Hidden Hand Tattoo

A few weeks ago, I got a tattoo from a different shop. It didn't turn out as I'd hoped, and so I went into Hidden Hand to talk about getting it touched up.\r \r I explained--very clearly, I thought--exactly what I wanted changed, and I brought in a picture to serve as reference. My husband accompanied me and confirms that I was specific about what I wanted.\r \r The artist, David Cho, was nice enough at first. No problem, he could do the tattoo right then. He checked to see if it was healed enough to touch up. Yes, he said, it was.\r \r As we moved through the re-touching process, he said, ""This isn't a touch-up, this is a re-do."" And I agreed; the changes I wanted were somewhat extensive. He stopped every few minutes to let me see how it was going. I'd look and then report back what I thought and the additional work needed.\r \r After about half of the work was done, he said, ""You were overthinking this 15 minutes ago."" At that point, I *should* have just gotten up and walked out, tattoo unfinished, to find an artist with patience.\r \r Instead, I tried to explain what more I wanted, and I specifically said that I wanted his opinion as an artist. He again said I was overthinking. It was clear that he wasn't interested in doing the tattoo.\r \r Towards the end, he said that the tattoo might not look very good in the end, because we had ""overworked"" the area and it wasn't healed enough for that. Which suprised the heck out of me, because I'd told him what I wanted at the beginning and he said it would be no problem, that the tat was healed enough to do the work.\r \r He mumbled his way through the aftercare instructions, and when I asked a point of clarification about ointment versus lotion, he said rudely, ""I didn't say to use ointment. I didn't say to use Elmer's glue. I said to use lotion. Do what I say; don't do what I don't say.""\r \r As I walked to my car, I felt belittled, frustrated, and scared that my tattoo was going to turn out badly.\r \r I should have walked out when I got the first warning sign. Lesson learned.\r \r I will never let David Cho near my body ever again. Maybe he was having a bad day, but that doesn't excuse his unprofessional attitude towards someone who was paying to have a piece of permanent artwork installed on her body.\r \r The other artists at Hidden Hand may be much better. I don't know, and I don't know if I'll ever go back to find out. As for the tattoo itself, I only just got home from the visit so maybe it'll turn out great. I sure hope so. Pros: Clean, well-lit Cons: David more

I have had an amazing experience every time I go to this shop. Jeff Cornell is a master of his art. I receive compliments where ever I go. I've also seen Roni and Ash who are also very talented. The shop is very clean and the decor is beautiful, unlike any shop I've been to. The other artists are very friendly and the counter staff are always helpful, they even call me to remind me of my appointments. I'll never go anywhere else and I send all my friends and family here. Pros: great artists, clean, service more

i am so happy with the salon. it is clean and organized and the customer service is amazing! the owners bend over backwards to make sure the customer have a good experience and are happy with the results. :) more

I have a decent collection of tattoos on me and have been working on my sleeve. I spent a couple days talking to artists and getting the general run around from other shops. Pros: Accurate quote directly from artist, nice crowd of artists, food and beer near by Cons: They didn't play any Alphaville or Journey more

I love this shop. So often, the feeling I get walking into many local tattoo shops is that of judgement and snobbery; being looked up and down as the employees gauge my tattoo cred. I don't walk into a shop with the idea in mind that I want to join their club, I just want a tattoo and I want one done well. Hidden Hand is not your run-of-the-mill hipster tattoo factory, and Jeff Cornell is bar-none the most laid back shop owner I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. His wife April, who manages the front-of-house operations is a cheerful little sprite, greeting the patrons as they enter, and the atmosphere is comfy and relaxed. The walls of the shop are painted in contrasting tones and decorated with Asian sculptures, masks, fans, etc., in addition to home-grown art from all of the incredibly talented artists that make up the staff at Hidden Hand. The vibe of the shop is both peaceful and energetic - you can tell the artists all respect and enjoy working with each other, which is important to me. I don't want to walk into some dark hovel with surly artists sitting around scowling and waiting to process me like a side of beef. Unfortunately, that's exactly how many local shops feel to me. The attention to detail at this shop (from electronic booking databases to overall shop cleanliness) only hints at the passion and drive they have for what they do at Hidden Hand. Not only does the shop itself make you feel at ease but the artists are top notch. Every artist has their specialty, but these artists all seem well equipped to tackle any project; from portraiture and realism to abstract, tribal and traditional. A respected artist himself, Jeff Cornell's talent does suggest that he would know talent when he sees it and as such has staffed his shop accordingly. Great care is given to each custom piece and client relations are important... No turn 'n' burn sales pitch here. This shop doesn't waste its time trying to serve two masters (there is no jewelry for sale and there are no piercing artists), it is as the name suggests: a tattoo shop. These folks have impressed the hell out of me and it is my duty to pass that information on to you. Please check them out. more

This tattoo shop is great. The artists are fab, its clean and comfortable and the customer service is excellent. Nobody's too cool for school here. You can be anyone going in to get a tattoo here and your going to have a great experience. Pros: Ambience, Service, Artistry, Friendly more

All the Stockwell's get their ink at Hidden Hand. Someday even the smallest Stockwells will be in for some work. Jeff is the Leonardo Davinci of Seattle. He doesn't tattoo you, he creates great works of art on tapestries of skin!!! Pros: bitchin tattoos Cons: only being able to get one at a time more

I was tattooed by Roni last Tuesday. This was my first tattoo from Roni, and my first tattoo at Hidden Hand. Roni is an AMAZING artist, very friendly and easy to talk to. She really listened to me, got to know me, and then drew me the perfect tattoo. The shop is clean and welcoming, beautifully decorated. I'll be back soon! Come check it out for yourself. Pros: It was all good. Cons: none. more

Tattoos. A badass way to express yourself and who you are. And there's no better Place to go then Hidden Hand Tattoo in Fremont, Center of the Universe. My twin sister and I were tattoo Beginners and what a blessing it was to find Hidden Hand. Greeted with a wonderful fung shui(ed) atmosphere, sqeaky cleanliness, and 5 star service, Hidden Hand would make even the most timid tattoo hopeful, feel welcome and comforted. They are very promt to schedule appointments and answer any of your questions as well as displaying all the artist portfolios in the foyer. The tattoo process itself was a breeze. All the tattooists are gentle, keep conversation during the tattooing itself (maybe to distract from the pain... helped me buches!), and keep your best interest in mind. Having a needle dug in your skin isn't very pleasant, but my experience at Hidden Hand Tattoo sure was!! I always recommened Hidden Hand Tattoo to my friends and my twin and I are now customers for life. The countless compliments on our ink speaks for itself. more

Tattoos, expressive forms of art that you may carry with you forever where ever you go. my twin sister and i did our homework before taking the plunge into ink. knowing Seattle as being such a diverse, and artistic city, we knew we would find a great tattoo shop that would go above and beyond our wildest dreams. we shopped around, looking at local names and local shops that we have heard refrences too, but none tickled our fancy. there was something missing, something that was worth waiting for which we didn't find yet. then, Fremont beaconed out to us, and we saw a sign for a brand new tattoo shop! as soon as we entered the doors, we were captivated by the friendly smiles that greeted us, the cleanliness, and the overall presentation of the shop. Hidden hand's motto is, ""tattoos are sacred art forms for freedom of expression and deserve the utmost respect.""(thank you and namaste). we knew, as soon as we entered that shop, that we would become customers for life! we received our tattoos literally two weeks after first entering their doors. the warmth and general care from each tattooist in the shop was so welcoming. Their comforting nature and overall love for the customer's saticfation was so humbling, i never wanted to leave! Almost everyday I get a compliment on my wonderfully crafted tattoo, which i am so proud to carry with me each and everyday. I refer ALL of my friends to Hidden Hand, saying, without a doubt in my mind, you will be overwhelmed with the amount of satisfaction you will have for your tattoo, and even that is a understatement. Pros: Ambience is a big thing for me, and they went big, SO BIG! i felt like i was in a euphoric sanctuary. Cons: none. i loved every second of being in and around hidden hand! more

Jeff, Lindsey and the crew at Hidden Hand Tattoo are among the best tattooers in the greater Seattle area if not the nation. I have had more compliments on the tattoos I have gotten from Jeff than I know what to do with. The attention to detail, professionalism and over all fantastic attitude of everyone in the shop is awesome. This fact coupled with the level of brilliance in design and skill these artists offer, you simply must visit these guys if you're int he market for a tattoo. Pros: great talent and attitude Cons: they are very busy so you might have to wait a month or so more

Hidden Hand Tattoo has by far some of the best talent in Seattle. I looked for an artist for years and then I stumbled upon Jeff Cornell's portfolio and was impressed from the start!! So impressed that I waited a couple of months before I could get in... only because I was getting a half sleeve. Anyway, this shop is the cleanest I have been in so far. Very professional and comfortable atmosphere. I would recommend this shop to anyone getting a new tattoo or someone looking for more work be done as the talent here is first class. more

The shop is very clean and organized. The tattoo artist Jeff did my tattoo and I'm very happy with his level of professionalism and the end result. I'm definately going back to Jeff for the next tattoos! more