©2018 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Jennifer Farnsworth
After 15 years of working in different shops as a tattoo artist, Joe Wood decided it was time to work for himself.
It has been about a month since Wood opened up Parasol Tattoo Co. in Congress Plaza. He said business is strong.
“I knew I had done everything I could, and I was ready for the change, the challenge. I knew I had my own ideas that I wanted to implement,” said Wood.
He said when thinking about what he wanted the shop to represent, he thought a lot about the atmosphere.
“Sometimes it can be an intimidating experience to walk into a tattoo place. I wanted this to feel disarming. I wanted to take away the edge,” said Wood.
Wood hired two other full-time artists and would like to hire a third by fall. He said his established clientele has followed him to Congress Street, as well as new faces.
“Business has been surprisingly and overwhelmingly good. The reactions from people to the new space have all been very positive. It is a popular spot in the city, it is centrally located, and with other successful businesses around who bring in a lot of foot traffic. So, it’s been good for us,” said Wood.
One thing that Wood wants prospective customers to know is that they will take the time to make sure to create whatever artwork the client is envisioning. He said he will be welcoming some rotating artists from outside the area who will offer customers even more options
“If someone comes in to us looking for something, we will work with them. We have the talent to do that,” said Wood.
He plans to participate in the annual Saratoga Tattoo Expo. Charity events and community involvement will be a big part of the business. He said this falls in line with the meaning behind the name he came up for the shop long before it came to fruition.
“I found the name Parasol three or four years ago in a book of Tibetan symbolism. In Buddhism, the umbrella or parasol is included in the Eight Auspicious Signs and it means protection, wisdom, and compassion. That really resonated with me,” said Wood.
Parasol Tattoo Co. is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The shop is predominantly appointment-only, with some room for walk-ins.
Information can be found online at www.parasoltattoo.com.