A shadow lurks in South Jersey. And for two decades he's doled out wonderful ink work to clients around the state and beyond.
NJ.com is visiting each of the five finalists and spending a day at their shops, in search for New Jersey's best tattoo shop. South Vineland's Firehouse tattoo was visited last Monday and Pure Ink Tattoo was visited Tuesday. 12 oz Studios in Brooklawn was visited Thursday. Rorschach Gallery in Edison was visited Friday. A winner will be named Thursday.
WILLIAMSTOWN -- For two decades, an ink veteran has doled out wonderful work in South Jersey, to clients from around the state and beyond.
The veteran tattoo artist, known solely as Shadow, owns Eternal Ink in Williamstown, a shop that over the last 12 years has developed a reputation as one of the Philadelphia suburbs' strongest parlors.
Several younger, up-and-coming artists currently cut their teeth under Shadow's watch, and together, the staff produces sharp black and grey, traditional and illustrative pieces.
Eternal Ink in Williamstown, which is one of the five finalists in the search for N.J.'s best tattoo shop. (Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) While Shadow may seem a little serious at first, he lightens up in conversation and is a talented, receptive artist. And while he does his best not to judge his own work, he appreciates the kinds words he receives from his clients.
"The day I stop getting positive results is the day I stop doing this," he says.
But he doesn't plan on retiring anytime soon, as he revels in the idea inking of long-lasting pieces.
"I like putting something on people that they are going to have for the rest of their lives," he says.
THE ATMOSPHERE
Like most of the other finalists, Eternal Ink resides in a fairly nondescript strip mall, off Main Street. And like South Vineland's Firehouse Tattoo, the shop sits adjacent to a church -- an odd juxtaposition.
Inside the parlor, it's a traditional set-up: a small waiting area with two couches, and a hallway of private stations. A rack of flash art, with custom designs from Shadow and other artists, is hung. The decor is green and cream with wood accents.
The skulls on the sign outside translate to a horror-theme interior, as the door to Shadow's room reads "dungeon" above the numbers 666. Heavy metal music plays while he inks.
But the artists aren't especially brooding. They all get along well and are quick to tease and joke.
"We are a family here," says artist Tim "Pinhed" Sharpley. "We're all versatile artists and we look out for each other.
The entrance to Shadow's studio at Eternal Ink in Williamstown, which is one of the five finalists in the search for N.J.'s best tattoo shop. (Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) THE ARTISTS
Shadow is the shop's senior artist, with 20 years of experience tatting around South Jersey. Also employed are Shaffer, Eric Sharpley, and Stefanee Schofield, who is finishing her apprenticeship. Body piercer Immortal also works in the shop.
The staff at Eternal Ink in Williamstown, which is one of the five finalists in the search for N.J.'s best tattoo shop. (Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) THE STYLES
The shop prides themselves in being able to handle any request the comes through the door, but Shadow is best known for his black and gray work, and his striking pieces can be seen on most of his staff's skin -- he was inking a skull on piercing apprentice Lance Whelan's stomach during the visit. Shadow is booked a few weeks out.
Sharpley specializes in American traditional, and Shaffer and Schofield do it all. Each of the these artists are more readily available, and walk-ins are welcome.
"Whatever someone walks through the door with, we can satisfy," Shadow says.
Artist Tim "Pinhed" Shaffer shows off a leg tattoo done by Shadow at Eternal Ink in Williamstown, which is one of the five finalists in the search for N.J.'s best tattoo shop. (Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) CLEANLINESS
No complaints here. While the shop itself is a little worn, the stations themselves are clean and professional. While Shadow and his staff joke around,they clearly take the procedural side of their craft seriously.
Shadow tattoos piercing apprentice Lance Whelan at Eternal Ink in Williamstown, which is one of the five finalists in the search for N.J.'s best tattoo shop. (Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) THE X-FACTOR
Eternal Ink understands the weight of its name -- the tattoos they produce are on their clients forever. And with that knowledge comes a responsibility, to provide as much information about their profession as possible. Shadow notes that his fiancee, who handles the shop's social media, is constantly answering tattoo and piercing questions after hours.
It's obviously important to the staff that their customers leave happy, and after 20 years, Shadow still leads the way in that passion.
Artist Eric Sharpley inks apprentice Stefanee Schofield at Eternal Ink in Williamstown, which is one of the five finalists in the search for N.J.'s best tattoo shop. (Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier. Find NJ.com on Facebook.