Diving Swallow Tattoo

It’s been 4 days and my tattoo is healing nicely! First I initially requested for Cedre to do my work, but she referred me to Rocio, in which she thought was the best artist to do my tattoo. Great decision made! It’s great to know that they know their artists well to match up which client to whom.
Had my consultation about a month ago, mind you, I was fine taking the time for my tattoo to be well drawn and thought of… I knew what I wanted, took pictures from Pinterest and made a collage for Rocio to see. She’s very particular on placement and shapes and sizes and what fits and doesn’t fit. I like how she positioned everything and made it look balanced and not sloppy. Her lines are clean. She’s an awesome artists and I totally respect her work! Also, she’s great on replying back and giving feedback. I liked how she let me make my own decisions since it’s my tattoo and only gave me ideas to enhance it!!!
The shop is clean and all supplies cleaned and sterilized. The ambience and the music is cool. I’m scared this is 1 of many more I’ll be getting in the future :) thanks Rocio!

Love this shop! Working on a nice floral piece with Cedar and I couldn’t be happier. All the artist here seem very talented and the place just has a great vibe.

Rocio did an awesome little tattoo for me recently. Her prices are really fair and her approach was laid back and low pressure. My tattoo is just what I was looking for; bright, solid colors and a clean outline. When I was hating the pain she gave me delicious suckers and talked me through it. I would definitely go back to her.

Thanks so much to the owners of this shop for reaching out to me! That’s what you call great customer service… Can’t wait to get some amazing work done soon :)

Hands down the best tattoo experience I’ve ever had! Cedre’s calm and confident manner put me at ease; she didn’t rush me through anything and answered all questions patiently. I got to play my choice of music and was really relaxed and comfortable throughout the 2+ hours of tattooing. She came up with a beautiful design that incorporated most of the ideas and images I showed her initially, giving it a slightly unique twist. I also got a botanical/​floral tattoo which seems to be one of her areas of expertise though I would go back to see her for any design.

I love my tattoo. A good friend recommended Diving Swallow because I wanted a feminine, floral tattoo that was artistic and tasteful. Cedre was the perfect fit for my Queen Anne’s Lace flower. She worked with me until we got it just right. The important part is that she made me feel it was okay to make changes and didn’t get irritated. I really appreciated this because it’s not a haircut, a tattoo is forever! The only drawback, which is not important in the scheme of getting a tattoo, was there was a very detailed contract with client and artist expectations, but the deadlines outlined were not met so I found myself a bit confused along the way. But, as I say, the important part is the final product and it is outstanding. I highly recommend.

If you’re looking for art in the form of tattoo, Diving Swallow is the first place you should look. I just had my second tattoo from Cedre and I’m not sure a review will express how happy I will be for the rest of my life with her art. However, every artist in the shop is welcoming and extremely talented. Besides the amazing tattoo work, the shop has a very calming and creative atmosphere where you don’t have to be afraid of asking silly questions or expressing errant concerns. Cedre’s ability to extrapolate from your initial ideas and create an amazing vision is breathtaking. You don’t need me to tell you how beautiful the people, the art, and the shop is. Go find out for yourself.

I was looking for a feminine floral half sleeve and the second I saw Cedre’s website I knew she was the perfect person to translate what I was picturing in my head to my skin. Actually the end result is even more beautiful than I had dreamt. Cedre designed my tattoo based on some victorian botanical drawings and managed to both duplicate the flowers I loved and to create someone completely unique.
Diving Swallow is more serene and bright than any shop I’ve been to and Cedre was so fun to talk with I almost forgot I was getting poked with needles.
In short if you are looking for something exceptional go to Diving Swallow, you won’t regret it.

I wanted to get an abstract tattoo, modeled straight from a Monet painting. I knew this would be tricky and the Diving Swallow was recommended to me by a friend. I checked out their work and was really impressed. Finally I emailed Cedre, and she was great! Great response time, really willing to work with what I had in mind, and just a joy to work with. Cedre was especially great since I got my tattoo on my ribs and that became an ordeal in itself. I was also able to schedule both my sessions within a few months which really worked for my schedule! I would definitely recommend this parlor, although they are kind of pricey you are paying for quality.

Could not speak highly enough of Rocio! Came in for a consultation about a month ago for my grad gift to myself, and was impressed by how she was able to really personalize my tattoo for me. There are no walk-​ins, so make sure you email them for a consultation appointment. Rocio sat down with me to get a feel of what I wanted, and then booked another appointment to come in and have it done. In the meantime, she emailed over a sketch of my tattoo so I could mull it over and make any changes if I wanted (it was perfect, so I didn’t.)
I am so impressed by the finished product. Even though it’s smaller, the details in the lines and shading are meticulous, and they give you a detailed after-​care sheet. Also, you are guaranteed to come back for any touch ups for the next three months! Note that it is a bit pricier than most places ($ 180 per hour) but hey, if you’re going to permanently etch something into your skin, you want the best.

I’ve gotten two pieces by Rocio. She’s super awesome and made me feel comfortable during all 5 sessions. I never had trouble scheduling sessions even though I work crazy hours. After our initial consultation, Rocio emailed me the sketches and had somehow captured my vision that I couldn’t accurately describe! The other artists seemed friendly and skilled but I haven’t had work done by any other woman there. Everyone was professional. The building is clean and the vibe is really great. I didn’t feel snubbed when I walked in (wish I could say the same about some of the shops I checked out before Diving Swallow). I finished my second piece today and I’m a little sad that I won’t be returning for any more monthly sessions. If I ever decide to get another tattoo I will definitely go to Rocio.

Just received a touch up from Cedre at Diving Swallow. The place is chill, always good music playing and Cedre is amazing. Kind and calm and an amazing artist. I highly recommend. Photo coming soon.

Best tattoo experience ever. Ruby is a genius. Felt welcome and sincerely understood. She went or of her way to accommodate and understand what i wanted. The space is beautiful, safe, and so friendly. Such a big commitment should always be met with such sincere work ethic and commitment. Thank you!

i went to Diving Swallow to get a «an honor of» piece and could not be more happy with the work that was done there. Cedre specifically listened and worked with me on my idea and helped create a beautifully colored beetle for my first tattoo. The shop was clean and had a very relaxing and upbeat environment, as did each of the artists that were there the day of my appointment.
Cedre’s work was awesome and I’m so glad I went to her. My piece is vibrant in color with clean lines, and came out exactly how I had hoped it would. I would definitely go back to her for my next piece and would surely recommend her to any of my closest friends.
Plus, they play really good music in the shop. I give them total brownie points.

I can not recommend the artists at Diving Swallow enough. I’ve been getting tattooed by Cedre, Marie and Rocio over the last 15 years. The artists are passionate, professional and talented. They care about their client’s experience. The shop is warm and welcoming. They care about the space and they take great pride in their craft.
Most of my work has been done by Cedre. She’s done three duplications for me: Jason Freeny’s Gummi Anatomy, Ai Yamaguchi’s Hatahana, and Cedre’s version of a nebula inspired by a photo taken by the Hubble telescope. She’s passionate about art, her craft, and the connection she makes with her clients.
I’ve had work done both Rocio and Marie. I love their work and hope to collect more pieces by them.

Just this weekend, ANOTHER person of many told me that my left-​arm sleeve tattoo is probably the most beautiful tattoo they’ve ever seen. My right– and left-​arm tattoos have been admired by my Mormon parents in Provo, Utah, by tattoo-​fanatic chefs in Paris, France, by artists in San Francisco, and so many others. I even once had an elderly lady stop me after riding through the wild animal safari in San Diego to admit that she’d been taking pics of my tattoo while she rode the safari with me — interested in my tatts rather than the wild animals!
Cedre Csillagi is the artist who tattooed both of my sleeves, and working with her was one of the best experiences of my life. She is a genius tattoo artist, and also an amazingly sweet and thoughtful person. She’s conscientious, clearly states her policies, and makes the whole creative process – from conceptualizing to drawing review and revision to actual outline and color work – absolutely enjoyable. She is worth every penny, and I recommend paying for a great tattoo artist. The end result is worth it.
Another thing: I also highly recommend Diving Swallow as a tattoo studio. It’s women owned and operated, and the ladies there are awesome. I’ve been tattooed at Black and Blue in SF’s Mission before, and while that was a good experience, I much prefer the friendly artists and warm, communal vibe of Diving Swallow. I’ve recommended many a tattoo-​wanting acquaintance to this shop; it’s worth the trip!

The ladies at this studio are the best kept body art secret in the entire East Bay. I got my half sleeve roughly 3+ years ago and as recently as last week, I received no less than 5 compliments while traveling in Costa Rica on how beautiful, vibrant, and new looking my piece was.
Rocio Arteaga is an AMAZE-​OVARIES artist who was recommended to me by a friend. I showed up to our initial consultation with a very basic concept in mind which was a piece that would represent my American grandparents: our family crest (a blackbird perched on a turnip), grandma’s favorite flowers, grandpa’s cattle brand and WWII purple heart, and something that represented their spirituality without being overtly Christian.
I gave her these rough guidelines and a week later she turned out a masterpiece. I was ready to have that piece on my body right then and there. A few sessions and several months later, I finally had my dream tattoo completed. However, even before it was complete, I had friends and strangers tell me how awesome just the black outline was! That’s how you know it’s a
tat!
Rocio specializes in birds and flowers and manages to create a perfect blend of realism and movement into the bodies of her old school sailor style birds. Also, something else I find very important in a tattoo artist is demeanor and interaction with the client. Rocio has a very relaxing and calming presence without being dull or unfriendly. She professionally offers her criticisms and suggestions of your ideas in a respectful manner that allows you to build trust. This is so very critical especially with someone who is PERMANENTLY putting something onto your body!
I can’t say enough good things about this studio and the wonderful women who work here. If Rocio isn’t your type of artist, there are a handful of other women artists there that I’m 100% certain you will be able to work with. I can’t wait to get back to Rocio for another half-​sleeve piece! Even my wife, who has never met Rocio, wants a tattoo from her! Mad Love to Diving Swallow.

I got my first tattoo, ever, when I was 34. We could say, I waited until I met the right person. I met Cedre through a mutual friend and immediately connected with her calm, creative vibe. She is an amazing artist, and a photograph of the manzanita branch tattoo she did on my outer arm was selected as a centerfold for a CA native plant magazine– yeah, she’s that good! Since that first tattoo, I now have six pieces on my arms– all done by her. I have referred countless people to her, and often will run into people who can name her art when they see me wearing it. Once, a server in a restaurant saw my butterfly, described the chrysalis she wanted, and I knew just who she should choose to put it there. I offered a suggestion, but she said, «No, I’ve already chosen someone I really trust to do it.» When I asked who she’d chosen for it– she said, «Cedre at Diving Swallow. Do you know her?» A perfect match, of course! Having Cedre’s artwork in perpetuity– at least, as long as my skin holds me together– is a gift I would never relinquish. I’m proud to wear her pieces in full visibility every day for the rest of my life! Thanks Cedre!

Had my tattoo done by Cedre a couple of years ago. The shop was great the women were very nice. Cedre was great with me and a joy to talk to. She made me feel calm while she was doing 6 hr tatt on my side. Very professional establishment. I do recommend for the best tattoos.

Dear Jean Chen,
I told you as a I left Diving Swallow that I would write a review for you. Here it is.
Jean, you are awesome. Seriously. You took an idea that has been percolating in my brain for almost 15 years and turned it into the most beautiful and amazing piece. What you designed went so far beyond what I envisioned, and every time I look down at my art, it makes me happy.
Getting a tattoo was not an easy decision. My wife, obviously, was not a fan of the idea, but she knew what it meant to me. The design I gave you — a tiger, to represent my Korean heritage, and my late father’s name written in hangul — was simple in concept, but the emotion that I wanted it to communicate was not something that any artist could convey. But you did it. When people see your work, the first words that usually come out are «beautiful» (which I’ve heard dozens of times in just two short weeks) and also «badass,» which is how I believe both you and I described the finalized drawing you showed me.
Thank you for working with me on my piece. Your ideas, your creativity, your art — it is truly inspiring to me. I did my research before I came, and I just somehow knew you were the right artist. That you put me, a total wimp when it comes to pain (as we know from your discussion with my wife on pimple popping), at ease was nothing short of a miracle. You charmed both my wife and me with your personality and awesome stories, and my wife really enjoyed your mini-​comic zine. I trusted you completely, and you didn’t disappoint.
Jean, thank you again. If ever I am compelled to get another tattoo, it will be you that I get it from.
Best,
Noah