AMENIA, NY — After more than a decade operating in the heart of Poughkeepsie, Mike Boyce is coming home. The longtime tattoo artist, originally from Amenia, has opened The Queen’s Head Tattoo and Art Gallery at 5329 Route 44 — a space that blends his love for tattooing with a deeper commitment to the community and the arts.
The shop quietly opened its doors last week for a soft launch, with a grand opening planned for August.
From Poughkeepsie Struggles to a New Beginning
Boyce spent the last 14 years running Queen City Tattoo in Poughkeepsie. While the shop had become a local institution, challenges surrounding safety, drugs, and crime in the area became increasingly difficult to manage — especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I did a lot for the community out there — we used to feed the homeless,” Boyce recalled. “During COVID, we couldn’t open the shop, so we turned it into a kitchen because a lot of kids depended on school lunch.”
But after reopening, Boyce found himself overwhelmed. “Things went downhill. I had to be a doctor, cop, and security all at once. I couldn’t focus on tattooing anymore,” he said.
A Passion Discovered by Chance
Though tattooing wasn’t his original career path — Boyce graduated from culinary school and spent a decade in restaurants — a spontaneous online ad for a tattoo machine changed everything.
“I’ve always been into art since I was a little boy,” he said. Intrigued, he traded a Game Boy and a camera for a tattoo kit and began teaching himself the craft. “At first, I did a lot of bad tattoos,” he admitted. “But within a year, I was working in a shop. A year and a half later, I was managing it.”
Tattooing, he says, allowed him to turn his lifelong love of art into a fulfilling and sustainable career.
Breaking the Stigma and Elevating the Craft
For Boyce, tattooing is more than just ink — it’s an evolving art form. “The tattoo industry isn’t just gangs and bikers anymore,” he said. “It’s real art now. I like showing people that you might look at me and think one thing, but that’s not who I am.”
His reputation in the tattoo community reflects his dedication. Over the years, Boyce has mentored nearly 30 apprentices, helping them learn the fundamentals of the art form with a focus on precision, respect, and creativity.
Giving Back to the Community
With The Queen’s Head, Boyce hopes to continue his tradition of community involvement. “I want to work with local kids, especially those coming out of high school who are interested in art,” he said. “I’d love to offer art classes and be involved however I can. That’s huge for me.”
The gallery aspect of his new shop aims to bridge the gap between traditional art and tattooing — showcasing work that elevates the medium and breaks down misconceptions.
A Name with Meaning
The shop’s name carries symbolic weight. “Poughkeepsie is known as the Queen City of the Hudson,” Boyce explained. “So my old shop was Queen City Tattoo. Now, the Queen’s done — it’s The Queen’s Head. Like ‘off with her head,’ you know?”
A Focus on Peace and Passion
After a turbulent few years, Boyce is focused on restoring balance and reclaiming his passion. “One of my goals is to find peace and better my art,” he said. “This is something I can’t give up. I’ve done it for 14 years. I love it — it’s my passion.”
As The Queen’s Head Tattoo and Art Gallery settles into Amenia, Boyce’s return feels like more than a homecoming — it’s a creative rebirth grounded in resilience, artistry, and community.
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