Local Ink
30 MAY 2 0 1 8
BY REBECCA PATTON
@BECCAPATTONSAYS
Body Language Tattoo
“Every tattoo is special,” said Body Language
co-owner Rafael Jose. “If that person
requested it, and it's going on their
skin for the rest of their lives, and they
trusted our artists to do that, it's extremely
special.”
Jose founded Body Language in 2012
with his partner, Nicole Palapoli, who is
also one of the parlor’s tattoo artists. Their
shop believes in three things: good artwork,
good customer service and a sanitary
environment.
The shop features four other tattoo artists
along with Palapoli — Carlos Guzman, Tim
O'Connor, Nasa Tsuchiya and Rain Delmar
— and they each have different aesthetics
and backgrounds. Guzman works mostly in
black and grey, for instance, while Palapoli
prefers color portraiture, although she said
in an email that her work spans a variety of
styles in order to accommodate her clients.
Jose recommended that you peruse the
artists’ work on their website or Instagram,
then come in for a consultation. Their pricing
starts at a minimum of $100.
And although “consultation” sounds intimidating,
the staff is dedicated to creating a
warm and inviting environment. “It's a place
where you're going to come by and get some
good work, be around good people, and be
happy, you know?” Jose said.
3202 34TH AVE., ASTORIA
BLTNYC.COM
EXPLORE YOUR BORO
The wonderful thing about Queens is its mammoth size, allowing for every business imaginable —
and that includes tattoo shops. Astoria, Long Island City and Sunnyside have artists that rival those
of Manhattan and even Brooklyn, but with both a homespun feel and that unique Queens flair.
I browsed dozens of artist Instagrams for this piece, and saw tattooed homages to our
beloved borough in the form of the 7 Train, The Mets logo, the Triborough Bridge and even
Long Island (which technically counts). Below are five such tattoo shops, the people who run
them, and the art they produce.
Photo via Instagram @ bltnyc. Tattoo by @ carlosguzmanart
Photos courtesy of Body Language Tattoo Photo via Instagram @bltnyc. Tattoo by @carlosguzmanart
Photo via Instagram @ gotattoonyc. Tattoo by @ blackwork_works
Photo via Instagram @ bltnyc. Tattoo by @ nasatsuchiya