Tattoo art not a Taboo topic at Keyport parlor
Award-winning artist Meryl Hurwich joins Broad Street business
BY KAREN E. BOWES
Staff Writer

KEYPORT — Maybe you’ve seen them around town — the burly guys with big beards, wide smiles and a million tattoos.

They’re the friendly folks from Taboo Tattoo and they’ve got plenty to smile about these days.

The Broad Street tattoo and piercing parlor, a staple in town since 2001, recently welcomed the arrival of Meryl Hurwich, an award-winning tattoo artist from Long Island.

Owner Doug Grandon is already reaping the rewards of the addition, with business steadily improving since Hurwich’s arrival.

“I really wanted to have a man and a woman,” Grandon said of the new artist.

Hurwich joins John “Fitz” Fitzgerald of Union Beach, the shop’s male artist.

Because of the private nature of tattooing, Grandon noted, some clients might feel more comfortable working with a woman.

“Not that Fitz isn’t a handsome man,” Grandon joked.

“Yeah, who’s the hot Amish-looking guy?” retorted Fitzgerald, referring to himself.

Which begs the question, what’s taboo about being friendly?

“It’s the happiest place on earth,” Fitzgerald said. “Like Disneyland without the funny suits.”

“It’s a fun place,” added Grandon. “Not your usual tattoo shop.”

Fighting fiercely against the rough-and-tumble stereotype of tattoo parlors past, the staff at Taboo Tattoo is happy to answer questions, arrange appointments around the client’s schedule, and work with first-timers who aren’t quite sure what they’re getting themselves into.

“When people get their first one, it’s like their ‘let’s see if I can take the pain’ tattoo. Once they realize it wasn’t so bad, they may add to it,” Fitzgerald said.

“We get doctors, lawyers, police officers, ultimate fighting champions and average people,” Grandon said. “The ages range from 16, with parental consent, to about 72.”

As far as style is concerned, clients have a variety of choices. Fantasy, portraits, traditional and “new school” traditional are just some of the areas to choose from. Hurwich and Fitzgerald also specialize in custom work and are happy to work with a client’s own drawings and ideas.

On Saturday, repeat customer Jose Rodriguez, of Keansburg, was at the shop. Hurwich spent several hours adding to the aquarium theme along his lower left arm.

“It’s flawless,” Rodriguez said of Hurwich’s original work. “Some tattoo artists don’t take the time out to do it properly. She cares about her job and likes doing the work, so it comes out good. I’m happy to come here, and she’s happy to work … Every two weeks, I’m back.”

According to Hurwich, it’s the greatest working environment she’s ever experienced.

“Doug and Fitz are the nicest people I’ve ever worked with,” said Hurwich. “Between my customers and my co-workers, I’m so happy I don’t know what to do with myself.”

PHOTOSBY CHRIS KELLY staff (Top left, left and above photos) Meryl Hurwich, an artist at Taboo Tattoo in Keyport, works on an underwater scene on Keansburg’s Jose Rodriguez on Saturday. Fellow employee Tom May, of East Brunswick, shows off an intricate pattern on his forearm (top right). The parlor also has several other art concepts on display.

The classically trained artist is a graduate of the Parsons School of Design, New York City.

“I was working at a large corporation as an art director for eight years,” Hurwich said. “It was terrible. I hated it. I thought there’s got to be something better to do with the talent I have. It’s a gift, and it felt wrong not to use it.”

Hurwich chose to go into tattoo work after friends encouraged her.

“There’s no bad part to it,” she added. “Doing custom work is amazing.”

The most requested tattoo? Not surprisingly, name cover-ups.

“One of Fitz’s specialties is cover-ups,” said Grandon.

“We always try to talk people out of getting names, and they always say the same thing: ‘No man, this is different, we’re in love,’” Fitzgerald said.

“Then, sure enough, they’ll come strolling back in through the door a couple months later and say, ‘Get this thing off me,’” added Grandon.

“I try to tell them,” said Fitzgerald. “Mom and Dad will always be your mom and dad. Your kids will always be your kids. Everything else is subject to change, sometimes drastically.”

Taboo Tattoo is located at 242 Broad St., Keyport. Hours are 2 - 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 2 - 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information call (732) 739-9852 or visit www.tabootattoos.com