Virginia Beach is the place we call home, and yesterday afternoon unthinkable tragedy struck our beloved city. There are a lot of things that could be said, but finding the right words can be very difficult in times like these. Our hearts are with everyone affected and grieving in our community. We can pull through this together. #VBstrong
New shirts are in, and there is a limited quantity, so get them fast!
The MUSE Project with 13 News Now - WVEC covered Red 5! Here’s the article to check out!
Two exceptionally talented tattoo artists tackle stereotypes surrounding the art of tattooing with their business in Virginia Beach.
The holiday season is here! Customers have until 12/22 to snatch this deal:
Offer applies to t-shirts only, while supplies last.
We are currently in search of a new staff member on our customer service end.
Job duties include booking appointments for clients on our (sometime complicated) system so we ask that applicants are computer savvy, and quick learners. The available position is for Friday and Saturday only. Please understand that no apprenticeships will be offered at any point, and this is strictly customer service related.
If you would like to apply, please send your resume and why you’d like to work with us to red5tattoova@gmail.com
Applicants must be 18 or older.
Our newest t-shirt design is in! Black and White shirts avaiklable. Limited quantity, sizes XS-XXL, $20 each - shipping avaivable (contact us for information)
Back by popular demand! Our black 3D hand print! Limited quantity, sizes XS-XXl, $20 each
Unfortunately Anna Ramirez had two piece of art stolen while our studio's artwork was on display at Zeke's this past month. If you know where they may be please contact Anna at annarttt@gmail.com or us at red5tattoova@gmail.com
Tax returns mean a little bit of extra money for your new tattoo. Stop by the studio and book an appointment!
There are few things quite as amazing as seeing a living legend represent your studio. Whang-od has been tattooing for 85 years, and at the young age of 100 she doesn't seem to be slowing down. She is known for being the last living traditional Kalinga tattooer, and it's a long -but worthwhile- journey to receive a tattoo from her. Renato Garcia, one of Chris Garcia's brothers, was fortunate enough to get tattooed by her and made this incredible photo a reality. This is a truly an honor, and incredibly appreciated.
This time of year, we love that clients come in and purchase things for our studio to give to a loved one in hopes of getting them tattooed. There's nothing better than a permanent gift.
We also receive a lot of calls around Christmas from people wanting to get their kids tattooed. Though we appreciate wanting to trust us with a permanent work of art, we do not tattoo under 18 for any reason. What can we recommend for your 17 year old? Get them a gift card, which never expires, and have them start planning a beautiful work of art, then set an appointment for their 18th birthday. You can show your support, and also ensure that they will receive a beautiful and professionally done piece. It also allows plenty of time for a solid tattoo idea to be made, and gives something to look forward to.
What ever gifts you choose to give, we hope you have a safe and happy holiday season!
Our new shirts are finally here, and ready to go home with you! Sizes XS - 2XL. $20 each.
We still have a few hats in stock, $30 each, and enamel pins are $5, but free with the purchase of a hat.
We are often silent about many subjects but this is one we can, and will, get behind and support. For those of you who don't know, there is a tattoo school opening in Philadelphia, and many tattooers in the community are taking a stand.
A tattoo school is a place where people pay to learn the basics of how to tattoo at an accelerated pace. They get a certificate, and essentially expect to immediately get jobs in the industry. Traditionally, tattoo apprenticeships are earned through hard work, dedication, and (lets be honest) going through a lot of shit you don't want to deal with, and it breaks your ego down which helps prove your heart and drive to want to do this for the right reasons, and not just for a temporary cool card in a trade you'll give up in a few years or hand out to all your friends. Tattooing is a craft that should be handed down through generations, but unfortunately it's become something that's handed out instead.
Eric Perfect has been working to show people in Pennsylvania that they are being taken advantage of for money, and attending one of these school is the least appropriate way to enter the industry. With signs stating "Apprenticeships are earned not bought" and "You are being exploited" the hope is that the school will be shut down, and those wanting to attend will instead choose to look into going about tattooing the respectful way instead of giving money to a greedy culture mooch. Eric's posts have been geared towards showing the truth behind this school, it's motives, and the stolen art they're using to promote it. He's also making it known that not everyone is a good fit for tattooing, and in our opinion he is 100% correct. Just because you like the idea of being a tattooer doesn't mean you deserve to be walked in the door and put in a booth.
Earlier this year, Freddy Corbin and a group of supporters proved that if we stand together, it is possible to run Tattoo Schools out of this sacred trade.
The bottom line is that we stand with them in choosing to protect the trade and the integrity of tattooing. You can't demand respect when you didn't earn it, and you can't expect to be taken seriously by those who have earned it the traditional way. It's not about being a snob, it's about believing in working for the things you want instead of having them handed to you. We're staring at a generation of people who expect to be given whatever they want and think they deserve to just throw money out for a quick lesson in something many spent years earning.
Respect is earned, not handed out or purchased.
As many of you know, Martin Buechler has left for the summer, and we are unsure of a return date. Because of this, we have temporarily removed his portfolio to avoid booking confusion. He will be missed, and we hope he has a blast training dogs and experiencing the US!
Rob Beresford is currently out of town bettering himself as an artist, learning, and growing at the Explorer Tattoo Conference, and he will be back in the studio Thursday June 22, 2017.
We will be closed on the 4th of July, and re-open for normal hours on July 5th.
Chris Garcia will be out of the studio July 5-21, and will be back normal hours July 22.
Lastly, Michael Truitt will be returning for a guest spot July 26-29, and we are stoked to have him back! Find a brief portfolio here.
We are running a free t-shirt and hooded jacket special through the 23rd! Here's your chance to get TWO gifts for the price of one!
Some of you have already heard, but the official news is that Matt Clarke will be moving to Asheville, NC. His last day with us will be Friday October 7th, so get in while you can!
We're sad to see him go, but happy for this new chapter in his life!
Jesse Smith stopped by the studio today and dropped off fliers for the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival which will be September 30 - October 2 this year. Carl Fuchs and Chris Garcia will be on the list of artists attending, and if you're in the area you should check it out!
Last weekend we participated in an event put on at Pungo Sports Bar by FTW Cycles.
The event featured one of the only female eat coast stunt riders, Christina Billings, and she was awesome!
Another event is being planned, and hopefully it pans out because this was really cool to see and more people should experience it!
Here's the flier:
And one of our new friends from our booth neighbors at Pit Bull Awareness Coalition!
Christina (left) with Alley (right), Red 5's front manager (me), after her show. She was so sweet and awesome!
It was hot, but it was fun!
Here's some work done over the weekend at the Virginia Beach Tattoo Convention:
Rose of No Mans Land done by Chris Stoll
Dragon head done by Chris Stoll
Mountain Lion done by Martin Buechler
Ship in a bottle done by Martin Buechler
Candle and books done by Martin Buechler
Just Peachy done by Martin Buechler
We're glad you had fun, guys, and glad to have you back in the studio!
Who is excited to see it? Who has concerns? What do you think about the way the characters have been altered, including tattoos?!
We've had a lot of questions regarding the upcoming tattoo convention in Virginia Beach, and we are pleased to announce that Chris Stoll and Martin Buechler will be tattooing at the convention all weekend August 12-14, 2016 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
If you have questions regarding appointments, please contact those artists.
RED 5 TATTOO | 2014 | All Rights Reserved | 757-644-6484 | red5tattoova@gmail.com
