Rob Phillips: Joining the Circus
Every tattoo artist has their thing.
Not talking about style, but a subject or motif they’re drawn to a little more than the rest. For Craig Brock, that’s clowns. When Rob Phillips reached out to him for a circus-themed, traditional framed tattoo, you could imagine Craig’s unfiltered joy.
Healed traditional framed leg sleeve by Craig Brock.
“I’m a really big fan of American Horror Story and since the Freak Show season, I’d been playing with that as a tattoo concept,” Rob says. After following Ink & Dagger and seeing Craig’s traditional framed work online, the match started to make sense.
Rob explains that once he found out Craig was also really into circus and clown themes, “it all just came together so naturally.”
For Craig, that enthusiasm on both sides of their exchange made all the difference.
“Rob was the best. From the beginning of the consultation, I knew he was a dream client for me,” Craig remembers. “He had a really fun idea… and he brought a list of all the subjects he wanted to include and was very receptive to my ideas and suggestions.”
Reaching a Flow State
That early synergy set the tone for the whole project. Rob came with a clear sense of direction, and then trusted Craig to help shape it into something even better. That’s the kind of collaboration Craig hopes to find in each client.
Craig says after they dialed in size and placement, Rob was totally ready for the long haul.
“He was relaxed and patient while we got everything sized up and placed on him, then proceeded to sit all day for two full days in a row without any issue.”
Those marathon sessions paid off. Rob was patient and Craig moved quickly, so everything snapped into place.
“One of my favorite things about this project was how quickly we were able to finish it,” Craig says. “That is because of his commitment and dedication.”
Client Experience
For Rob, the experience was as much about connection as it was about the tattoo itself.
Craig and Rob strike a pose.
“Take the time to find the artist that not only matches the general style of the tattoo that you are looking for, but also the subject area,” Rob advises. “You know you are going to be happiest with your tattoo when the artist is as pumped about the project as you are.”
He says seeing Craig genuinely excited helped smooth over any hesitation around letting go and trusting the process, which was huge for him.
Rob also had high praise for Ink & Dagger as a whole: the welcoming environment, the efficient administrative process, and even the small perks.
“Ink & Dagger is one of the best shops I’ve had work done at,” he says. “Everyone is super friendly… having snacks available during long sessions is not just a little bonus, but speaks to the thoughtfulness that has been put into the experience.”
And the connection didn’t end when the tattoo was finished. Rob has already come back to the shop since his sessions with Craig — and is planning his next visit.
Why Craig Nominated Rob
For Craig, this was one of the most fun, engaging collaborations he’s been part of.
“This was one of the most fun things I’ve ever been asked to do,” he says. “Working with Rob was an absolute delight. 10/10.”
Rob’s clarity of vision, openness to collaboration, and commitment to the process made this an experience deserving of recognition.
Ready to Start Your Own Project?
Whether you’re dreaming up a tattoo with campy charm, a framed traditional piece, or something totally unique that reflects you as a person, Craig Brock is all ears!
Check out Craig’s portfolio, send in a booking request form, and start planning something unforgettable at Ink & Dagger.
