As a seventeen year old living with his parents in Southern California, Dave Bobrick got his first tattoo in Hollywood- a Court Jester on his shoulder.

“My parents hated it.”

He was an artist by nature and dabbled in painting, drawing and airbrushing.

After my second tattoo, my parents were worried and by my third tattoo they were sure I was going to be a criminal.”

After High School, Dave got a job at State Farm Insurance.

“I had a desk, a cubicle and my parents were proud, but I didn’t feel comfortable. It wasn’t me.”

Dave had an artist friend living in San Francisco and when he was twenty, he came to San Francisco for Halloween weekend. A week later Dave left the insurance of that cubicle, put what he could fit in his car and moved to San Francisco.

The two artists pooled their money, invested in some mail order tattoos, put together a portfolio and began tattooing their friends out of their apartment.

“In the 90’s San Francisco was a big mecca for tattooing. There was a lot of pioneering art work.”

Dave quickly realized that the best way to improve his art and become proficient in tattooing was to apprentice for an accomplished tattoo artist. For seven years he worked for Henry Goldfield on Broadway where he gained experience and expert instruction.

Today, a customer will seek out a tattooer because they have become familiar with their work and their style. They may have an idea of the type of tattoo they desire, a logo or an image that means something to them.

“70% of people come in with an idea and I can draw up something I think they’ll like and they’ll give me artistic freedom.”

While still working for Henry Goldfield, Dave took over a small Tattoo shop on Taraval in the Outer Sunset.

“There was no foot traffic and I liked the Inner Sunset and started to look for space. Finally, this space became available and it was just an open box, four walls with two center support beams, concrete floor that was it. I got the lease and told the landlord I’d do all the work myself.”

Dave and his friends: contractors, painters and plumbers spent six months, designing the space, building walls, installing plumbing and flooring. While he tells me about this collaborative process, Janis Joplin can be heard in the background.

“Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends.” This is only partially true in Dave’s case. When I first walked down the little alley to ONE SHOT TATTOO, I didn’t know what to expect. It was a visual delight. The shop looks like a sleek high end downtown salon.

I’m curious about the name, ONE SHOT TATTOO.

“I knew this was my one shot. I was down to my last penny. We were painting the sandwich board outside with a brand of paint called ONE SHOT. Its sign painters paint. It’s a yellow can with a bull’s eye and the Eminem song came on the radio, about ONE SHOT.

On this day during Christmas vacation, the youngest of his three daughters, Lily, is in the shop and climbs onto her fathers lap. He started the business shortly after she was born six years ago. Lily lets me know she has a ten and fourteen year old sister. There’s a tenderness I often see with fathers and their daughters.

Dave initially had some trepidation about opening ONE SHOT TATTOO.

“I was a little nervous when I opened over here. I didn’t know if this neighborhood would be accepting of a tattoo studio.”

This was not the case.

“Since we opened,it's been locals and merchants that send people over.Lots of support. This is a family shop. My kids are here. Customers bring their kids, their friends, their Moms.”

Dave admits to being a “people person.” And like me, enjoys their stories.

“People immediately open up to their tattoo artist. There is a little bit of suffering and it becomes an intimate connection. I’m putting something on them that’s unique and for life. It means something and they leave here elated.”

The bonds interweave as many clients become friends.

“Whenever I go out, I see someone I’ve tattooed. They have this fondness. I meet great people from all across the spectrum. I can move in many circles and have developed some great relationships.”

I want to know about popular designs for women and men. Women opt for roses, butterflies and vines, while men still lead with panthers, lions and anchors. Dave assures me, given the diversity and artistic nature of San Francisco,the range is varied and interesting.

What about the pain?

Initially, there is a fear factor when approaching the first tattoo. Fear of the pain, the permanence and reaction from family and friends.

“There are lots of inhibitions in tattooing, which is why they are somewhat addictive.”

I press Dave for further explanation.

“I think after you get your first tattoo some of those inhibitions tend to go out the window and you realize the pain isn’t nearly what you anticipated.”

I ask about the number of tattoos he has.

“You get to the point you stop counting.”

He shows me his arms, legs, fingers and assures me his toes are covered, while his neck has

R-E-S-P-E-C-T tattooed around the circumference. Dave exhibits respect for his clientele, his daughters and this neighborhood.

“It’s like a secluded bubble. There are lots of locals. I see the same faces every day. I like the Mom and Pop small businesses. People know their neighbors.”

Dave feels a sense of loyalty and has a great family, friends and his crew at ONE SHOT TATTOO. Karina, a tattoo artist has worked for him for eight years.

Proudest accomplishment?

“My children. I’m a father first.”

NEXT WEEK: MEET CHRIS, OWNER ROARING MOUSE CYCLES.