my arrival to NY, NYARTMAN free handed a tattoo over the old existing tattoo that I had lived with for years. It was hard for me to realize what the final result was going to be only seeing lines drawn on top of the old tattoo but I trusted Jeremy and he gave me the confidence in proceeding and seeing it through to the end. What a result, he exceeded any expectations I had by leaving me with a tattoo that I'm proud off. NYARTMAN is a true artist who I would recommend in an instance if you are thinking of getting tattooed. I know he will be the only tattoo artist who will ever ink me again.

- Chris S.

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I would highly recommend to anyone contemplating a tattoo that they have their work done by Jeremy, the person who placed the first and, as of this point, only ink on my body. Jeremy is first and foremost a highly talented visual artist and this shows in the amazing detail which bring his pieces to life. I have a passion for snorkeling with Hawksbill sea turtles and had a fantasy of having one tattooed on my foot. Jeremy’s design was everything I could have hoped for and more. We decided to change the location of the tat to my arm to preserve the detail in his drawing...now I dream of a small school of tropical fish swimming up my foot. Strangers stop me to ask about my piece. Even people who hate tattoos have to admit it’s a beautiful work of art. I couldn’t be more pleased and am so grateful that something I will live with for so long is so beautiful and is the fruition of my dreams. Thank You Jeremy! (It goes without saying and yet must be said, Jeremy is the consummate professional, Hyper-Clean, and his studio is private and his music is fabulous. It goes to show you, magic can happen even in sterile conditions.

- Penny G.

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I'm extremely happy with the work Jeremy did for me it is pure fucking QUALITY!!!! His studio is clean relaxed and private totally a different experience to any where else I got work done. He's a real nice guy and has great taste in music to boot.

- Stuart M.

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I absolutely love the work I got done with NYARTMAN. He transformed the basic, boring tattoo I had on my ankle into an intricate and attractive work of art that everyone stops to look at. It was everything I was going for and more. He made the tattoo look better than I ever expected. He is a true artist and has the ability to make things look 3D, well shaded and complex. He is very talented and has a great skill of tattooing pieces that are very well designed and flow well with each individual's body type.

The tattoo on my ankle took about five hours to complete, and he kept me entertained the entire time. He is very friendly and personable, and this made the experience so much easier. He is truly concerned with satisfying his costumers. He asked for my opinion as we went along and improvised aspects of the tattoo.

I was extremely satisfied with the entire process, and I would recommend him to anyone that wants a great looking one of a kind tattoo.

- Courtney D.

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Jeremy Garrett, a.k.a. NYARTMAN, is the premier custom tattoo artist in NYC! I turned to Jeremy for help with a 10-year-old tribal tattoo that I had outgrown and wanted desperately to cover up. I visited several other New York area artists prior to finding Jeremy's website and was told that either a cover-up was impossible or that I'd have to choose a design that I was uncomfortable with. After a short consultation with Jeremy, I knew that I had found the right guy. His artistic ability is matched only by his down to earth personality. This guy is no elitist. He takes the time to counsel his clients by explaining the possibilities and limitations of a certain type of tattoo and then works tirelessly to create a unique piece of art that not only looks great, but is meaningful to the client as well. Getting a tattoo, especially a cover up, is extremely stressful but Jeremy makes the process a lot easier. He remains focused on the best interest of the client and is able to create a one of a kind masterpiece. If you're looking for a custom tattoo and a truly professional artist, look no further than Jeremy Garrett!

- Frank V.

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My experience with NYARTMAN was an absolute pleasure. He was professional and courteous. His work is nothing short of remarkable. His shop was very clean and hygienic and at first you arrive he makes you feel like you made the right choice by choosing him. He can make your mental sketches look like a da Vinci work of art, he his detailed, methodical and his color schemes are miraculous, no matter your complexion. But don't take my word for it, just check out my boy Jeremy Garret a.k.a. NYARTMAN and see what miracle he could create with your thoughts over two cups of fruit punch...I'm sure you won't be disappointed, I wasn't.

- C. Francis

SGT, United States Army
Administrative Analyst/Technician

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After a very brief description of what I wanted (cherry blossoms and waves) Jeremy designed this amazing piece of Art. I loved it the minute I saw it. Since I was only visiting New York he had to do the piece on one day which took 6 hours and pain aside I really enjoyed the experience. Jeremy was very professional and efficient plus a great conversation partner.

I really got a beautiful, totally personal tattoo and I am sure his art will have a lot of people finding him, who want only the best like me.

Hey Jeremy. Thanks for making me famous...Back to Austria and very happy with the tattoo. It's healing nicely.

- Barbara

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I am really happy with the way Jeremy took a few words that I emailed him and created this cool, one of a kind Australian piece for me. I had not seen the design until I arrived in New York and was very happy with what I saw when Jeremy showed it to me. The flow, design, detail and originality are all excellent and I'm so stoked to take such a unique tattoo back to Australia. We did the whole tattoo in one session which was a great effort and Jeremy did a good job of keeping things as fun as it can be when you have a needle grinding away at your skin for so long.

- Sam a.k.a. Aussie Man

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Jeremy is a talent. My research for my first tattoo had me walk away from tattoo shops in the city. The second I encountered Jeremy I knew he was an artist with passion. This was key for me in trusting someone to do my tattoo. Not a doubt crossed my mind when I was ready for my back piece. Nothing but the best can be expected from Jeremy. Doesn’t hurt that he’s damn interesting to talk to during your sit down!

- Brian

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It was a pleasure and an honor to have NYARTMAN design and tattoo my first piece. He came highly recommended from a Soldier buddy of mine and I'm glad I made the decision to contact him. I notified him that I was on leave from Iraq and he decided to see me despite the short notice. It was definitely a pleasant experience and I look forward to getting more work done by him upon my return in the near future. His Dedication and Professionalism brings great credit upon himself and the Art community as a whole. I salute you Mr. NYARTMAN! Hoahhhh!

- SGT Jordan
U.S. ARMY

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I had been searching for almost 3 years for the right "Artist" to slay this piece. When I came across Jeremy I knew the search was finally over. He knew exactly what I envisioned and when I came in to look at his sketch I was blown away. I was even more impressed by his professionalism, conversation and overall attitude (or lack of one I should say). Don't be stupid. If you want a sick, custom tattoo without all the pretense, just go see NYARTMAN. You will NOT regret it!

- Ramon Lopez II

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First tattoo. Hurt like hell. NYARTMAN made the process as 'painless' as humanly possible. Jeremy worked with me on the design (and for a novice like me, it took some hand-holding!) and really knew what to do, to calm, relax, to make the whole thing less scary. Came off as a complete professional in every aspect of the process. Now I have a hot, sexy tattoo and love the work. I'm really happy.

- Holly Poirier

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There are no words to express how happy I am with the end results of this amazing tattoo! Jeremy is a rare find of a tattoo artist that actually takes "PRIDE" in his work! This tattoo symbolizes something very dear and important to me and Jeremy was able to capture this on his very first try! In an era of tattoo artists that expect you to pick something off the wall because of sheer lack of creativity, it was refreshing to find this "ARTIST" willing to put in the work on something that will be with you forever.

- Peter C.

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I had an idea for my tattoo about 2 years ago. I searched all over the web and books for pictures and images of angels. Once I found the one I wanted I went to 8 or 9 other artists all throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island. I had each artist draw up my piece and every single one failed to capture my vision miserably. Out of pure luck I stumbled upon NYARTMAN's work. I brought him my idea (which consisted of a 50 year old blurry photo of my grandmother) in hopes that he can save my tattoo. I was still doubtful, thinking no one I can afford will be able to do such a detailed complex piece....until he showed me the final draft. Almost brought to tears form the beauty of it I knew this was the one. Not only did the tattoo come out remarkable, but so did the experience along with it. The 13 hour process seemed like 2 hours. He offers the true old fashioned tattooing experience that, to me, is a huge part of the art itself. Not only have I found a permanent tattoo guy but I also found a new friend. It is safe to say that NYARTMAN is one of the best tattoo artist in New York City.

- Gino D.

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Man, when I first met Jeremy, I was mad skeptical about his work. But as I got to know the brother and got to see his work in person, I was like, man this dude got some skills with the tattoo gun. So I threw this idea out to him about what I wanted on my back, since I have angels and devils on other parts of my body and he came up with this tight ass drawing. As soon as I saw it, I was blown away. All I did was give him the idea of what I was looking for and he came up with this really tight masterpiece. Some minor adjustments and you can see the end results. This man is a great artist, has mad skills and is a great person to deal with AND he started out in my hood, the L.E.S.

- Arcadio G. Sr.

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I looked for 4 long years for the ONE who would bring my piece to life. I been to other tattoo parlors searched countless hours on net when I finally came across NYARTMAN. At the consultation I absolutely knew he was the man to do exactly what I wanted. Meeting my wife was life changing experience then had my son a year later. Because of my family I'm a changed man. No more smoking or excessive drinking or the like. To show the world my new lease on life I had a certain design I had in mind. After meeting Jeremy he made it come to life and THEN SOME. This man is very humble, so dedicated to his work, that it even surprised me. I found my tattoo artist for life. His studio is very relaxed not like typical other places. So if you want someone to bring your masterpiece to life and to have ANYONE I mean ANYONE stop and stare EVERY single time. NYARTMAN is the ONLY person to see. God truly gave this man extraordinary skill that none else can match. There my be tons of artist out there, but if you want someone to make your masterpiece into a da Vinci masterpiece, this God sent is the ONLY one to see. Call for a free consultation, meet the man and see for your self what I'm raving about. It will the best call you will ever make in your life.

- Walter H.

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I came to Jeremy to get an awful piece covered up. I had seen a handful of other artists previously and they all said the task was impossible. Jeremy said not only was it possible, but the result would be amazing. He was right. His art is amazing. He is clean, methodical, and worth every penny. Take it from someone who learned the hard way about bad tattoo experiences. Go see Jeremy and get exactly what you want and all your friends will be jealous!

- Julie R.