Bohemian Tattoo — Attraction in Eureka

I have been working with Galen for the past half year on finishing out a sleeve on my right arm. I chose him because I liked his art nouveau style and while I was going with tide pool and ocean scenes, the detailed flower work and fine line work I saw in his portfolio looked like it would be great for the fine spikes on the urchins and jelly fish tendrils.

He absolutely lived up to my expectations on those details but I didn't expect his color work to be as astounding as it is! It is almost photo realistic but without the uncanny valley feeling; it is just amazing to look at the starfish and the minute little different changes in color and you think when you touch it that it will feel rough like a starfish in a touch tank or that the little anemone will have that soft edge like they do.

I absolutely recommend his shop! I have had a lot of tattoo work done at many shops so have had good and bad experiences. His price is fair at $200 an hour for what I am getting, though different work can cost different amounts, which is what I would expect for the work and in this area. I am a compulsive hygiene watcher and he is better than any doctor I have had about not touching anything once he has his gloves on or changing them if he has and, of course, follows all of the standards with disposable caps, needles, barriers, and so forth.

OH! The only thing I was going to suggest was that he has a really strong work ethic and he tattoos SOLID the whole time you are there. Most shops I have been at talk and chat and stop a lot more so you really are only in the chair for like half the time you are there, but with Galen, the amount of work you get done in 3 hours IS 3 hours and is HUGE which is great for the price, but if you are not used to being in the chair without breaks for that long it can be rough. I would suggest for people to be honest about asking for breaks and speaking up if it starts getting intense. I wanted to say that for any new folks who haven't had many large pieces done, not to discourage you, but so you don't feel bad asking for a break. Maybe you don't need to hear that but when I was young I would have never known it was OK to ask, so I thought I would share that. Dude works his butt off!

I will try to add better photos later because the color work is so good but his portfolio is online also... I have nothing but good things to say about my experience so far and will...

I have been searching for a local artist that fit my style and stumbled upon Galen. No disrespect to other local artists; I just hadn’t found the type of work I wanted for my piece and thought I would need to travel out of county. It was an unexpected bonus to walk into a shop that didn’t feel like another greasy macho parlour. It just is a much more inclusive and welcoming shop than others. I did not work with Alejandro but chatted with him during a break, who was also very warm and open. Galen listened to my vision, sent me images to make sure he was on track, and went over his impressions and advice the day of. Galen didn’t simply copy and paste my inspiration pieces; he shared his advice on lines and longevity. The piece signified a relationship and I requested 2 Sandhill Cranes in the midst of a mating ritual. I was moved to see videos of the specific birds and mating ritual on his iPad, clearly doing his homework. He was upfront about the length of sessions and took several small breaks, which allowed me to stretch and use the restroom. I needed those breaks! The piece is beautiful and I have already received wonderful feedback about the image, color and lines. This was two sessions, both just under 3 hours each. The piece feels at home on my skin. I can’t imagine I would seek out anyone else for my next tattoo. Thank you, Galen! I...

I came in to get a 13-year anniversary present, 22nd of June. He canceled two appointments for family things. Cool, fine, right. He sends one picture of a mermaid. Like 3 weeks later. It should have been pinup girl-like, not little-mermaid-like and it needed fairy wings.. My wife n kid spent weeks drawing and designing tatoos from random pics online. Tracing it from printed pictures off a borrowed printer.

Galen, (might have spelled that wrong, we didn't speak much), had sent one more picture over the next 3 months that looked like the same as the first. That's it, September 22nd. He hasn't kept in touch. He doesn't set any appointments. I live In Shelter Cove so that's 2hrs away. And he canceled those appointments that were set in the first three weeks, on the same day, for his family, so I was cool...but I still missed work, drove up there and lost money on food and for a tattoo artist who took my whole 200 dollar deposit. When I asked for just half of it back so we could call it even, he said no. Dont trust this guy... there's more but...if u...