Devine Street Tattoo — Local services in Columbia

I had an absolutely horrible experience at Devine Street. I started a sleeve with Mike. 5 hours into the tattoo, he says he needs to stop so he doesn't make mistakes. Whoops. WAY too late. The tattoo is crooked, sloppy, and done in a way that is nearly impossible to fix.

I messaged Mike to address the concerns the next day and he was dismissive and downplayed it. My biggest concern it that the trees arent lined up straight with each other. Mike says "well trees in nature arent always straight".......WHAT?? That's how you explain horrible layout, and a lack of preparation and skill???

So I wait a month and went in to see what the plan was to fix it. He wouldn't even look up at me as hes smoking and drawing on his iPad. He had me schedule another sitting which I did, and he seemed to have nothing left to say. So I left quite angry. I tried calming down and waited till the next morning to message again. To say my message was kind would be a lie, but I had brought his horrible work to him twice at that point and he dismissed me twice with apathy. Apparantly his feelings were hurt by my mean message calling his work what it was, and he says he wont fix the tattoo or refund me.

As long as this tattoo is on my arm looking like this, I will go out of my way to try to spare anyone else from getting mutilated with garbage work and unprofessional levels of apathy and lack of integrity.

-Livid

Edit: Yes, I think it would be best for your customers to see my tattoo. Great idea Mike! Save someone else the embarrassment of having your garbage on them for the rest...

After prior research online, I had high hopes for this tattoo shop. Upon entering, my girlfriend and I were immediately off-put by the demeanor of the two artists at the front desk. The two men were unwelcoming upon first greeting, and acted superior and demeaning. I gave a description of my tattoo idea and pulled up a reference picture. We were directed to an artist who looked at the reference and immediately stated he was going to “find a better one.” The reference was of a bleeding heart flower vine. It was a simple fine line tattoo, and the picture was perfectly clear. After going back to find a different reference, the artist returned and presented a distinctly different tattoo that was entirely unlike the reference I had given. At least the flower was the same kind. When I asked if it could be more like the reference, the artist was exceedingly rude. He seemed offended by our request for a different design - as if it was going on his own body. I asked if the design could be straightened out, like the reference, and he said “I can give you a bad tattoo if that’s what you want.” Keep in mind, it was a simple bleeding heart flower tattoo that I wanted because my grandma grew them in her garden. He asked “is this your first tattoo?” When I said yes, he replied “Oh, that makes sense”, as if the whole concept was stupid. I left after that conservation and had a wonderful first experience at another tattoo shop: Abzolute Ink. I highly recommend going there instead. Don’t bother with this place unless you want your tattoo idea insulted...

All I’m gonna say is, people have to stop using tattoo artists who don’t care about you, how your piece looks, or how you take care of it. Devine street tattoo does all of that. Not only do they take time to explain the process to people during their first time, but they listen to their clients and give them what they want. They are extremely careful about blood, and take care to keep everything as clean as a doctors office, if not cleaner. Excellent environment with hundreds of different pieces covering the walls that can inspire you, not to mention the personal books filled with ideas and pictures that each artist has. The person working the front desk is always friendly and happy to help with any thing you could need. Both Kyle and Jonathan have done pieces on me, and both are extremely nice and insanely talented. If you go in with and idea, the guys at DST can make it come to life. Even after the tattoo is complete, they make sure to inform you of the proper way to take care of it so it comes out looking it’s best, and will answer questions even WEEKS after your tattoo appointment. All in all, 10000/10 recommend this place for anyone looking to get a tattoo, new or experienced. They do walk ins most days, but it’s always safe to set an appointment for your tat/consultation. Keep up the great work guys!

P.S.- extra points for awesome music taste. They play almost any and every genre you can think...