ONE of Limerick’s best known tattoo artists has received the plaudits of an international industry legend – to such an extent that the pair are to set to join forces in a new business.
All Star Ink tattoo artist and owner Ross Nagle was praised by Ami James as being one of the “best in the business” recently when the Miami Ink maestro spent a week in Limerick.
Famed for his TV show appearances and five shops worldwide, Ami James hailed Ross as one of Ireland’s top tattoo artists and the link up for a new store comes as a glowing endorsement to the Limerick man.
All Star Ink owner Ross Nagle told the Limerick Post that it ”makes me proud to bring this to our shores”.
However, Shannonside customers will have to travel to to reap the fruits of Nagle’s All Star Ink expansion as the new store takes him to Cork.
The Limerick tattoo artist said that he is delighted that the next phase of the business is the opening of a second store and to work with James.
“Myself and Ami James have been talking about doing this project for over a year or so now. I’ve worked in his shops out in Miami, New York and London and it was our plan to make this powerful partnership and bring the Love Hate brand to Ireland.”
Speaking after his week long guest appearance in Limerick and Cork where lucky punters were able to book a slot with the tattoo star, Ami James said that “Ross is one of the most established artists in Limerick and I was delighted to hear that he wanted to expand.
“He said to me that it was about time I opened a shop in Ireland and we are looking at Cork and hope to be open next month but time will tell – you know how this stuff works.”
41-year-old James has tattoo shops in Miami, New York and London and is co-owner of Love Hate choppers and deVille clothing, two brands synonomus with his TV appearances and the industry.
On linking up with Limerick’s Ross Nagle and finding the right artists to work with, the Miami Ink star said that finding the right people like Ross to work with was the key to success.
“The most importiant thing is about quality control in what you do especially when you are playing with people’s lives and we try and find great tattoo artists around the world.”
On the challenges posed by having stores around the world and looking to open a sixth now in Ireland, James said: “I’m going to do it slowly as it takes a long time to find people you trust and to make sure they don’t trash the brand to the ground.
“There is no shortage of great artists in Ireland, there just isn’t as many as you need.”
The celebrity tattoo artist said that having created the brand with international recognition, it was important that the brand retained its association with quality and good tattoos.
And what can tattoo fans look forward to at the new store?
Ross says; “We’ll have guests from all over the world coming through the shop catering to everyone’s taste in styles”.
The store is due to open late September.
