Memento Tattoo and Gallery — Attraction in Columbus

I highly recommend Memento Tattoo & Gallery. I have been there multiple times while getting work done on a shoulder to hip back/side piece. Every time I am there I am warmly greeted, and it is incredibly clean and bright. I have been to other tattoo shops and immediately when I walk in I feel intimidated and as if I'm being judged right off the bat and that I am 'just another appointment'. Memento is nothing like that, and that was a really nice feeling. These artists take pride in their work, make you feel welcome, and make sure you leave happy.

I have been working with Iggy Sweeney, a very talented artist at the shop. I sent him photos via email and the first time I met him in person he had taken my photo examples and created a beautiful drawing. He made sure I was completely satisfied with the placement of the stencil, making sure I felt comfortable enough to voice an opinion if there was anything I didn't like (about the drawing itself, or seeing it on my body). Every appointment with Iggy thereafter was great. While working on my tattoo, he was completely focused on it. He doesn't miss any tiny detail and told me right off the bat that he will keep working on it until both of us are happy with it and that he refuses to rush it. Hearing that made me feel like he understood how important this tattoo is to me and he wanted it to be perfect. I left every appointment watching my tattoo come to life. Iggy truly has a way of making any tattoo into a work of art that you will keep finding new things to love about. I am in awe of what he is able to do and so thankful that he took so much time and care in working on it. I am so in love with my piece and show it off any chance I get. I can say with no hesitation that if you are looking for an artist that will really listen to what you want, and create something that truly beautiful and meaningful, Iggy is...

While Iggy at Memento was tattooing, one of the other artists asked if he was doing re-work because the linework was so bad. That's NOT what you want to hear when you're getting a tattoo on your back you haven't been able to see!

Keep in mind that the books and internet galleries display the BEST work an artist does. Don't expect a repeat performance. Iggy took some basic sketches I did and turned them into... a tattoo the basic sketches I did. Although I paid for design, he put in zero effort over the next six months. I ended up with a tattoo of my first draft of a design--almost. At that point I was fine with it, because it was clear I wasn't going to get anything better out of him. I did like the design I drew, although I thought I'd get some professional critique and improvements. So I sat in the chair.

Oh, and his per-hour rate includes the hour he takes for lunch while you're sitting there half naked.

I have a mostly-ok looking tattoo, with significant hypertrophic scarring in areas where I told him the needle didn't feel right. He didn't make any adjustments, just said to deal with it, it wouldn't be a problem.

I don't regret the tattoo, but I do regret my choice of artist. I wish I had known better.

I'll need to get this re-worked sometime soon. In the second session, he augmented the original design by freehanding an elementary school Joker-style smile to the profile of the figure...

Memento Tattoo is simply the best. I was looking for a smaller, but special tattoo last minute before moving at the end of the week. I found Ant, a wonderful artist at the shop, and DM’d him through Instagram for inquiry. He got back to me super fast and we had a booking planned the next day! Once I got there, my nerves set in… This was my first tat and I decided to get it done on my ribs of all places (known to be a particularly “tender spot”) but Ant assured me the entire time and made sure I was comfortable and happy the entire process. So kind and understanding! From making some last minute adjustments to my celestial piece… to the very end, showing me exactly what to do to properly care for my tat afterwards… Ant was the best! Not to mention, the entire staff was friendly, funny, and very welcoming to a newbie like me. The atmosphere/decor was engaging and eye catching… And, the facilities were so clean. They know what they are doing. ✨ So many wonderful, talented artists to look into, all very versatile in their craft. Please go...