Art, Integrity & Tattooing in New York City
For more than 30 years, Rising Dragon has been part of New York City tattooing. What began as a passion for creating meaningful artwork on skin has grown into a respected NYC tattoo studio known for custom work, experienced artists, and a personal approach that has never been lost along the way.
Today, Rising Dragon is located on the border of Chelsea and the West Village in Manhattan, where we work from a comfortable second-floor studio designed to feel more like a creative space than a tattoo factory.
A Tattoo Studio Built Around Artists
Rising Dragon was founded by tattoo artist Darren Rosa, whose career has been shaped by a lifelong love of art and tattooing.
Darren’s greatest artistic passion is Japanese tattooing—a tradition he respects for its powerful imagery, symbolism, history, and ability to transform the entire body into a unified work of art. Dragons, koi, phoenixes, tigers, flowers, wind, clouds and water aren’t simply individual images. In Japanese tattooing, they become part of a larger visual story.
More Than 30 Years of Tattooing
My studio in NYC, Rising Dragon Tattoos, is a reflection of myself, and the values that I’ve always held dear in my heart. To me, art and drawing, making something out of nothing, is magical.
Making tattoos, creating large art pieces, landscapes of color, dynamic flow, traditional Japanese imagery, is magical. People come in with blank skin, and leave with art that embodies something that reflects their experience, their belief, or their desires.
Tattooing is so personal, I can’t help but lend an ear to my client’s story. Every artistic endeavor we make is an important collaboration between the artist and his client.
In 1992 I moved my business from Uptown Manhattan down to the Chelsea-West Village area, and we’ve been there ever since. The artistic open-minded people, in this area was the vibe I wanted to work in.
In 1997 we had a great studio at the Hotel Chelsea. They sold the building, and we acquired the spot we are in now, 14th Street between 5&6th avenues, in a somewhat hidden, off the beaten path second floor studio space where we can provide tailored, private services in a quiet laid back atmosphere reminiscent of an artist’s home, rather than a street shop vendor. We don’t mass produce like some of our competition. Our clients become our friends, we share conversation, stories, anecdotes, and we collaborate on permanent art.
First impressions count the most, and we are here to make sure you remember us, and come back for more.
Rising Dragon Tattoos
New York City
Art. Integrity. Massive Experience.