Another year has come and gone. A year lacking the tattoos and travel that we desired. Unlike last year, unfortunate circumstances lead to us only being able to award the 2022 Tattoo Studios of Choice Award to only one shop, but that one shop was not just a pleasant surprise; it was beyond belief.
Even though we refuse to believe rumours, it’s difficult for the horror stories about getting tattoos in Mexico to not weigh heavily on one’s mind when planning to do just that. After all, most of the stories seem to be graphic renditions of tattoo and infection horror. No one deserves that.
So after eight months of going through the portfolios of countless artists from Mexico and whittling them down to our top choices for our Mexico tattoo, we ended up contacting less than five. Two studios were tied for our top choice, and we were going to visit both. Unfortunately, certain situations lead to unavailability at the time we were there.
Mexican Tatts – Tequisquiapan, Mexico
Mexican Tatts was nothing as we had expected. Although the large gate concealing the courtyard that held the shop was intimidating, it gave the wrong first impression.
The shop itself is run by a single artist. She splits her time between her home location in Tequisquiapan, a shop in Quetrétaro, and a shop in Mexico City. However, the one we are focused on is her home location.
Aside from the immense hospitality given by the owner, which is touched on in our 2022 Nomadic Inscribers of Choice Award, the shop was superb. It may just be the cleanest shop I’ve been in. It’s far cleaner than almost every tattoo shop I have been in all over North America, nothing less than immaculate. Yet, its true charm is how intimate it feels. Being there feels as if you’re being let into a part of the owner’s life that few get to see. An ability and atmosphere that we have seen many artists attempt, if only subconsciously, but very few master.
Yet, Mexican Tatts master it to such a high degree. So high that one can’t help but wish they could make this place the only place you get tattoos. An achievement we have seen and experienced in fewer shops than can be counted on one hand.
They are more than deserving to be the shop that we are lucky enough to bestow the 2022 Nomadic Inscriptions Tattoo Studio of Choice Award to.
Book at Mexican Tatts while there’s still space.
That’s All Folks
Due to situations out of our control, almost every tattoo shop we had hoped to visit this year we were unable to. Between the artists having last-minute emergencies, having to cancel some trips, and time windows not lining up properly, we really missed out.
However, with the few others that we were able to visit, we walked out of every single one. All for various reasons. Noticeable filth, evidence of boiling needles, and incredibly rude and inhospitable staff just to name a few. All of which cause low scores in our rating system.
That being said, we feel that it kind of fits perfectly. Since we only awarded one shop the Tattoo Studio of Choice Award, it feels right that it was Mexican Tatts.
Thanks for taking the time to check out the 2022 Tattoo Studio of Choice Award. Don’t forget to check out this year’s Nomadic Inscribers of Choice, as it will close this year’s Choice Awards.
Until next time, stay authentic, stay Nomadic, and let the world inscribe itself upon you more than you do upon it.
