Art on Skin: The Tattoo Shop Open for Business in Ellwood City

Love, loss, tributes, symbols, statements, art.

Mike Kwaczala of The Tattoo Shop has done them all.

His love of body art began a long time ago, but he recalls the true beginning 15 years ago when he started working in a shop. He stayed there for 8 years before getting out of it to try something new. But something inside told him he’d probably return to tattooing.

“I knew if I ever tattooed again,” Kwaczala said, “it would have to be me doing it in my own shop.”

Fast forward to 2016.

Kwaczala found himself moving from Greensburg, Pa to Ellwood City, where he found an instant sense of community and welcome from the Peffer family. He said Doug and John Peffer accepted him into their family, gave him a job in their business Doug Peffer’s Deer Cutting, Smokehouse, & Big Game Processing, and helped Kwaczala feel at home here in Ellwood. Although he was settling in nicely to his new town, there was that passion of tattooing nagging at him.

“Tattooing was always in the back of my mind,” he said.

Then there was an opportunity. He said he found a building and a location that fit his needs.

“It was the right place at the right time,” according to Kwaczala.

He said a strong sell was also that there isn’t another tattoo shop in Ellwood City.

Kwaczala said his love of tattoos started around the age of 14 when he got his first one. That love progressed and he is now covered with them.

“I fit the mold,” he said. “I fit right in with the crowd.”

Kwaczala admitted that he doesn’t have one certain “niche” or style of tattooing.

“I can’t pinpoint any one certain type of style as being my specialty.

He enjoys all the styles and particularly enjoys the challenge of “cover up” work.

“I take a tattoo that a client hates and turn it into something they love and are proud to show,” he said.

Reactions for Kwaczala are everything. He thrives on his clients’ excitement after getting a fresh tattoo.

“I love to watch them looking in the mirror when they love the work I’ve done,” he said. “They can’t quit looking at it.”

It’s those reactions, Kwaczala admitted are what has drawn him in and kept him captive in the world of body art. He also enjoys the emotional moments that are tied to memorials and other special tribute tattoos.

Kwaczala also enjoys another form of art: The art of conversation.

“I enjoy the conversations in getting to know my clients to gauge what they want,” he said.

Kwaczala consults with his client to determine their choice of art and a price. He said he typically charges $75 for custom work.

He recently held a “Friday the 13^th” special where he offered a quarter-sized tattoo for $13. He said about 52 people received tattoos that day. Kwaczala tattooed from 11:45 a.m. to 1 a.m. during that special. He said it was a great way to introduce himself to the community.

“That was a great day,” he said. “The community really showed up.”

Kwaczala, a perfectionist, said although some nerves set in about being a first-time, new business owner, once he had his building, he hit the ground running.

A former welder/fitter, Kwaczala did all the work to get his building ready to open to clients.

He said he spent time everyday for three months whether it was one hour or many to fine-tune his facility.

“I did everything myself,” he said. “Even the sign. I built it and put it up.”

He wanted to do it his way. He believes that first impressions are important impressions.

Because of this, Kwaczala plans to be the lone tattoo artist in his shop. Just him, his tools, and his canvas.

“I just want it to be me,” he said.

Kwaczala does credit some of his guidance to Tyree Patrick a tattoo artist in New Brighton, who was an inspiration to Kwaczala.

In addition to tattooing, The Tattoo Shop offers merchandise and jewelry. Kwaczala’s girlfriend Jennifer Felice, coordinates the merchandising as well as appointments.

The Tattoo Shop is located at 1703 Route 65 Ellwood City and is open 12-9 Monday-Saturday. Call 724-332-8526 to set up a consultation.  Their website is:
www.bestprosintown.com/pa/ellwood-city/the-tattoo-shop-/

You can also find The Tattoo Shop on Facebook: The Ellwood City Tattoo Shop and on Instagram: The_EllwoodCityTattooShop.