New Folsom tattoo shop is home to world famous artist

Recently opened in Historic Folsom in January, Shanghai Tattoo is the new home to world-famous tattoo artist Zhuo Dan Ting. Shanghai Tattoo originated with its first location in 2007 in Shanghai, China, which is still open today. Owners Ting and her husband Joshua Thompson decided to expand their shop and after looking in places such as Australia; Germany; Portland, Oregon; Thompson said it made sense to open their business where he was born and raised - Sacramento. "We originally looked around downtown Sacramento, but it was a little oversaturated with tattoo shops already, and we didn't want to add more," he said. "Some of my family lives out in Folsom, so we looked around here. I checked out Sutter Street was was like, 'Holy crap! Where has this been and why have I never been down here?' Ting and I fell in love instantly with the charm of Historic Folsom." In addition to the charm, Thompson said he also likes Folsom for its safeness and family community. "When we're not working, we're on the hiking trails or riding bikes. Monday is our day off, so that's what we usually do," he said. Thompson said since opening, they already have established great customers who have turned into their good friends. "We really love it," He said. "I couldn't imagine opening up a shop anywhere else other than Folsom." Inside the local tattoo shop is a relaxed atmosphere. "We try to keep a family vibe, a chill vive going on," Thompson said. "We listen to heavy metal most days. You want people to be a comfort zone, but at the same time, they're getting a tattoo and sometimes you don't want to be completely comfortable. Our Shanghai shop is always playing heavy metal. The music drives them through the pain. Their ears are hurting, and then their body parts are hurting as well," he laughed. When asked what his favorite thing so far was, Thompson said building up the team as well as their customers. Ting specializes in black and white photorealism and does a lot of great portrait work, Thompson said. "Portrait artists are hard to find," he said. "She also specializes in Asian traditional, watercolors, and hand-brushed Chinese calligraphy, which isn't really available anywhere. It's translated correctly and all hand-done - no computer fonts. Ting tackles a lot of different styles of tattooing." What you need to know:Shanghai Tattoo718 Sutter Street, Suite 208916-370-9658Shanghaitattoo916.com See other great stories like this in the Folsom Lake Entertainer which can be delivered to your door with a subscription to the Folsom Telegraph or found in nearly 300 rack locations.View our E-Edition of this monthly magazine by clicking HERE.