New tattoo studio moves to Hampton guided by faith

A new tattoo studio and art gallery in Hampton wouldn’t have been possible without a series of coincidences.

Ian Foley, of Iowa Falls, and Hampton native, Hope (Paine) Polk, are working to renovate the former Abbott Realty building to accommodate Foley Ink’d, which will contain Foley’s tattoo operation, an art gallery of Foley’s and other artists’ works and a meeting space.

Foley Ink’d Tattoo Studio Open House will be Oct. 10, with two guest artists taking walk-ins that day. Foley and Polk will be serving “Norm-rites” for those who attend.

Once the building is up and running, Foley will transfer his current tattoo studio in Iowa Falls to the Hampton location.

Foley and Polk, now engaged with a wedding set for October, first met because the office in which Polk works is next to Foley’s studio. Just a handful of days before they met, Foley received a tattoo depicting Jesus’ praying hands and on the knuckle of one of the hands is the word “hope.” This was the first in a series of several signs Foley and Polk would receive on their way to opening the Hampton location.

“God’s really led us to each other and has blessed us through these past eight months,” Polk said. “As the world is falling apart around us, our relationship just became more blessed and peace-filled.”

Foley added that once he started coming to Hampton to visit Hope, he was drawn to the empty building space for rent on Main Street and Highway 3.

“I went by this place the first time and said, ‘That’ll make an awesome tattoo studio but it’ll never happen because I’ve got no reason to,’” he said.

Now with the intentions of living in Hampton, Foley, decided to move his business to Hampton. With the location picked out, Hope and Foley have worked to overhaul the building to make it suitable for a tattoo studio, adding in new flooring, improving the infrastructure and painting the walls. In the room designated for the tattoo studio, Foley has splashed the walls in vibrant paint and shapes. A closer look reveals personal touches, such as Foley and Polk’s maiden name (Paine) and a Nirvana logo drawn by Hope’s son, Aiden.

Once completed, visitors will find a space that reflects Foley’s ambition but also has an obvious focus on customers’ comfort and their individuality.

“We really want this place to look clean, professional with a fun atmosphere where clients feel safe and valued,” said Polk. “We want it to be a bright light in Hampton.”

“People will find friendly, honest customer service and just a great product,” Foley added.

The studio will provide a new offering to Hampton’s downtown community, as no such businesses currently exist within city limits. In fact, Polk said this could be the first ever tattoo studio in Hampton but the two are confident that Foley’s talent and loyal customer base can lead to success in a new community.

“His product has spoken for itself,” said Polk. “He already has a good Hampton client base from having his shop in Iowa Falls. It’s exciting to have him be the pioneer of the tattoo trade in Hampton.”

The chance to provide a new service while being a member of her hometown’s business community, Polk said is surreal but an opportunity

“I’ve worked for the chamber and I know what a new business uptown means for the community and I know it helps other businesses thrive,” she said. “The businesses downtown will have new people walking into their business because Ian brings so many new people from so many different places.

Hampton will see new people in town because of the service he provides and the quality he provides,” she added.

When the new location is operational, Foley will take clients by appointment only. Appointments can be made by going to the Foley Ink’d Facebook page. Foley will have guest artists on location occasionally to provide walk-ins. The studio will also serve as an art gallery, where people can view and purchase Foley’s works.

The mission of Foley Ink’d, however, goes beyond tattoos and art. Foley said he will use the new space to conduct Bible studies for anyone who may be interested. Polk said that the idea behind offering Bible studies is to offer a place for people to share their stories in a non-judgmental, safe space and change some of the negative stereotypes around the tattoo community.

“We want to be a bright light in Hampton,” she said. “Tattoos have the stereotype of being dark but there really is another side to it if you put God in it and let God lead you through it.

Our ultimate goal is for this tattoo studio to be Christian based because God has really led us to where we are now and has blessed us through our relationship,” she added. “We want to appreciate the blessings by serving others.”