Thinking about getting a tattoo? If so, then consider Stay True Tattoo in downtown Johnson City. Stay True is a modern parlor in a historic area.

Recently opened in February 2009, the shop brings a splash of vibrancy to the brick walls of years past, in downtown Johnson City. Shop owner Travis Wasko, originally from Bristol, got his start apprenticing for his brother in Florida.

“I moved to Tallahassee and began my apprenticeship in 2002, and I moved back to bring some of this culture to the area,” said Wasko. “I wanted to put a shop in this area that would push limits, educate the public and bring absolute upper quality tattooing to the region.”

The parlor is run by four guys; Tim Hurscroft, Ryan Fink, Jason Johnson “Oi” and Travis Wasko.

Derick Morton is gallery director and Patrick Magee is currently working as an apprentice. The group began working together after Wasko and Morton were introduced through the Bristol music scene, they met Oi and Fink and realized they had like-minded goals to bring quality tattooing to this area.

“We all wanted to bring a new perspective to the public and into the public eye,” Wasko said. “Johnson City is full of rich history and a majority of the population is older, they view tattooing, art and graffiti as a sort of hoodlum thing. We wanted to open the minds of people outside our 18 to 35 demographic.”

Their Web site and business cards read, “Tattoos for the Connoisseur.” When asked about the phrase, Wasko said, “We do tattoos for collectors the connoisseur, for those who love art and want the very best. My personal mantra is, ‘good tattoos on good people for a good price.'”

Wasko explained how it’s the tattooer’s responsibility to take the idea of the patron, even if it’s a poor idea, and make sure it turns into something that person can wear forever.

“Stay True Tattoo has a good reputation around here and I’ve heard nothing but good things about their work,” said grad student Serena Scalf. “My friend Kate Pierce and I are considering getting matching tattoos there. The body art show was organized for First Friday of this month which was Nov. 6. I was painted by Daniel Lasris and Aline Backes of Abingdon. It took about six hours. The body art show was organized and held in Stay True Tattoo.”

Wasko emphasized wanting to create Stay True into a community parlor, a place where kids of the area can go and have something cool to do. On First Friday they have bands out front and food inside the gallery. Their grand opening was held on February’s First Friday.

They are working on creating framing, matting and screen-printing on the second floor and are currently displaying the ETSU art department’s Mira Gerard and Wayne Dyer’s artworks. Gallery director Derick Morton is a graduate of ETSU’s art department and holds a B.F.A. with aconcentration in drawing. Wasko wants to eventually display ETSU art students work around their galleries and become more involved in the art scene of Johnson City.

Each tattooer has their own well-rounded style. Fink focuses on traditional Americana and Japanese while Hurscoft has a more distinct style and excels in realism and portraits. Wasko can do a mixture of pieces, from full-scale back to body suits with nouveau realism.

The shop minimum is $50, prices vary depending on size and amount of time. Various sittings can be scheduled but walk ins are also welcome. The hours of operation are Monday-Saturday 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., only open Sundays to a non-instructional figure drawing class from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The course is free but Stay True asks that the models be tipped at your discretion.

Stay True Tattoo is located at 404 S. Roan St. For more information, call (423) 979-0100 or visit http://staytruetattoos.com/home.html

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