Studios in the Philippines are far away from being like that. The studios I went to in Ortigas, in Araneta, in Quezon City, in Cubao, and in Makati are super small and when you enter the room it looks like there is a family gathering that is okay since I figured out that Filipino people are not shy when it comes to small and like cuddly places. Is that in favor of the guests? Not always I think. We are all different humans with different desires. I think a place that will change your life by getting a tattoo should be a place where you will love to go. Did I? In this post, I will give you my honest answer.
So where is this arte tattoo studio? It is located in 203 Gen. Luna, Poblacion, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines. Are you familiar with the Z Hostel? As a bag packer and night owl staying out most of the time in Makati, you should. It is only a 5 minutes walk away.
The studio itself says: a Tattoo is a form of healing meditation. This is a statement I partly agree with. I think a tattoo is a piece of art and this will stick to/with you forever. It is a symbol, can be something you want to heal from, but most of all something for you. So you see that the "you" is in focus and it does not matter who you are and where you are from. A tattoo is an art that will always belong to you.
Why do I mention that? This is the reason for all my tattoos. Some are a reminder to take care of yourself, some are a symbol of healing, some are just art to meditate and to go inside of you, listen to your heart and what's inside and bring it outright on your skin.
The look is like this inside of the studio.
The just recently moved to Makati and open their doors for all walk-ins and scheduled'. You are not private which I wished for but there is that family spirit in that room. When I went to Janina or to Quezon, everything was handmade, the draft, the draw, and the sketches. Here it is not. They are professional in using photoshop software to arrange your desired tattoo. When I went to Janina and Quezon I did these tattoos by myself with all my heart and passion. I did them from the very first sketch and she even allowed me do put the preprint on my arms by myself. In arte everything is done for you from the beginning on. It is convenient. They are extremely professional I really have to say. Before I forget, the reason why I went there is because Janina's Master learned his art in arte and after that he trained her. So there is a connection between Janina's art and arte tattoo.
All designs look really really detailed, and professional, too. Of course, this is something that you may expect when you go to a tattoo studio. The artists are very accommodating and friendly. My artist was Ogie. I sadly cannot share a lot of details about him, unlike Janina. But that is fine. Do I wish to always get to know to the artist first? Well, with me personally I wish so, but he was very concentrated on focused on his work, which is good. I liked that also.
The price is fair but wait. What do you call a fair price? Ten tattoos for like around 20.000 pesos (400 Euros) or two 12 inches wing on your shoulders for 25.000 pesos (480 Euros) or a tattoo that is 11 inches and costs 15.000 pesos (300 Euros). I don't mind to mention that I went there when they had their 50% for walk-ins. It is expensive but if you will consider the things I said before you may get an idea of why it is like that, but I would have paid around 30.000 pesos without that discount. Or is it because of its celebraties owners? Find it out by yourself and I know that a lot of people, students, and foreigners are reading this so give it a try. If you are looking a studio with the special character as I mentioned go for arte. Find your place where you want to change your life and arte is one of the good ones.
When I visited Janina in Germany (my first tattoo studio and artist) I was offered snacks and cola, in Quezon and in arte tattoo there was none like that but there are small convenience stores around the studio including a Korean barbecue restaurant.
Retouches are for free in all studios I went so far so I guess it is a service that is included everywhere, but I am not sure if that is a standard globally.
Arte tattoo is advertising that they are using vegan ink. Is that maybe the reason for the high price. Not sure as well, but maybe if you look around in other markets vegan products are generally speaking high priced like my vegan leather leggings, where I paid 15 dollars more compared to the PVC ones.
Arte Tattoo is also providing piercing services. Their social media on Instagram can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/artetattooph/
I am sure it is a place that I will remember, I am sure that arte is a place that will be burned into my heart and memories like its tattoo do for everyone. I am not yet with my arm and art on it.
People asked me if I will go back to the studio or not. I always answered them, that you always go back to where you got your things from that created memory in your life no matter if you go back just in your mind or physically and that is something I can sign for the credits of arte tattoo, so thank you for this experience and thank you for you art, services, and arte which is an old Spanish word for art.
