Today we’d like to introduce you to Dutch Dalton.
Hi Dutch, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well , going back to the beginning. I have always been interested in art. I was an only child , drawing is the way I amused myself away from sports .
I started my apprenticeship January 10 1998. Then I had to work a job and do an apprenticeship. It was tough, long hours , dedication, and determination. I started on lower greenville ave , when there were only three shops in the area . We had a super busy shop , doing mostly flash tattoos . I also did the piercings for the whole shop . I got the experience of a very fast paced high volume shop .
Then I helped open a shop across from Snuffers and Grenada theater. I was there tattooing and piercing for six years .
Then I opened my own shop Infinity 13 Studios . The first Infinity was at skillman and 635 . The shop was upstairs on the corner . After two years of having that shop , I opened a shop in Denton, over by the University of North Texas. A few years later , I moved the Dallas shop to Northwest highway and Jupiter . I had that tattoo shop at that location for ten years . The only reason we moved that shop was because the owners sold the building . So we moved the tattoo shop to Mckinney, Texas. This is a much busier location , facing North Central Expressway.
I love the tattoo industry . The way the industry has changed and evolved. But there also some downsides, like covid quarantine. Where anyone could buy tattoo equipment online and then a few years later open a shop with no formal training .
In my career , I work in all styles of tattooing. I especially love cover up tattoos. I also enjoy doing big color work , and black and grey horror portraits . I really like taking the idea out of someone’s head and developing a design especially for the client . It is something special . Or doing scar cover up or masking to make the client feel better about themselves. The connection with the people is remarkable. Now I tattoo some three generations of families . I remember when the grandkids were in diapers ,and now they are of age and getting tattooed themselves.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some of my struggles have been starting new shops and the slow periods. Until the clientele found us again or we made new ones along the way . This industry has ups and downs , different seasons , busy times and slow times . It happens every year . Tattoos are luxury items , during a recession, people slow down getting body art . But it always comes back around.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I still consider myself an old school tattoo artist . I put in a lot of time into street shops and high volume tattooing . But when I had a chance to open a custom tattoo shop , that forced me to draw a complete custom design for each client . That is an honor to tattoo on someone . That person is trusting you with their idea .
I specialize in cover up tattoos , it is possible to change someone’s life by a tattoo . To get rid of an exes name , a bad tattoo experience, or just a mistake .
I think my customer service sets me apart from other artists . When my clients come back to see me I remember conversations we had or events that happened. When you ask them about their mother or significant other that we had conversations about . That really makes them feel at home and comfortable.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’m big and scary looking , but I’m really a nice guy . I try and make things fun . Tattoos and piercings hurt , so I try to make the experience fun . I make jokes and sometimes dance , anything to make the client feel comfortable.
Pricing:
- Tattoo minimum is $100
- Piercings start at $50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Infinity13tattoos.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dutchdalton
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dutch.dalton.3
