Online Reviews for Local Tattoo Parlor Glow

Jasmyne Spencer is shifting uncomfortably on a hard wooden bench in the waiting room of Curious Tattoo, Inc.

The 20-year-old Biology major is best known for her feats on the soccer field and her All-American honors that could strike fear into the hearts of her competitors.

But here, in the cigarette-scented lobby of a College Park tattoo parlor, Spencer feels fear of her own.

“It’s my first tattoo,” Spencer says in a near whisper, before crossing her legs and flipping out her phone.

Spencer is just one of many University of Maryland students to be serviced by Curious Tattoo since its opening several years ago.

“I did a little research, and they had the best readings. We came in and spoke to them, and they were the most customer-friendly,” Spencer said.

As Jesus, butterflies, and winking naked ladies stare out of picture frames lining the lobby’s walls, a busy-looking artist named Stray appears from a back room to tell Spencer that he’s ready.

She departs with Stray into the back and, before long, the erratic buzzing of a tattoo gun echoes out the door.

A tattoo artist for two decades, Stray began working at Curious Tattoo two years ago under owner Paul Keplinger.

His career began at age 12 when he tattooed a friend — which, he said, got him kicked out of school.

“His mom was pissed, my mom was pissed. I got put back in school, and I’ve been tattooing ever since,” Stray says during a break in tattooing.

Since then, he assures, he undertook various apprenticeships and received his first license 16 years ago, becoming a respected tattoo artist.

“I offer a service that no one can match,” Stray says confidently, perching his ink-covered arms against a glass counter full of piercings and jewelry.

“You can look me up on the Internet.”

Sure enough, Curious Tattoo’s yelp.com page is full of almost entirely positive reviews for Stray and the parlor.

“The guy knows EXACTLY what he's talking about, took me through step by step, and it was over before I knew it,” wrote one reviewer.

“Our artist Stray was genuinely a good human being,” wrote another.

Most tattoos start around $60, according to Stray. This ensures that a kit is set up with clean needles, a clean gun and a completely sterile workstation.

Spencer wouldn’t wind up emerging from the back room until several hours later with, fittingly, a jasmine flower on her side.

His own body covered in a web of tattoos, Stray has advice for customers like Spencer who might be nervous about getting their first tattoo.

“It’s not that bad. You just gotta find your zen to get through it."

Located above Potbelly Sandwich Shop on Route 1, is open from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Appointments are recommended.

This article has been updated. The previous article incorrectly stated the age that Stray received his tattoo license. The story is now correct. We regret the error.