Tattoo parlor comes to town - Warpath Studio opens on New Britain Avenue

by Mark Jahne

Editor

Kelvin Ruiz is an artist who uses the human body as his canvas. His tattoos are intricate and carefully drawn. After two years in business in Cromwell, he decided to relocate his Warpath Studio to a storefront on New Britain Avenue.

Kelvin Ruiz recently relocated his Warpath Studio tattoo business from Cromwell to Newington. The walls feature artwork of famous Native Americans, a tribute to the fact that Ruiz has Apache heritage. Photo by Mark Jahne.

Ruiz said he immediately felt welcome in Newington, which is close to his home in New Britain. There was early support from town government and the Newington Chamber of Commerce, which he has joined.

“Newington was excited to bring in a new tattoo shop. Newington wanted me here. This has more space and I was looking to expand,” he said.

That space allowed him to add another artist to the business. He started as a solo practitioner but now has multiple artists.

“We are so excited to see this business come to town,” Leslie Civitello said,

This is an example of the detailed tattoo art created at Warpath Studio. Photo by Kelvin Alfonso

She is the executive director of the chamber. Civitello added that it’s good to have a mix of businesses that appeal to different demographic groups in town and tattoo shops can attract young business people as customers.

The shop has an eclectic décor that includes his interest in Native American tribal imagery.

“I’m Mexican on my dad’s side and Mescalero Apache on my mom’s side,” he said. “I’ve been into art since I was 12.”

Now 36 years old, he got into tattooing in his late 20s. Ruiz and his shop are licensed by both the state and town health departments.

Tattoo technology has changed and now it is even possible to remove an image that a person no longer wants. But he pointed out that it’s not easy and requires multiple sessions.

He thinks that one reason body art is popular is that society is more open to the idea. It also helps that many athletes and other celebrities sport tattoos. His customers include attorneys, physicians and law enforcement personnel

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Warpath Studio artist and owner Kelvin Ruiz, right, is assisted with operating the business by Studio Manager Kelvin Alfonso. Photo by Lisa Brisson.

“Athletes are a huge one. Many in [general] society and the younger generation are more outspoken about their beliefs” and willing to promote those beliefs on their skin, he said.

“The males tend to lean toward bigger and more intricate pieces. A lot of guys like skulls and lions. Women tend to be more reserved,” Ruiz added.

“I’m getting a lot of older clients, late 60s, 70s,” who are asking for their first tattoo. “The oldest client I tattooed was a 90-year-old woman with her daughter.”

They got matching designs. He thinks women are leaning more favorably toward getting tattoos because they go well with jewelry.

Placement is important and they look best on a flat surface of the body, he said. The process starts with an initial consultation. He places a stencil on the body to start the artwork. Sessions can run from two to five hours.

“Tattooing is definitely a form of expression,” he said.

He compared it to writing in a diary. The art a person chooses to place on his or her body is a living diary. It can also serve as a form of therapy.

“It’s a coping mechanism for men” as they turn emotional pain into the physical discomfort that is part of getting a tattoo; there is a bit of a burning sensation.

He explained that the name “Warpath” represents his daily effort to live a better life. CL

Warpath Studio is located at 425-C New Britain Ave., call 860-964-7773.