Inked up (11:49 p.m.)

Published 9:46 pm Tuesday, February 24, 2009

A tattoo needle darts in and out of Clayton Lynch’s skin as the 25-year-old clasps his hands together and drops an expletive.

Surrounded by his brother and two of his closest friends, Lynch sits shirtless inside Revolution Ink, Pelham’s newest tattoo parlor, at 11 p.m. The Black Crowes’ song “Twice As Hard” is playing on the radio, and Lynch updates his support squad on his status.

“It doesn’t tickle, but it’s not that bad,” he said amid the loud buzz of the needle.

Late night appointments are common at Revolution Ink, where crosses, stars and flowers are the most requested designs.

Since opening last year, the contemporary parlor has gained popularity through old-fashioned word of mouth.

“We’re usually here real late on Thursdays and Fridays,” said owner and artist Jeffrey Hubbard. “We’ve been here up to two, three o’clock in the morning.”

Peer recommendations led Lynch to Hubbard, who hand-drew a compass rose on the upper left side of Lynch’s back.

As Hubbard dips the needle tip in a small black ink cap, Lynch explained the reasoning behind the compass rose design.

“My mom actually drew the design,” he said, pointing to the drawing tacked on a display board. “We’re a nautical family … we scuba dive and travel a lot.”

Lynch’s mom is unaware her drawing is now body art, but Lynch suspects “she’ll probably take a belt sander to it” when she sees it.

“I’m just kidding. She’ll be fine with it,” he said. “And my dad will probably want to get one too.”

After about an hour in the chair, Lynch receives the news he’s been anticipating all night.

Lynch’s party gathers behind Hubbard to take a sneak peek. They nod approvingly and say, “Looks good, man.”