Erik is absolutely the best. He did my wife's tattoo which was a hand sketched tree from her great grandma and a little note written buy her on a birthday card looked identical couldn't recommend him more!!! Read Less

Probably wont be going back. Here is a pick of what I wanted, and what I got, nothing close to it. Got it done by Ryan, "their best tattoo artist". at a low price of $500. He would ask me what I would like, but would not take any of my ideas. He was also really aggressive with the fresh tattoo. Ee also flirting with all the girls. I also got a arm band for $300 with Chris. took about an hour, you don't even wanna see that one. Go at your own risk. Now I will need to go and get if redone somewhere ales. Read Less

Great place to get an excellent tattoo from talented and personable artists......Erik and Ryan are great artists that can really bring your vision to life. Erik did an amazing job on my lively wife's dragon tatoo with geisha. These guys are great and the prices are amazing. Read Less

Thank you Ryan for the fantastic tattoo! Such a hard worker... he worked on my arm for 5 hours straight without taking any breaks! That's hardcore dedication. I've been approached by strangers all week to tell me how much they like my new tattoo. Thanks again! Read Less

Ryan was so amazing! I wanted a sunflower and the one he drew was so realistic looking and I loved the colors and detail and time he put into it. I get compliments on my tattoo every single place I go and they wonder who did it. I definitely recommend Ryan. It was my first tattoo and I was kind of freaking out but he was really funny and it really helped and once he got started i realized it really didn't hurt. It healed really fast and is still so vibrant. I will definitely be going back! : ) Read Less

Erik is an amazing artist!! I loved the atmosphere at the shop. I felt comfortable the whole 6.5 hrs I was getting work. He was able to capture my ideas and turn them into an amazing piece. Still have more work to be done and look forward to it! Read Less

Just absolutely AMAZING! I had a 1st session piece done (Hellboy) with Erik C, and he was absolutely wonderful! The other artists were amazing and so funny! I can't wait to go back in a few weeks for the second session! Read Less

I went in for a memorial tattoo with Ryan who is an amazing artist, but he is very heavy handed and made mistakes like going back over areas he had begun at hours later. Less than 24 hrs after getting the tattoo i was in the er because my arm had swelled so much and it felt like someone was holding a branding iron to my skin. After i was able to get that under control and it healed i was left with a crap looking tattoo and severe scarring. I put a review up on Facebook just recently on their site and the owner I'm assuming of Dark Star came back basically saying it was all my fault and trying to Badger me out of my review I stopped replying because my review is my experience with that artist, he didn't like my review but it's the truth and we all know the truth hurts.  I've seen three other artists and every single one has said the same thing that he overworked my skin and it kind of makes me mad that the management doesn't just realize that instead of adding insult to injury by attacking somebody who has a valid review. they should just look at it as okay well maybe we should do better. I'm left scarred for my the rest of my life now and I have to wait another 8 months just to see if I can even get it fixed because my scarring is so bad that no artist wants to touch it. Read Less

I got a tattoo with Ryan and yes he is very gifted, but the work he did for me left me severely scarred. I've seen 3 separate tattoo artists since then to get their opinion on my scarring and they have all said that it looks like he over worked my skin. I just hope one day I can get my arm fixed for now I'm hiding my arm because I'm soo embarrassed and ashamed. Its been 8 months since I got this tattoo and I still have itching and pain with lumpy scarring and redness. Word to the wise just watch his "heavy hand" and if you scar easy don't go with him. He is a talented artist and I didn't want to write this review but considering my scar level I think its unfair no to mention it to others. I did see Ryan shortly after the tattoo process and he said some times its just "sh*tty luck" Read Less

I went in and talked with Erik and he was helpful and got me in really quick and he did an amazing job took his time and very plight and very clean. Also had a good sense of humor definitely will be going back :) Read Less

If I had known about Erik when I first starting getting tattoos, he would've done all of mine. He has so far fixed one of mine, did a coverup for my sister and then just did a thigh tattoo for me and I can't express enough his amazing talent. His work is beautiful and he's a wonderful artist (has amazingly cool art in his work area). I think I found my permanent tattoo artist....sooooo Erik, keep it up!! � Read Less

Well folks it's like this. There are a lot of great tattoo artist around. Lots of good shops. But not only is the shop full of just good people working there with crazy good skills. Ol Ryan of dark star will have my business for life or till I'm out of blank skin. Anyone who ask I tell them go see the folks at dark star. Preferably ryan if they get a chance. Great job keep it up. Ps it's clean as it can get. safety is top notch also. Read Less

Ryan did an amazing job! My tattoos were simple but they were my first so I was super nervous especially going in with a needle phobia, but Ryan kept the experience fun and enjoyable! And when I did feel a little faint he was kind enough to get a fan and a wet cloth for my head that's customer service right there! Originally I had only been scheduled for one tattoo but since they were so simple he even did the second one. Thank you Ryan for making my first time experience perfect! I will definitely be back for more! Read Less

I had been wanting a memorial tattoo for a beloved Malamute that passed away for awhile.  I lived in Portland at the time, and it was so hard to get into the really good artists, that I gave up.  Then, we moved to Salem. I decided after two years to try to get the tattoo again. I decided to look in the Salem area, but didn't think I would find someone as good as the best PDX artists.  Then, my partner came across Dark Star's portfolio and we were really impressed. It was hard to pick between Ryan, Tim and Eric, as they all seemed excellent.  But, Tim seemed to be strongest in realism and black and white, and that's what I wanted, so I went with him. I'm so happy that I went with Dark Star and Tim.  Incredible work.  It could not have turned out any better. His ability to create accurate dimension in a realism piece is a rare gift.  He also has a light touch, so the pain wasn't as bad as I expected.  The shop and Tim are also very obsessive about keeping everything clean and sanitary.  Also, it seems the artists all like each other, so the atmosphere is fun and comfortable. And the prices are also more than reasonable. My only hesitation in writing this is that I am going to want more work from Tim and I don't want him to get so booked that it takes months to see him. :-) Read Less

As good as the best places in Portland. Check each artists' portfolio to see who is the strongest in the type of tattoo you want. I wanted realism, and therefore chose Tim. I couldn't be happier with the result. Incredible work. Read Less

I have gone to see Erik many times and I have always been impressed. Although I feel that sometimes the tattoo takes a while, I believe it is more because of I'm a baby about pain and he strives to make excellent tattoos. Regardless, when he is done and I see what he has created, I am always humbled and ecstatic to walk away with such beautiful artwork. Read Less

I'm very picky about the types of tattoos that I put on my body. Usually, my tattoos have some type of personal significance and I agonize over them for a long time before I actually get tattooed on my body.My idea for the Joker came from a old t-shirt I had in the late 80s early 90s; I wore that t-shirt so much that it was a shell of its self when I finally out grew it. I never really out grew the image though. It took me two years after my last tattoo to finally feel ready to get the Joker. After some timely advice and lots of searching I found my placement and my artist. I was lucky enough to reconnect with an old friend of mine Erik who I was happy to learn had been tattooing at Dark Star for the last six years! When I went to meet with Erik I was impressed with how clean and professional Dark Star was; lots of open space with semi private stations for each artist. The unassuming exterior hides a very modern, relaxing tattoo shop that tugs on my pop culture heart strings. Dealing with Erik was one of the easiest parts of getting the Joker tattoo. Erik was friendly and confident that he could give me the tattoo I wanted at a fair price. I gave Erik the Joker image, we discussed the placement, and scheduled my appointment. Erik was very accommodating to my schedule he was willing to work weekends and evenings to finish my tattoo. The end result is nothing short of amazing. Erik took his time to make sure he had every aspect of the Joker tattoo spot on. The detail in the face, hair, playing card, pistol, and even the HA HAs come together to create a colorful, scary, and perfect rendition of the original image I came to Erik with. Erik has always been an artist for as long as I've known him but the Joker tattoo he did for me surpassed any expatiation I had. If you want a bad ass tattoo by a experienced, creative, detail oriented artist then go make your appointment with Erik at Dark Star; you won't be disappointed. Read Less

I've been having Ryan work on a full sleeve for me & I love it so much. He's definatly an artist that takes a lot of pride in his work & wants his work to be representive of him as well as his client. I went in with a whole drawing I had been working on & my arm does, but at the same time doesn't look anything like what I drew. I have really feminin art, where as Ryan has a dark industrial style. He took my drawing & he didn't compromise his style, while still giving me what I wanted. It is truly a collaboration of his taste & mine & I really appreciate that, because I love it. He is so talented & he works really hard. Not only is he a great tattoo artist, but he also is a great conversationalist. I will continue to work with Ryan for a long time, he is very professional & I love what he has done for me! Read Less

Several weeks ago I went in to get a somewhat basic piece down by Nate. I gave him exactly what I was wanting and told him I didn’t want it to be very big since it was going to be on the back of my neck. He seemed pretty chill and like he understood what I wanted and said it would be easy to do and take about an hour. However, the day I went in for my appointment it was a very different story. After he finished smoking his cigarette we went inside and he showed me the outline. It was really big and I told him I didn’t want it that big. He said because of the detail it needed to be. Since I have several tattoos and one of them being the Sublime 40oz to freedom sun which is way more detailed (and smaller than what he was trying to push) I knew that wasn’t true. He said he can make it a little smaller but it wouldn’t look good. That’s not what I wanted to hear and so I told him that if he doesn’t think he can do it I can go to a different artist. Then he said that he was the only one in town who would be able to do this. I try to get my pieces by different artists and knew he is a fan of Tool which is what my piece is of so that’s why I went to him. After he made the stencil a bit smaller we went back to his area where he took a good 30 minutes to set up. After two hours my neck was becoming sore and I was anxious to get it finished. I asked him how much longer and he kind of laughed and said he wasn’t even half way done and he would do a little more but then I would need to come back for another session. I was annoyed with that but didn’t want him to mess it up so I continued to sit still and let him work for another hour and a half. When he was finally done I looked at it and was shocked how big it was and even made a comment which he didn’t respond to. Once he cleaned me up I asked him when I can get it finished and he told me to wait a week and see. I didn’t say much and was clearly unhappy when I left. After a week I contacted him and made an appointment to get it finished. I showed up a few minutes early and again he was outside smoking so I told him I would wait inside. After he got done smoking we went to his station where he took about 20 minutes to set up again. We didn’t talk much and it took him about an hour and a half and then was done. Towards the end two girls came over to talk to him. After I stood up I turned around and told him I wanted to let him know that this was my worst tattoo experience and he needs to be aware of how he acted. I told him I didn’t like how he said he can make it any size I want but then made it bigger like he wanted, it was not at all like the picture he was using as a reference, and that he shouldn’t have stretched it out into two sessions. I said I wasn’t trying to be bitchy but he needs to be careful because if he is tattooing someone for their first time they may not want to get another tattoo. He didn’t say a single word and just stood there with a confused almost mad look on his face. One of the girls tried to get involved and back him up but I told her sorry but I am not discussing this with you. Feeling like talking was go nowhere I told him thank you for finishing it and put my hand out to shake and he just shook his head no. I waited a sec and then said ok well peace out and left. I am still not thrilled about the final project but as time goes by it should lighten up and not be as bad but knowing its nothing like I wanted is a horrible feeling. For the first time I have a tattoo, which is pretty noticeable, that I’m not stoked about. I do not recommend him to anyone I know and want to caution anyone who considers going to him or any other artist in general. If they seem difficult or pushy don’t let them touch you.Read Less

A little over a year ago my friend and I came here to get wrist tattoos done.  It was my friends first tattoo and my sixth.  My friend's artist was Ryan and he did a great job on her wrist.  I had Nate do my tattoo and I will never do that again.  Both of the tattoos that we had done were each just one word.  My friends was in Greek and it looks great.  The lines are crisp and defined.  My tattoo is in Hebrew and looks like a beginning artist did it.  It almost looks blurry and the lines aren't even filled in all the way.  That is after I went back for a touch-up.  When I went in Nate acted like he was in a race to get it done and sent me on my way.  Now I need to find an artist to fix his mistakes and make it look good. The shop is a clean place and the artists open everything and poor the ink in front of you.  I have no complaints against the shop itself, just with Nate. Read Less

I got my first (ok, so far only) tattoo here from Randy and I can't wait to go back. Randy came highly recommended and I loved him as soon as I met him. A real goof ball, the kind of guy you'd love to bar hop from dive to dive with, drinking whiskey and singing neal diamond karaoke. When it came to getting down to work he was all business. He worked with me to find out exactly what I wanted. His motto seems to be "I can do it better" and he can. The piece he did on my side looks like it was photocopied onto my skin. I've gotten a lot of compliments on my tattoo and I'm over the moon with it. I hope to get round two soon. Read Less

My grandma who is pushing 70 and I go to Karissa and we absolutely love her to pieces! I got a purple daisy on my front ankle and I love it to where I'm having only her touch me with ink any more. I have another tat that I need worked on and I will only go to her from now on, I'm so happy I finally found a tattoo artist I'm happy with 7 tattoos later! She even fixed up a tatoo I had got from Erin who kept pushing my touch up appt back like 4 times I was so irritated. She is AWSOME! I tell everyone and anyone to go to her!! Read Less

I have been into dark star MANY times. Every time i have been into the studio there was always someone there to answer my questions and get things taken care of.. i Got my tattoo done my Karissa. She did an absolutely amazing job. I got a band around my ankle with a hibiscus on my ankle bone. the band that she had drawn up and made a stencil of was a little to short so she had to hand draw the rest of it on. when someone can free had the rest of your tattoo on your body and when it is all done it looks completely seamless its amazing!!!!!... i will go to dark star and only dark star!! Read Less

Several months ago a friend of mine had some work done at Dark Star by an artist named Nate. After seeing her tattoo and how great it really was I decided I'd go in for a consultation. I met with Nate (he's adorable and talented I might add), looked through his books, and sat down and explained what I was looking for. I made an appointment and came back in for it several weeks later.  Nate quoted me a price, 150.00 for a fairly large shoulder piece, quite colorful, and after I paid, he did my work. He is exceptionally gifted, the shop is VERY clean, equipment and atmosphere was also VERY clean, and I was very much at ease there. Nate and I chatted through his work and the time passed VERY quickly. Two hours later, I had a beautiful piece. I will use Nate again and would recommend him to anyone looking for a trustworthy, decent, talented artist. Mad props. To schedule an appointment, 40.00 is required down now at all times I was told. NO CARDS, cash only- don't forget to bring it with you. Read Less

I went in to get a tattoo and will never go back. The girl who operates the business, Erica I think her name is, was completely rude to me for no reason at all. I would get a tattoo there if she didn't work there, but she kind of gives the whole place a bad reputation. I would advise going in there on her days off. Read Less

This place is great, I definitely recommend Ryan- he perfectly handled both tattoos I got from him (pics) and he never rushed a consultation. For both tattoos I brought my own ideas in and he sketched things around, made them my own, made some great suggestions and handled everything with care- and he was willing to do white ink on me, score!plus he was hot, high five! Read Less

I have had 2 tattoos done by Karissa. The first was October of 2005, on my birthday. It is a butterfly, containing multiple colors, and none of them have faded. I also had a faerie with tribal done on my lower back about a year later... Karissa did WONDERFUL. All of the original coloring in both of them look great. When it was due for a touch up (I'd gotten a spider bite in the tat that smeared one of the lines earlier), Karissa was out of the shop with back problems. They asked me to leave my name and number, so I did. As soon as she was back in, she not only called me to set up a touch-up, but came in on one of her days off to do it! Even though it only took no more than 5 minutes, that is something I won't forget, and why I send everyone that asks about my tattoos to Dark star. I've had others done at other places, but this is by far the best I've been to! Read Less

JUST THOUGH EVERYONE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW SCARRED UP MY SLEEVE WAS AFTER RYAN FINISHED MY TAT... HAVE SEVERAL PIECES DON ALREADY BY OTHER ARTISTS SO I DONT MIND THE WORK BEING DONE BUT RYAN WAS VERY HEAVY HANDED AND MY INK IS LIFTED PRETTY BAD TAKE IT EASY MAN... ART WAS DECENT HE WAS TO BUSY FLIRTING I THINK.. JASON RILEY Read Less

I have followed Randy Devoursney from shop to shop for my tattoos for YEARS and he has finally settled in at one of the cleanest, most professional tattoo shops I have been in. The Staff at Darkstar in Salem, Or. are friendly and courteous, whether you are a first time visitor or a long time customer. The prices are fair and comparable to other artists with the same HIGH standards and quality. You get what you pay for, and I have NEVER been disappointed with the work. I ALWAYS send friends to Darkstar - specifically to Randy. Read Less

I got a tattoo there a while back, September of '06 for my birthday. I got a tattoo on the inside of my wrist and Ryan? Randy? One of the two, cant remember, its the younger one, he did an AWSOME job. I was a little on the sketchy side, all my other tattoo's were done by my broter who owns his own shop but my sister knew of DarkStar and was getting a tat there aswell, here now over a year later the tat STILL looks good with like no fading or any other problem. Everything was clean and neat, and everyone there was friendly! I totaly recomand this place for people who want tattoos!!! Read Less

Hmm, my TATTOO shop is named Dark Star too in Vancouver, WA as of about 10 yrs ago, and not far enough away from Salem to have 2 Dark Stars. I know Its a free country but seriously...... WTF!! You should know what I mean, industry& common courtesy . Read Less

After being told to buy my jewelry from the mall, I got my piercing done there. I went back when my piercing got infected and they told me it was fine. I went to another studio in town. They told me the jewelry they used on me wasn't meant for fresh piercings. They told me how to take care of it and told me to check the Association of Professional Piercers website for more info. Now that I have read up, I wil NEVER go back there. They were wrong about alot of things. Be careful. Read Less

I had my tat done by Brett, aka Minnesota Tat. He did a FANTASTIC job, great price, didn't take him too long, and the tat is EXACTLY what I had pictured in my mind and explained to him. I recommend this place to ANYONE looking to get a tat. Go see Minnesota Tat when you are ready! Read Less