[Final] Hot Rod Tattoo from Tauhid Chappell on Vimeo.
Hot Rod Tattoo from Tauhid Chappell on Vimeo.
Tattoo artist, Shaun Carroll, opened Hot Rod Tattoo about eight years ago with the hopes of setting his shop apart from other local tattoo places in Blacksburg, and Hot Rod Tattoo is not your typical tattoo shop.
Carroll later added artist, Graham Fisher, to the mix because of his stellar skills with a tattoo gun and Fisher’s wish to return to the area.
Fisher’s portfolio showcases his ability with color, black and white, as well as tattoo cover-ups.
Usually, when you walk into a tattoo parlor, the walls are lined with flash racks containing endless tattooing possibilities.
A client can walk in, pick out a tattoo, and that’s that.
Pick it and stick it.
Not at Hot Rod.
Hot Rod doesn’t even have flash racks.
They pride themselves on arranging custom artwork for every client.
Potential clients walk in and are immediately greeted by the shop manager, Mindi Carroll.
She’s been there for about four years and takes care of the shop’s and the artist’s everyday needs.
You bring them your idea, and with the tattooing knowledge they have and your artwork inspiration, they will custom design your body art.
That is, after you finish taking in all of the shop.
Artwork covers the right wall and your eyes are met with an array of colors and different art pieces. This is their art gallery.
It’s hard to stay focused on one wall; there are so many things to absorb.
Each and every wall contains a little bit of tattooing character and history.
Stickers, ‘No Whining’ signs, old metal hot rod signs, even temporary tattoos for the elderly cover every inch of the place.
Hot Rod’s apprentice, Carl Hill is working to the left, perfecting his artwork and playing around with the never-ending ideas flowing from his fingertips.
According to Hill, the constant challenge of fitting tattoos to the contour of the body and making the artwork look as good as it possibly can, is the reason he sought out this job.
The buzz of a tattoo gun can be heard in the background.
Fisher is working on a back piece for client, Daphne Byrun. The outline is finished, but as the snow comes down outside, talk of another session is underway.
The shop doesn’t take up much room on South Main, but the talent emanating from it does.
Fisher and Carroll have both taken home awards based on their tattoos, as well as Carroll’s other artistic medium in sculpting.
Carroll specializes in Celtic knotting, which is what he’s won other awards for as well.
He also visits Virginia Tech’s campus to guest lecture for freshmen classes on the education of tattoos and piercings.
While some of Fisher and Carroll’s artwork is showcased on the walls, the majority of their one-of-a-kind work can be seen walking around on live canvases.
Definitely not your typical shop.
We would like to give special thanks to Daphne Byrun for allowing us to videotape her session, Graham for allowing us to sit in on his work and an all-around thank you to Hot Rod Tattoo.
