Alex Damgaard

I have always aspired to own my own shop since I entered the industry. The idea of designing a space that aligns with my personal values and vibe has always been appealing to me. In many places, tattoos are associated with a tough and uncertain environment for both artists and clients. I wanted to challenge those stereotypes and demonstrate that a tattoo studio can be a warm, welcoming space, focused on excellent customer service, and a place where artists truly enjoy coming to work.

I specialize in black and grey realism, and I love creating realistic imagery on the skin. Even after 11 years in the field, I still find it incredibly satisfying to bring “living images” to life through tattooing. Additionally, I enjoy working on larger, theme-based projects that span over several days.

I’ve designed Ink Oasis to be a bright, inviting space with calming music and plenty of artwork on the walls. I place a strong emphasis on delivering exceptional customer service and high-quality work.

The industry comes with its share of challenges. As a tattoo artist, it can be a lot of pressure to consistently deliver, especially when business is thriving, and you’re booked with largescale projects every day. It requires a strong work ethic and long hours, both in designing and tattooing.

Personally, I’m very focused when I work, which makes balancing social interactions while concentrating on my craft one of my weaknesses. Running a shop is still relatively new to me. I opened Ink Oasis with a tenant a year ago, and since then, we’ve moved into a larger space, now employing 8 full-time tattoo artists.

The most challenging aspect of being a shop owner is managing time effectively. With apprentices to train, clients to tattoo, designs to create, and the overall management of the shop, it’s essential to also make time for improvements, meetings, and social events with the team.