The city of Bloomfield, NM has just gotten it’s first tattoo studio. Quality Ink, owned by tattoo artists Jason Luster and Leon Alderette opened it’s doors today on April the fourth. These two artists are not only the first to open shop in the conservative city of Bloomfield, but between them they have over 40 years experience.
Needless to say, not every one in Bloomfield was happy to see their first tattoo parlor open for business. Said City Manager Keith Johnson, “I’d rather see them someplace else.” I’m sure he would. Of course that would leave the city wide open for the scratchers to cause all sorts of health problems and put their illegal cash into their own pockets without giving one thing back. Smart thinking there Keith.
Both Jason and Leon have plans to be “a member of the chamber of commerce and hopefully an asset to the community.”
The two owners have tattooed together for a lot of years, and began their joint venture after a chance meeting at First Baptist Church of Flora Vista, where they both are members. According to them the last place they had expected to meet up again was church. They had gone in different directions and had not expected to run into each other again.
According to Luster, “We want to bring quality work to the Four Corners area instead of having people drive to Durango.”
Tattoo artists must be licensed by the state Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists before they can practice in New Mexico. Even if the zoning laws were to change in Bloomfield to prevent other tattoo parlors from opening, Quality Ink is grandfathered in, Bloomfield Planning and Zoning Director Ray Barnes said.
“We hope the residents of Bloomfield welcome us,” Luster said. “Hopefully the community thinks of us as just another art studio.”
We hope so too, Guys. Good Luck, and well wishes to you both.