Canvas Tattoo & Art Gallery — Attraction in Charlotte

Only writing this review to help people who come after me. Going by past low star reviews, I know the owner will probably write back on my review to argue, but that's not what I'm here to do. I really just want others to know what I went through before they put down their deposit.

1. The initial communication was fine, but when it came to providing my full information and setting up a consult time, I had trouble getting a response. I found out later it's because there are multiple admins, and I'm not sure anyone helps keep individual clients organized for timely responses.
2. When I went for my consult, it actually ended up being a very short appointment, where I showed the same images that I had already sent in an email to the shop, and reiterated what I wanted. And that was it. Then I needed to put down my deposit, and come back a week later to actually see the design. I just didn't understand why I sent in reference photos for nothing to be prepared for my consult.
3. When I came back for the second consult, the design was not what I wanted/expected. I really have trouble telling someone to their face, "this is completely wrong," so I tried finding ways to make it work, and was very hopeful for the updated design. He showed me a preliminary design for what he was thinking/planning to change, and said he would send the full design to me the next weekend. I never got the design that next weekend, so I emailed on Monday to ask about it. I know they're closed on Mondays, but I didn't hear back on Tuesday either, so I finally emailed again on Wednesday afternoon. Later that day, they responded, but told me I would need to wait another week for the updated design. The next Wednesday came, and I still hadn't received an updated design. (And my tattoo session was supposed to be on the following Sunday.) I reached out again, and a few hours later received a text with 2 pictures, two options for the design.
4. The design was basically what I had seen right before I left my last consult, the quick sketch he had done before I left. The only thing that was changed was that the writing I had requested below the tattoo had been added. But overall, the design didn't look any different. So I was really confused why I had to wait 2.5 weeks for something that was essentially what I had already seen.
5. So finally, we come to what really made me decide to forgo my $300 deposit and look elsewhere: I realized that this has been a terrible process for me. I didn't feel fully heard or valued as a client, and the bottom line was my design was changed, and that didn't feel right. The artist said it was because it didn't look right artistically to him, but if it's what I've asked for, and am paying for, I should get it. This design was from a card I received from my mom before she died. It's really important to me, and getting this tattoo is kinda emotional. I just needed a little bit more care through this whole design process.

Last two points: After sending an email to cancel my appointment, I did receive another design option that looked more like the card I brought in. But it still wasn't right, and the coloring had been changed (I already wanted it to more vibrant from the first design, and for some reason the colors were made darker in this one). So while I appreciate the attempt, it still felt halfhearted.

English is the second language for the tattoo artist I was working with. And while that's no one's fault, I wish there had been someone with us during our consultations to make sure I was being heard, and he understood what I was asking. I really think that led to some of the confusion in the design.

Anyway, if you've read through all of this, I wish you the best on your design and tattoo, and really hope you get what you wanted. I know these artists do good work, but now I've learned it's equally as important for you to feel comfortable with the artist and the...

Staff was great, very nice and welcoming. The shop was clean, well decorated, and visually appealing. I had read good reviews and seen some of the work from various artists at the shop, and felt comfortable choosing this shop, as someone not from the area. Unfortunately, the quality of my tattoo was not great, and certainly not worth the cost for the quality of the final piece. I don’t mind paying high end rates for nice work. I’m an artist myself and understand that an artist’s time has value. However, final outcome and quality also effects the value of a piece, and this was unfortunately not representative of what I paid. This is my 9th tattoo, but my first time at this shop or with this artist. I won’t name the artist’s name here because I’ve seen some of their other work, and they are very talented. I don’t want to sh*t on them. However, they were either in a rush the day I got mine done, or just didn’t care enough to make an effort. The lines on my piece are shaky and uneven, there are full areas that aren’t blacked in where the should be (non color tattoo,) and other areas where the ink looks smudged and lines blur together. It’s all together sloppy, and does not look like my design. It was not an incredibly difficult or detailed design. There was absolutely no after care instruction given, not even verbally. Thankfully, I know how to care for a tattoo, but even so, it healed with some scarred areas where the artist was too heavy handed while filling in the black areas. I contacted the shop and made sure to complement them on the staff and everything that was positive about my experience, before explaining the multiple issues with the tattoo and how disappointed I was (I legitimately was in tears over it at one point.) I sent very clear photos of the issues. Despite their website saying they stand behind their work, they never contacted me back. Nothing. Crickets. It leaves me feeling like their bottom line is the money, not their actual work or their clients. That is maybe the most disappointing part of this whole experience. My current artist (at another shop) was aghast at the quality for what I paid, and now has to fix the piece, which leaves me out...

I have wanted a tattoo for 20 years but could never decide what to actually get....and I HATE needles. My daughter told me about some numbing cream so finally decided to go for it after my 50th birthday. I did all my research on finding the best place in the Charlotte area, read every single review, looked at all the posted artwork, did some social media stalking to look at the work and saw this place is HIGHLY recommended and every artist is fantastic in their work. Reached out to book a consultation with whomever would be available in the near future. Again...nerves and I didn't want to chicken out. :) I was booked with ASHTON. I told her what I was trying to go for and she gave me some great ideas of how she can pull it together. We even talked about the numbing cream and what she suggested from other customers. Even reached out to one with my same fear to get the name brand so I could get the same. She went way beyond necessary but GREATLY appreciated! I booked the appointment to get the work done a few weeks out to give me time to do a little more homework for her suggestions. The day of the appointment she shows me what she came up with. LOVED IT!!! We made a few tweaks and adjustments to get the final piece to make it more and got all the feels on the final draft. Watching her work and think through it was very cool! Watching her actually do the tattoo was even cooler! As you can see from the pictures she is very detailed, even in the smallest parts (the jellyfish is only 2 inches long) to bring what I wanted to life. This tattoo is basically my story. It is myself, my 3 kids and my husband all in one piece. It still makes my heart sing looking at it and I couldn't be happier! Let me just say that Ashton was fantastic to work with. She fun, polite, very artistic and was a great pleasure to work with! Everyone there from the admin to other artists were awesome to talk to. I am now trying to decide what to get for my next one. ;) * Note: I will update more pictures once it's healed so you can see the colors in...