Nomad Tattoo

Blew out the outline of my tattoo and lines arent great in places. It is unfortunate because I heard great things about this place and this was the most important tattoo I have on my body. I know that sometimes the ink doesnt take in places but there is no reason to have blown the outline.UPDATE 8/20/24I have seen the reviews about the change in ownership and how it went down and I cannot attest to that. What I do know is that the botched tattoo you see above was done by Sam in October of 2023. Botched is really an understatement. Sam has done some amazing work in the past, but this was not my experience along with many others. I also know that Kurtis has been nothing but helpful and professional in trying to fix something that was not his fault in the first place. Kurtis did a tattoo for me shortly after I got the one posted and he did a great job on it. The quality between the two different artists was astronomical. Kurtis has agreed to fix the tattoo that Sam did and I will change my review accordingly after it is done and post pictures of the difference as well. Appointment mid September. I want to add that I live an hour and a half away from Nomad Tattoo and really have no personal ties to the shop itself or the community/anyone living in the area. I am certain the tattoo fix will be great, but I will update.

As I’m sure most of you have now heard, Sam no longer works at Nomad Tattoo. What most of you haven’t heard, however, is this was not of Sam’s own choosing or accord.Sam did not sell the shop to Kurtis Holmberg. He asked him if he’d be willing to take over the shop as owner, as he wanted to spend a bit more time with our family when he could. The deal they made was that Kurtis would own/ run it, and that Sam would always have a place to work there, since that was previously HIS business, and filled with clientele he worked 16+ years to build in Macomb. As soon as Sam finished paying the remainder of the bills he was contracted to pay, Kurtis immediately went into action to push Sam out of the business. On Wednesday when Sam went in for his scheduled appointments, he walked in on Kurtis changing the locks to the shop without any prior notification. He then told Sam that he would no longer have a place to work, and that Kurtis thought he needed to ‘take a break.’ Sam then said he wanted to get his things (which the MAJORITY of items in the shop are his, and things he worked on acquiring over many, many years of owning the business). Needless to say- very little was given back to Sam. The next day, Sam and I saw that Kurtis had gone in on the shop phone (that Sam was still paying for, mind you) and went into Sam’s personal Facebook (without permission) to take Nomad Tattoo off of his employment status. And the very next day, after the employment status was removed, he then posted how Sam is no longer involved with Nomad Tattoo in any capacity.But only after the bills were paid, the locks changed, the police called (by Kurtis) to say that he was no longer allowed on the property and falsely claimed Sam wanted to ‘steal’ from the shop (filled with his personal items from over 7 years that he wanted back, some of which were decor that our children and I made for him), and his work status changed without permission from Sam’s business phone (that he couldn’t access since it was at the shop that Kurtis wouldn’t let him into), but Sam was still paying for.To all of Sam’s clients and friends- please know he loved and cared about every one of you deeply and personally, and ALWAYS made it a point to make everyone feel comfortable, safe, and to laugh a time or two. Thank you to everyone who’s supported him these last 16 years, and understand that he’ll always appreciate you all more than you’ll ever even begin to know.

Sam was Great there were 4 of us family tattoo night! He graciously blocked out an evening for us, most people (families) dont get tattoos together but we do its a way to remember we were all together and have something to show for it. Sams new place is nice, clean large and spacious, in a historic downtown building the old Masonic building in Macomb just off the downtown square Im sure he will have much success!

I’m DEVASTATED to be revising my original review but I feel that people should be able to make educated decisions: Every piece that I’ve gotten done at Nomad has aged TERRIBLY. I got my first ever tattoo here only two years ago. Sam, the owner, was my artist. He seemed incredibly knowledgeable and made me feel so comfortable. He made the process so enjoyable for me, and I thought this guy was going to be my artist forever. See, everyone around town has beautiful art done by Sam, and I was very excited to be getting a piece from him. At first, it looked great — But now, only two years later, the ink has completely blown out, and the words are hardly readable. It’s humiliating. Also, after two years, I am stunned to report that the skin still hasn’t flattened. In speaking to other artists, I learned that both problems are a result of Sam using the wrong cartridge size, and having the wrong depth into my skin, causing both scarring and ink diffusion. Other tattoos done by Sam in the same time span (about two years ago) have also aged terribly. To be clear, I walked out of the shop as happy as a clam, but find that the quality has diminished so quickly that the initial joy of a new tattoo wasn’t even worth it. One of my tattoos has lost ink due to inconsistent needle depth. For the record: I’ve since gotten plenty more tattoos, and find that the healing process is so much easier from other artists. Hoping that I’m the only person who has had a less than stellar experience with my tattoos aging prematurely.

Very lame very uncool very not demure tattoo shop wouldnt let my 4 year old sit on the couch for a 10 minute tattoo

Good luck getting someone to respond to you. Won’t go back.

I had an appointment with Kurtis who was great. Very personable and easy to talk to during my 5 hour tattoo and his art is fabulous. Ill definitely be coming back!

Kurtis was super friendly, and great to work with. This was my first tattoo and he helped calm me down by making jokes, and being reassuring when I was nervous. I will gladly come here again for any future tattoos.

Girlfriend went here and the outline of her tattoos were awful. Very uneven, and not professional. The only color on her tattoo, a red bow, began to peel off very easily. I then took her to my regular artist elsewhere and they fixed it.P.S. dont have an artist who gets nervous if you record during the tattoo.

One of your “professional artists” Kurtis Reed posts inappropriate comments on fellow members of the tattoo communities pages. Not only is this extremely unprofessional, but in a world filled with hate, fellow tattoo artists should not put down anyone, no matter what they look like.

Hands down to Sam this guy is an amazing tattoo artist I highly recommend him !!

Amazing experience! I love my new tat!!! Its been healing super nicely. Friendly staff and great prices :)

I had a fantastic experience with the shop. Very laid back however professional at the same time. Very careful with the proper forms and VERY clean which is important to everyone 🙂. I will be back 🔙

Got my tattoo from Sam. It was my first tattoo. I got a memorial tattoo for my Dad. That tattoo looks excellent and Sam was very professional, very funny, made it a comfortable environment for my first tattoo.i will absolutely be back!

Me and a group of friends came in and got matching tats we were kinda being rowdy and just having fun and he got in on the fun too cracking jokes with us and just having a good time the tattoo looks great and he made my first tattoo experience amazing

I have gotten two tattoos now from Sam at Nomad Tattoo.Very professional, very clean, and awesome artwork. Will be getting a third tattoo from them.

Did a great job. Loved the tattoo. People they were very nice and courteous. Place was clean.

Kurtis did an awesome job on my first tattoo.

New owner is terrible.

They did my friends back tattoo in what felt like 20 minutes. It turned out really good and my friend loves it.

Very friendly staff. Amazing art work and got us in and out fairly quick.

My very first tattoo..a memorial to my daughter 💜

The guys at Nomad know what they’re doing, I have had three piercings and a tattoo done and they’ll be the place I go to in the future!

Good Vibes all around , affordable card or cash . Great time .clean place and friendly .

Sam is very nice and does amazing work

Rude people. Wont do walk-ins. Even with everyone sitting around

Best tattoo shop in the area, hands down!!!

Great people, amazing talent.

Sam was cool ,love my tat

Awesome artist, great experience!

Cool place, good work 🤠

Great shop great work

Sam is good people

Best tattoo place in Macomb

Excellent experience

Good experience