Graven Image Tattoo

I have received one tattoo from Paco a few years ago and I loved it. I have recently commissioned Paco to do a full body suit tattoo on me that will begin in one year when his schedule opens up. Paco is the most creative and genuine artist I have ever met. I am giving him full artistic control to do absolutely whatever he wants. If you want an original piece of artwork, I strongly suggest you apply for a one-​of-​a-​kind tattoo or painting done by Paco Dietz.

Paco is, above all, an artist. Walking in to Graven Image’s new[er] shop on Lafayette is your first sign that this is more than your average tattoo shop. The walls are adorned with oil paintings done by Paco over the years, and books from artists like Rothko to Mucha to Beksinski line the shelves. Paco bleeds and breathes art, and it is ever present in the tattoos he does.
If you are looking to get a tattoo because you saw something cool on a celebrity, or because you think it’d be fun, do not go here. If you love art and want something you can be legitimately thrilled to have be a part of you for the rest of your life, than Paco is your man. I have a thigh piece and a half sleeve done by him, and never cease to have people stop me to compliment them. I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to have such a talented artist do my tattoos, a 5 star Unilocal review does not begin to cover it.

I’ve been getting tattooed by Paco at Graven Image for 3 years now. In that time he’s completed a large leg piece and an (almost) full sleeve. Paco is an artist first and foremost, and he is possessed of the most creative imagination I’ve ever witnessed. When you add to this his encyclopedic technical knowledge of tattooing and visual theory, you end up with a better tattoo than anyone else. Unless that person has been to Paco too. I should also mention the fact that he’s an immensely interesting guy with great taste in music. His wife Lindsay, who runs the studio, is a great person who manages appointments and keeps the show running slick and hygienic so we as clients can get as much tattoo time as possible.
I’m really proud to be a walking steward for Paco’s art. He is really in demand, and rightfully so. If you’re lucky enough to get an appointment and you sit back and allow Paco to do what he does, you’ll end up with a piece of artwork that you’ll never tire of looking at.

I have been getting tattooed by Paco Dietz at Graven Image for 5 years. I first went into Graven Image looking to get a sleeve for my right arm. I was immediately captured by Paco’s artwork and fascinated by his sketch books. Paco completed my sleeve and I was so amazed as to how it turned out we quickly started my second sleeve. The more art we added to my body the more impressed I was with Paco’s abilities. The work was coming together beautifully and it was starting to tell a really cool story, so i decided to do a full body suit. We recently tattooed my neck which might have been a terrifying experience, but it was relieving to have such faith in my artist. I am thrilled with how the bodysuit has turned out so far and I could not have imaged it to be this incredible! It has appeared in a variety of tattoo magazines, books and web-​sites.
The Graven Image shop has an art studio feel to it because of all the paintings on the walls and the different sculptures. It is also like getting tattooed at a resort; big screen TV, heating pad if you get cold and 100% sterile. I have never been in a shop like it. Once you have been tattooed there its impossible to image getting tattooed anywhere else.
I highly recommend looking into this shop. If nothing else check out Paco’s artwork. He has created some truly mind-​blowing pieces!

I just wanted to say they do have amazing artwork and artists from what I have seen. However I can’t speak for myself seeing as how their customer service is awful and non existant. I have tried calling for weeks as well as sending multiple emails to every email account I have seen connected to the shop. I understand being a well known artist they may or may not be concerned with their possible clients, but as a business that is a shitty way to conduct oneself.

Several months ago I had a tattoo done by Aaron and I didn’t even bother going back for the touch up work that the tatt needs. I did not like his attitude at all. He was unfriendly and rude and frankly I don’t think he really knew how to do the design that I had. I don’t know about the other artists there but I can’t recommend Aaron.

I had my most recent tattoo done by Aaron Crocker at Graven Image. Aaron was great from start to finish. I found him to be professional and friendly. My tattoo was getting compliments when it was just an outline, so you can image the finished piece. It’s fantastic. My last tattoo artist was in the East Bay, so I am very happy that I found someone local that I like and who does stellar work. I was very, very impressed with the cleanliness of the tattoo shop. Everything gets covered with plastic from lights to the guns to the tabletops. That plastic is changed between clients. I noticed that the gloves were changed every time they were removed. Super impressed and I would go back in a heartbeat. Thank you for a great tattoo. Here are some comments straight from my FB page, LOL:
Rebecca HELL YES! That looks AMAZING!!!
July 25 at 8:30pm * Like * 1
Jamie NICE!!!
July 25 at 8:34pm * Like
Jamie I looooooove it!
July 25 at 8:34pm * Like
Corinn Fuck yeah!!!
July 25 at 8:36pm * Unlike * 2
Krista SUPER FUCKIN’ SWEET!!!
July 25 at 8:42pm * Like * 1
Stephanie That is beautiful!!! Very nice work!
July 25 at 8:42pm * Like
JOanna that is gorgeous, simply gorgeous
July 25 at 8:58pm * Like
Lea now that is a tattoo!
July 25 at 9:07pm * Like
Lea love it
July 25 at 9:07pm * Like
Janice Anything inner arm? Love the artwork. Well done!
July 25 at 10:32pm * Like
Jenelle Very, very nice!
July 26 at 2:03am * Like
Nikki EPIC! I love it!
July 26 at 5:00am * Like
Kristina Love it, Kristy!
July 26 at 5:23am * Like
Jenelle Just came back to look at this again. You’ve got a very good tattoo artist. The shading is phenomenal
July 26 at 5:45am * Like
Anouck OMG, LOVE it!
July 26 at 7:44am * Like
Jonell I love it!!! Looks really good!!! I love her hand…
July 26 at 12:32pm * Like
Michelle Ohhhhhhhhhhhh… purty
July 26 at 12:53pm * Like

They are kinda pricey i think, depends on which artist you want, but the money is worth it. There is great artists working at this shop. You want a sick tattoo, worth your money and time, come here. Nice guys too!

Top notch… I got my first here in Oct. and then my second in December…
I love my tattoos. The work is high quality.
The after care instructions were well laid out.
The work was done with mercy and quite professionally, not to mention flawlessly.
Moreover, the owners portfolio is enough reason to stop back in; Paco is a unique talent.
Btw; I had aftercare questions, and my emails were responded to within an 30 mins. Thats pretty cool, bc I can imagine some ppl are freaking out when peeling starts on their first one…
There are plenty of good clean shops out there, with quality work… I feel that Graven Image is a great shop with unique talents and top shelf work…

Graven Image Tattoo is truly second to none. I spent countless hours online researching Bay Area shops until I stumbled upon their website. I almost instantaneously fell in love with Paco Dietz’s work and knew immediately that he was the one to tackle my sleeve.
I’ve had nothing but 5 star service from these people since day one. I’m truly shocked and kind of lost for words that anyone would have anything bad to say about their customer service. My initial email was responded to promptly and professionally. About a week after exchanging emails I went to the shop for the first time. Upon entering I realized that this shop wasn’t like any other that I had previously visited. The walls weren’t covered with generic «tattoo ideas» but instead sculptures and other art made by Paco. Another thing I noticed was how clean it was, there was nothing grimy or seedy about this place.
Paco Dietz is truly an amazing artist but above that he is an all around nice guy. He handles himself in a professional manner and is extremely knowledgeable about what he does. While he’s tattooing he creates a fun and relaxed environment that almost makes you forget that your being stabbed with a needle, haha! I must admit, it is sometimes hard to hold still and not laugh when he and the guys are joking back and forth. It’s almost impossible to describe his work in words, it’s something you really have to see for yourself.
This place is 5 Stars all the way. Don’t cheat yourself if you’re looking to get tattooed, visit these guys…

These guys rule — all of them are extremely talented and easy to work with. The tattoos aren’t cheap, but you definitely get what you pay for — high quality work that you’ll be really stoked to have on you.
Somewhat related tip: If you want a tattoo, save until you have enough money for a nice piece. Cheap tattoos suck and you’ll end up regretting them!

Got my first tattoo on the 1^st and came back yesterday for the second. And guess what? Going in next week for a third. That’s how much I heart this place. These guys genuinely care about their work and how it should look on you. Aaron C. is my go to man and he is spectacular. All the guys there are super friendly including The Great Paco Dietz who makes sure I’m enjoying the /\/\etal rather than Aaron’s Curtis Blow shuffle.
But hell, I’d listen to Neil Diamond with these dudes. they’re THAT good.

I love Graven Image & Paco Dietz, my back piece, a Paco original is almost finished. I am so pleased with it already. Paco has this incredible ability to read minds or something! I walked in with an idea, and now have this amazing art on my back.
The shop is always clean, the guys always remember my name. What more could one ask for?

I went to Graven Image a long while back after having some piercings done by Mark @ the Fatty Zone next door.
I talked to Daniel who was at the front desk about doing an octopus on my arm. We collaborated briefly and I said I’d be back to talk more and put down a deposit. A few months went by, I had my octopus done by my artist in Colorado who had done all of my previous work… I ended up back in Graven Image and again talked to Daniel about some work I wanted done.
We started from a small idea and collaborated to complete a piece which covers most of my back. It’s incredible and Daniel’s work is beautiful. He really listened to what I wanted and worked with me to get a fucking amazing result. He’s gentle and considerate and doesn’t feel the need to talk my ear off while he’s working. He just does his thing. I plan on having him do a lot more work on me in the future…
During the sessions on my back I also started talking to Matt about portraits. I wanted a portrait done of my mom and we talked about covering up one of my older tattoos with a gothic-​esque frame. I put a deposit down and when I went in for my first session Matt showed me an incredible drawing; beautiful and bad ass. We’ve done 3 sessions so far, and again Matt is professional, gentle, and gets into a groove and just does his thing.
I love the guys at this shop. They’re funny, fun to be around, and know how to chill out and listen to some good music.
Aaron rocks my socks, Paco is cool and it is amazing to watch him work… I plan on giving these boys a lot of my money in the near future. They charge for what you get, and I have no problem paying a chubby chunk of change for something that’s going to be on my body forever. If you want a $ 50 piece of shit, don’t even bother walking into G/​I.

Graven Image is the best tattoo shop in the Bay Area. I’ve had all my work done there and wouldn’t go anywhere else. The staff is great, easy going and professional. Owner and artist Paco Dietz amazing. He takes my simple ideas and makes them art any critic would love.
I never hesitate telling people to go see Paco Dietz first, there’s no need to go anywhere else.

I love Graven Image. I had a very big chest piece done by Matt Hamlet. It took several sittings but the detail, color, and quality of the piece are awesome.
This shop definitely caters to people who like to do more involved work. They can do single-​sitting tattoos, but I think the strength of the artists really lies in bigger more involved pieces.
If you’re looking for *high quality* work I’d recommend Graven Image (and especially my artist Matt Hamlet). And seriously… if you’re getting a tattoo that’s going to be with you forever, there’s no excuse to get anything but high quality work.

You could go to any one of the myriad of tattoo shops in the Bay Area, pick a piece of flash off the wall, plop down $ 50-​$ 100, sit your ass in the chair for an hour or less and walk out with color in your skin. But for a work of art, as beautiful as a painting in a museum, uniquely yours, and unlike any other tattoo you’ve ever seen, Graven Image, and Paco in particular, is the place/​artist to go to.
Yes, you will pay a premium price.
Yes, you might have to wait for an appointment.
Yes, the process takes time and usually multiple sittings.
But you will end up with the highest quality work that can be found in any shop, anywhere. And the shop is clean, friendly, helpful and all those things you’d expect from a quality establishment. I searched long and hard for an artist that could do the type of work that Paco does. I would never let anyone else tattoo me again, ever. When people see his work on my body they almost can’t believe it’s actually a tattoo and not something that has been painted on. it’s that beautiful.
I highly recommend this shop and the people that work there.

I found Graven Image on Unilocal and couldn’t be happier with the work they have done.
I had a rather simple heart tattoo on my back that I wanted to get enhanced. I only had a concept of what I wanted, so I had Matthew Hamlet sketch something out for me. I was amazed by how he nailed the essence of my request on the first design.
So far it has been 11 hours in the chair and a lot of rave reviews about the tattoo in progress. Matt and Paco keep the mood like a Frank Zappa song come to life. Great guys and great work.

Went in to get a price quote on a piece I wanted done. Staff was rude, unfriendly and I had to explain what I wanted three times to three separate people and still didn’t receive a quote or any other useful information.
My sister got a tattoo done on her ankle here recently and they went too deep and scarred it. Tattoo artist told her it was an allergy to red ink, but her other tattoos (done after this one) contain red ink and she did not have a similar reaction. Inks do vary but we’ve since gotten second (and third) opinions and they all come to the same conclusion. tattoo was done too deep.
And just so no one gets on my case… I have plenty of other tattoos that were done at another shop where the service was far superior. Just thought I’d check this place out because it was closer to my house. While I can’t speak for myself for their actual work (who knows, they might have amazing artists hiding in there) their customer service is shit and they do a great job at making you feel like they don’t want you there.

So I was looking for someone new to do a couple of tattoos and I found Graven. Lucky for me I stumbled upon Jeff! He just happened to be the dude at the desk when I came in. Im sure both Paco and Blake are very talented but I really dig Jeff’s style and personality.
So far he has done 3 tats for me and they are deffinatly my favorites. Im sure I will continue to have him do work for me in the future.
By the way… Blake has left Graven! He is tattooing at another shop in San Jose now.