Tattoo artist near Johnston, RI: Chris Valencia

How far is Cranston from Johnston?

About twelve minutes door to door, and Johnston is one of the easier towns to leave from. Route 6 east from Hartford Avenue flows into Route 10, and Route 10 ends at Reservoir Avenue, close to the shop. If you’re near Atwood Avenue or Thornton, head south on Atwood into Cranston and cut east on Park Avenue.

Coming off I-295, Route 6 east is the simplest choice; Route 37 east works too, but it drops you onto Route 2 near Garden City and you follow it north from there. Either way, budget a few extra minutes at school pickup time. Street and lot parking both exist; confirm which when you book.

What happens at a first appointment with Chris?

You’ll check the drawing, agree on size and placement, and see the stencil on your skin before any needle touches it. Then the session itself, with breaks when you need them, and aftercare instructions before you leave. Nothing is rushed, because the shop is appointment-only and your slot is yours.

A first session, in order:

1. Bring a government photo ID. No ID, no tattoo, even if you’ve been in before.
2. Eat a real meal an hour or two before. Low blood sugar is the main reason people feel faint in the chair.
3. Wear clothes that expose the placement and that you don’t mind getting a little ink on.
4. Check the stencil honestly. Moving it costs nothing; regretting it costs plenty.
5. Take the aftercare instructions seriously. The aftercare page repeats them, but what Chris tells you in person wins.

Which of Chris’s styles should I ask for?

Illustrative if you want it drawn like a picture, neo-traditional if you want bold lines and rich color, new-school if you want a cartoon with the volume up. Chris draws all three with the same fun, surreal, animated bent, and he’s happy to blend them. Cover-ups are assessed in person first.

Have a look at the style pages (illustrative, neo-traditional, new-school, cover-ups) and the portfolio. If you’re thinking about a pet piece, the portfolio has a couple: a husky’s face folded into a paw print, a pit bull wrapped in Christmas lights. A walk around Johnston Memorial Park with the dog is a fine place to decide.

How do I book from Johnston?

Send a booking request with the idea, the placement, a rough size and any reference images, or phone Powerline at (401) 369-7771. Powerline is appointment-only, so the form is how the calendar opens; you’ll hear back by email, and a deposit, confirmed when you book, holds your date. Ask about same-week openings if you’re flexible.

Request a booking or read how pricing works first.