MUSCATINE, Iowa — He may have just received his license, but Muscatine native Scott Campbell said he’s been creating tattoos for 17 years.

He has a little bit of art displayed at the new tattoo parlor, Abstrax Tattoo, 216 Green St., suite 3, to prove that although his shop opened on March 22, he has some previous  experience.

Campbell has been drawing since he was a young boy and has most recently studied with a tattoo artist in California  before moving back to Muscatine.

Campbell, 34, said he’s ready for some friendly competition with at least four other tattoo artists in town because he knows that he’ll stand out once customers catch a glimpse of what he’s capable of.

Though he does it all, Campbell said he favors black and gray art and custom pictures with lots of detail.

“I like to do a lot of freehand work. Someone can give me a picture and I’ll enhance it, customize it to their preference. But I can also do stencils if they prefer. I’m versatile,” Campbell said. “People come in and they’ve got an idea and I can just sketch it out real quick.”

Campbell said that he has completed several tattoos already at his new shop and that customers have told him the work is better than they ever imagined it could be.

He also knows that many people have older tattoos that need fixing up.

“I can do that and I can usually fix others’ mistakes,” he added.

If it’s faded, he’ll brighten it, if it’s just plain ugly — maybe it’ll need to be completely covered with something more appealing, he said.

There is a $65 minimum charge at Abstrax Tattoo. Small pieces are done by a set price and larger pieces are priced by the hour. Campbell said he’ll beat any Muscatine artists’ hourly price and plans to keep the rate below $100 per hour for large tattoos.

“I’m trying to get the word out,” he said. “My work isn’t anything like the others’, and though I am not competing against them, I think people will be flocking in once they know what kind of work I can do.”

Contact Melissa Regennitter at: 563-263-2331, Ext. 317, or mregennitter@muscatinejournal.com