![]() ![]() Take one look at Smith’s work, and an underlying theme presents itself. “It’s all about paying attention to where the light source is coming from,” he says. ![]() Smith specialized in what was called a “New School” style of tattooing in the ’90s. “I liked art, and this was another avenue of art I could explore,” says the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts graduate. Jesse Smith of Loose Screw Tattoo started tattooing out of his home in Newport News two decades ago. “The more relaxed you are in your environment, the more creative you feel the better the stuff is that you’re producing,” Richey says. Each room in the Heroes & Ghosts shop is customized by the resident artist. It’s decorated from floor to ceiling with Richey’s art, personal photos, animal skulls, ink and tools. The room is filled with natural light spilling in from windows with a view of Cary Street. On a warm Saturday in May, Witham sits in Richey’s room to get his ink. “I spent weeks going through portfolios on Twitter and Instagram and thought Josh was the best of what I wanted,” Witham says. Corson Witham says he looked extensively for just the right artist to realize his nautical-themed sleeve concept. Richey is known for his realism, portraits, landscapes, outdoor themes and wildlife. The artists at Heroes & Ghosts are sought after for their distinct individual styles. “We try to keep the environment here as mellow as possible while still putting out good tattoos,” Richey says of the staff. Today, the shop has seven tattoo artists on staff, and he plans to hire another. Richey became a co-owner two and a half years ago. He was also one of the first artists on staff at Heroes & Ghosts when Grady and Susie Nash opened the shop in 2008, originally located whereĬarytown Bicycle Co. He’s one of many tattoo artists who have made the move to Richmond to earn a living in the body art industry. ![]() Richey says of the local tattoo culture and business, “It has grown substantially since I’ve been here.” He got his start in Detroit before moving to Richmond for a position in the new shop. Josh Richey has worked at Heroes & Ghosts since it opened in 2008. Be on the lookout for the studio’s refresh, as well as the possible addition of some new tattoo artists to the team.ģ035 W. Wall says Black Rabbit will be repainting and getting new floors this summer. Fans ascend from all over for a full day of tattooing, food trucks and more.īlack Rabbit also welcomes walk-ins every day from noon to 2 p.m., which isn’t common among tattoo shops. Wall and her team post flash art options on social media before events like this. International Sailor Moon Day (held last month) is always well-attended each summer. “Anything to do with Sailor Moon, anime, gaming and anything else fandom-related, we are sought out for that,” Wall says.Ĭustomers fly in from California and drive from out of state to come to Black Rabbit, especially for its flash events that take over the neighborhood. Several of the store’s artists, including Wall, are requested by customers for their anime creations. Rosemary Shackleford’s portfolio is filled with colorful and detailed animal portraits that are both playful and grim. Jelena Wolves’ traditional pieces range from Mickey Mouse portraits to scorpions and skeletons. Her shop has six tattooists, each with her own devoted following. She’s been a tattoo artist for more than 10 years in Richmond. Wall opened the shop with her husband, Ryan Wall, in November 2015. The goal is to make people feel comfortable.” “I wanted to create a space that would be more inclusive,” says co-owner Kimberly Wall. The dusty purple walls of Black Rabbit Tattoo are neatly yet completely patterned with framed images of Sailor Moon and other anime characters along with artwork by the shop’s artists, all of whom are female. ![]()
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