By Denny Patterson

Indelible Art and Tattoo, owned by husbands Richard and Antonio, is a premier tattoo studio and local art gallery that opened its doors on September 1, 2020 at 2416 Wilton Drive, next to Sidelines Sports Bar and across the street from Rosie’s. Offering free personal consultations and all styles of custom, high quality, innovative tattoos, Antonio has more than 20 years of experience with focus on the highest standards of professionalism, health, and safety in a relaxed environment. Originally from the east coast of Italy, Antonio is accomplished in several styles including American traditional, Japanese style, artisanal fonts, tribal, and realistic portraits. Additionally, the shop has an art gallery that will feature local artists from Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Oakland Park, and all of Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. Customers can currently see the work of award-winning nature and travel photographer Carlos Lopez. Self-taught and based in Fort Lauderdale, he strives to capture the beauty found in everyday local life and nature. Richard handles the business side of Indelible Art and Tattoo, and he was able to take a few minutes to chat with OutClique.

Denny Patterson: Hi, Richard! Thank you for taking some time to chat with me about Indelible Art and Tattoo. Can you begin by telling us how it started?
Richard Meyerson: I have been with my husband for a few years, and he is a very accomplished tattoo artist from Italy. He was doing it in Europe as more of a hobby. Since he has gotten here, we sort of toyed with the idea of opening his own shop. He is that good. He has worked in a couple different studios that just weren’t a fit for the type of artistry and talent that he has. They were looking for somebody to sit there and watch the door for walk-ins. So, prior to COVID, we played with the idea and the timing just wasn’t right, but now, thanks to COVID, things kind of changed a little bit and we started to see a few places and locations open up that we never dreamed that we would be able to afford. Since we are in the middle of a pandemic, are we crazy to do this? Around the beginning of July, people started to feel a little bit safer to go out, so we felt good enough, and the benefits outweigh the risks. We were willing to take the chance. It was a modest investment to get started, that is if we had to walk away from it, we could.

DP: The shop also includes an art gallery?
RM: Yes. We have this space that was like 600 square feet with wide open space and high ceilings. I said, “We have to do something in here.” It was too big of a space to just have Antonio in. So, the art gallery was born. I have a few local friends that are very accomplished artists that do it more as a hobby than selling their work for a living. One photographer in particular, Carlos Lopez, I have been a fan of his work, and I just approached him asking if we could showcase him and his work.

DP: Do you plan to showcase other artists’ work?
RM: For now, it is just Carlos. When you walk in the shop, there’s the wall on the right and the wall on the left. Right now, he has both walls. I think for at least the first six months, or at least through mid-next year, we are just going to keep it that way and see if I can get people to connect with what I see in his work. Eventually, we will keep him as a permanent resident on the right hand wall and bring in other local artists at some point in the future.

DP: How did you and Antonio meet?
RM: We met at a New Year’s Day pool party through mutual friends about four years ago. I’m 63, he’s 43, and it just felt right. Over time throughout that year, he came back and visited a bunch of times, and I went to visit him. It was just a good fit. Timing is everything in life.

DP: Has Antonio always had a passion for tattoo artistry?
RM: Yes. He has been doing it for over 20 years. He was living in the eastern part of Italy, that is where his family is. He had his own apartment, and he worked in a car factory for his main job, and then he would come home and have tattoos scheduled from the time he got off his shift. He was doing it every day.

DP: How do you prepare for a tattoo session?
RM: Well, the type of tattoo artist he is, it is very unusual for somebody to just walk in and say this is what I want. Basically, Antonio meets with them two or three times, and they give him ideas. Antonio is an artist first and foremost, so he will execute it. After he gets the customer’s approval, they go back and forth, and it is usually at least three meetings where they actually sit down and do it. Just make sure to hydrate yourself and come rested. Obviously, we are being COVID aware and compliant. Wear masks, he wears gloves, and we take people’s temperature. People feel safe, they have done their homework, and they know the proper precautions.

DP: That was going to be my next question. What other COVID safety measures are you implementing?
RM: It’s just basic cleanliness. There’s no magic. As I am sure you have seen when going out, people are trying to be compliant, but their mask is halfway down their face, so it really just comes down to making sure we are doing what we are supposed to be doing. That is the best way to minimize the possibility. Also, it is usually just Antonio and the customer. It’s not like there are a ton of people around each other. Somebody can walk in during the day if he’s doing a tattoo, but that does not happen often.

DP: How does Indelible Art and Tattoo stand out, and why should one patronize your business?
RM: Hm, that is a good question. I think we stand out, as far as the tattoo shop goes, because of his artistry. There is a lot of competition, and another tattoo shop just opened up on The Drive. My career was basically selling real estate in San Francisco for 25 years, and in some ways, it is the same type of concept as far as how to stand out. Realtors are a dime a dozen, but if you are good at what you do and people trust you, then it becomes that word of mouth referral thing. You can market all you want, which you still have to, but it comes down to the marketing is not enough. There must be referrals and word of mouth. People are pleased with Antonio, and then they tell their friends. I think he stands out because of his artistry and personality. He is very charming, and a hard worker.

DP: Before we wrap up, what are some goals and accomplishments you would like the business to achieve within the next year?
RM: Well, survive [laughs]. I think my main goal for my side of it is just to be able to get the word out and get people to see Carlos’s photography. I have told a few friends; I know I do not know anything about opening an art gallery. It is not something I have ever thought about, but I do know I can sell what I believe in. I believe in what Carlos does. So, that is my personal goal. To be able to connect his work with people. It is a very limited group of people that I know, so for me, it is a matter of being able to reach out to the community. As far as Antonio, is it just staying on course and doing what he is doing.