A tattoo is forever, Black Widow manager Jav Li points out, so shouldn't its appeal be eternal, too? Black Widow Tattoo opened in 2012 as a by-appointment-only boutique at the western end of Toronto’s Queen St. W. Then, after two years of relentless demand, it opened its doors to the public so passersby could get a first-hand look at its artistry, workmanship and immaculately clean, comfortable facilities.
“The quality of our work speaks for itself,” Jav says. “Nobody in Toronto does what we do. A lot of other shops do traditional colour work, but our specialty is black and grey realism.” This specialty, which has lured several famous musicians, film directors, artists and pro athletes, starts with the world-class tattoo artists who work out of Black Widow. There’s Chino, the shop’s owner, who goes by one name and is renowned for his stunning portraiture and intricate, interwoven designs. Roumen Kirinkov, meanwhile, is a master of hyper-realism, with themes extending from religious iconography to zoology. Then there’s Mason James, whose more colourful, stylized creations run the gamut from floral to fierce to food.
“We have an incredible talent pool,” Jav says. “We have so many great minds working under one roof, where they can share and learn from each other. That's how you grow as an artist. It's healthy competition — there are no big egos at this shop.”
