Originally posted on GarageBoyzMagazine.com Issue # 4
Bethesda Tattoo Company is as top notch as you would expect. It is crisp, clean and a fun and beautiful environment. Each tattoo artist's work area feels like a studio within a studio. The shop has a vibrancy that makes you just want to be there. The staff is friendly and cheerful and there is this genuine feeling of artistic passion and client care that exists within the shop. Shop owners James Hughes' goal to "shatter the image of the old tattoo shop" has been accomplished in spades. You truly feel as though your entering a world of art and expression the minute you walk in the door. Their location in Bethesda gives the shop a great mix of clients, with a good influx of first timers as well as a large returning customer base. Each artist takes a genuine interest in their client and treats every tattoo as the most important one they will ever do. This breeds loyalty from the clients, as well as a feeling of relaxation and comfort for the new to tattoos customer. Being convenient to Metro as well as being in the middle of one of the premier restaurant districts in the region,makes it easy to make a day out of stopping by the studio.
"All day, every day, your work is permanent and shows and speaks for itself "...James
JAMES
I met James, the owner of Bethesda Tattoo Company, back in the early 1990's when he was reasonably new to the industry. He was a young guy with a great attitude and an eagerness to learn all he could about his industry. At the time he was working at the very fast paced shop next door to me, Capitol Tattoo in Silver Spring. The shop would have people lined up waiting for them to open. James was working along guys that would really make their mark in the tattoo world like Seth Ciferri, Mike Smith and Matt Rinks. James has also tattooed at some of the finest shops in the region including 3 years with Dragon Moon as well as having worked with Aaron Caine and Vinnie of Little Vinnies.Now after well over a decade later James has managed to open a top quality shop in one of the counties most upscale cities Bethesda, Maryland. James, is a true student of his craft and is constantly looking for inspiration, and to see and experience new things, This reflects in his very diverse tattooing, as he loves and practices any and all artistic styles, from old school, to Japanese, to modern and everything in between. His strong desire to create a great experience for his clients, comes from years of being in and around the tattoo industry. He has seen tattoo artists who have a ho-hum attitude as they crank out quick flash pieces to make a buck, to skilled craftsman who live for the art of tattooing. He has never forgotten what it was like to get his first tattoo and he makes it his mission to make sure that his customers walk away with a positive feeling about themselves, their new ink and their experience with him and his shop. He especially loves when the client is excited about their tattoo and its deep personal meaning to them, he believes that "when a client has passion, the artist can feed off of it". No matter how many tattoos James has given or received his love for his art and this medium is deep rooted within him. He loves all aspects of being a tattoo artist, from building his own machines, to consulting with the client, to seeing the happiness and satisfaction of the client as they are seeing their completed piece for the first time. James has brought this love of his industry to his shop, and has established a staff that is knowledgeable & friendly. This in turn has given Bethesda Tattoo it's stellar reputation and assures a long and lasting relationship with past & future customers. On a personal note, I must say, how proud I am of James and what he has accomplished. His artwork has always been top notch, even way back in his early days. I have a few of his pieces of his early work that have stood the test of time. He has put his heart and soul into creating this dream shop, and truly has paid his dues. He is a great guy, who has worked very hard and deserves to be where he is today, one of the regions finest tattoo artists creating and maintaining a shop that other future great tattoo artists will surely grow from. Good Luck James.
STEVE
Steve Labofish may the newest member of the Bethesda Tattoo family, but he's far from new to tattooing or art. He has been laying down some tremendous ink in the local area for well over a decade. Steve is also a natural artist who works in other mediums including some sick showing stopping bike and car paint jobs as well as helmets and pinstriping. You can see his work at his website http://www.coolkustom.com/main.htm. He is a true Kustom artist and I hope to write a future Featured Artist article on him and his work.
LEA
Lea is a second generation female tattoo artist that grew up in and around the industry. Her mother was a tattoo artist and she has been following in her footsteps and has been tattooing since the age of 17. Her gallery section on the shop's website http://www.bethesdatattoo.net/lea/gallery.htm is an amazing showing of her diverse style. The flaming tricycle and the Betty Page devilish pinup are just two of my personal favorites. Her work and her friendly demeanor are just another fine example of thequality and passion of the artists at Bethesda Tattoo.
"The customer experience is a top priority..."
JAMES FINISHING UP GABRIEL'S SLEEVE
ALEX CONSULTS WITH JAMES FOR HIS NEXT SESSION
Behind every great artist there is an inspiration, just as behind every great man there is a great women. James credits his wife Kim as being all of this and more. Not only does she provide inspiration, but she also keeps the behind the scenes of this wonderful shop running smoothly.
Tattoo apprentice Adam working up some sketches
Future piercer Michelle
click on the banner to visit Bethesda Tattoo Company's Website
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