Business Times of Edmond, Oklahoma March 2020 - Page 23

tattoo artist in 2005, traveling around the U.S., gaining
experience, and a wife along the way, and eventually meeting
Randerson, with whom he worked for five years, and now shares
ownership of the downtown Edmond tattoo shop.
“I’m originally from Arizona, myself,” Randerson said. “I got
started early in tattooing at the age of only 15, but I loved it and
eventually, I moved to Edmond and planted my roots here. In
addition to tattooing, I also have spent several years painting,
traveling and building my own handmade tattoo machines.”
Edmond appealed to them both as the ideal area, and one
which isn’t over-saturated with tattoo artists.
“Oklahoma is a great state, and Edmond is a great area to work
and live — we love it,” Ross said. “The market here isn’t super-
saturated the way it is in some places, which isn’t good for the
customers or the (tattoo) artists, so being based here really works
to everyone’s advantage.”
Stylistically, Randerson described his as “American traditional,”
although he said he’s “well-rounded” in all styles of tattooing.
“We have a lot of flash (tattoos samples) on display around
the shop — pre-existing work from the 70s and 80s, which some
people want,” he said. “Despite what both of us are more inclined
towards, whatever a customer would like, we pretty much can do.”
Ross, on the other hand, focuses on traditional Japanese
tattooing and painting — a style which he said translates well to
the human form and can cover large sections of the body — as well
as American cartoons and “large-scale” projects.
Unlike some tattoo shops, Thunderdome does not handle
body piercings.
“Over time, tattooing and piercing have kind of been put
together. That’s kind of a normal thing, but that’s not something
either of us know about, and it’s not something that we’re
into,” Ross said. “So, it didn’t make sense for us to try and sell
something to people that we weren’t interested in ourselves.”
Additionally, neither perform facial tattoos.
Ultimately, both men welcome regulars and prospective clients
for discussions, to understand the process, learn about which
tattoos would help the customer best express themselves, and to
ask whatever questions they may have.
“We both stand by our tattooing and are committed to making
sure our customers get only the best,” Ross said. “Plus, we get to
draw on people for a living. How great is that?”
Thunderdome Tattoo is located at 205 N. Broadway.
Walk-ins are welcome if scheduling allows, but appointments are
highly encouraged. For more information, call 405-669-6888.
March 2020 | The Business Times
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