Heidi Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 I guess I'm forced to make an introduction here! I googled "most painful area to get a tattoo" the other day because I want to get my ribs done someday, but am 110% sure it will be a nightmare (but then again I'm always 110% sure each tattoo will be a killer, when in reality most of the the hours in the chair aren't that bad). Google led me to a thread on this forum and I found it a great read....and all the votes for full back as one of the worst gave me a little confidence :) I have ~50 hours of work and am a longtime regular at Deluxe Tattoo (Ben Wahhh). My husband also has work from him. Maybe I'll convince him to register and post photos of his lower legs--they are amazing! We live in the western suburbs with four cats, a lot of aquariums and a horse at a boarding barn up the road. I write reports on laboratory work as my job and make jewelry as a hobby. I also enjoy running...I ran ultra-marathons in 2009-2010 but lately have focused more on horseback riding since my mare isn't getting any younger at age 21, and I want to enjoy the years I have with her. I also LOVE horror movies!!! Good, bad, everything in between. I hope this was enough of an intro! Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawk Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Hello backatcha homie. Absolutly certain Ben will make it smooth as silk and above all, women are tough! Tell Chris Smith that "Hawk" sez hi! When in the hands of a pro, things will be just fine. Nice hearin from ya! Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-44735 Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoryQ Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 I think sometimes it's good to go in expecting the worst... It would be worse to go in and realise that you understimated how sore it was going to be. Deluxe is a great shop, good bunch of artists. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-44746 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Chi in the house...welcome to LST, Homer. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-44753 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SStu Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 welcome! Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-44770 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 Thank you.... @hawk, I guess a part of the problem is who I want to tattoo my ribs--I want a realistic b/w portrait of a childhood cat, which is totally not Ben's style, so I need to find someone who specializes in this. So far the only person I have found that I would trust to do a good job is Tom Renshaw. And yes, I saw the joke about how Detroit hurts the worst :D RoryQ, yeah I made that mistake with my back tattoo. Did the whole outline in one sitting, then Ben started shading the lower center spine and I was dying inside. I had to call it quits after only 45 minutes of shading. From then on I went in expecting the worst on my back, and the sessions weren't as bad. RoryQ 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-44976 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SStu Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Miles at Deluxe does some pretty decent portrait work: { Miles Maniaci } Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-44980 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 Miles at Deluxe does some pretty decent portrait work:{ Miles Maniaci } Yeah, he does great work...but I have not seen many animal portraits from him. I am being extremely choosy about who does this particular tattoo, unfortunately. This cat meant the world to me and he will always have a special place in my heart, so I feel that I need to find someone with a lot of experience doing pet portraits. Hope that isn't too corny. SStu and Duffa 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-44982 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi Posted September 13, 2012 Author Share Posted September 13, 2012 Figured I would add a pic of the most recent piece finished. SStu 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45212 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnPorter Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 screw tattoos... what's your favorite horror movie? CultExciter 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45354 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Thank you.... @hawk, I guess a part of the problem is who I want to tattoo my ribs--I want a realistic b/w portrait of a childhood cat, which is totally not Ben's style, so I need to find someone who specializes in this. So far the only person I have found that I would trust to do a good job is Tom Renshaw. I don't know how realistic you want to go, or how possible travel is for you, but I LOVE Virginia Elwood's pet portraits. Examples here: Instagram photo by @virginiaelwood (Virginia Elwood) | Statigram Instagram photo by @virginiaelwood (Virginia Elwood) | Statigram Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45356 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi Posted September 15, 2012 Author Share Posted September 15, 2012 screw tattoos... what's your favorite horror movie? Technically sci-fi but my favorite movie, period, is Ridley Scott's Alien. After that, I love the 70s/80s classics--Jaws, The Exorcist (directors cut), The Thing, The Changeling, Amityville Horror, The Shining, and more. I prefer those over the old slashers, although those are fun too. For modern movies, I love Rob Zombie's movies, and think there are some wonderful foreign horror films these days. I also like good ole slashers such as the Saw series, but learned to not eat spaghetti while watching those. Spaghetti and slashers isn't a great combo. I could go on but...enough about me, how about you? Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45362 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogg Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 Welcome, @Heidi. Very nice intro! Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45376 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnPorter Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 Technically sci-fi but my favorite movie, period, is Ridley Scott's Alien. After that, I love the 70s/80s classics--Jaws, The Exorcist (directors cut), The Thing, The Changeling, Amityville Horror, The Shining, and more. I prefer those over the old slashers, although those are fun too. For modern movies, I love Rob Zombie's movies, and think there are some wonderful foreign horror films these days. I also like good ole slashers such as the Saw series, but learned to not eat spaghetti while watching those. Spaghetti and slashers isn't a great combo. I could go on but...enough about me, how about you? Good choices, all. And I always call ALIEN a 'haunted house' movie. The backdrop is space and sci-fi, but at it's heart.... its just a ghost movie. Perfection. Absolute favorite is Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I was lucky enough to watch it once WITH Tobe Hooper in attendance and my head almost exploded. After that- The Thing, The Shining, Exorcist (original cut) Suspiria, Inside.... Apparently Zombie's LORDS OF SALEM got picked up by Anchor Bay.... And welcome to the family. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45397 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi Posted September 18, 2012 Author Share Posted September 18, 2012 Good choices, all. And I always call ALIEN a 'haunted house' movie. The backdrop is space and sci-fi, but at it's heart.... its just a ghost movie. Perfection. Absolute favorite is Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I was lucky enough to watch it once WITH Tobe Hooper in attendance and my head almost exploded. After that- The Thing, The Shining, Exorcist (original cut) Suspiria, Inside.... Apparently Zombie's LORDS OF SALEM got picked up by Anchor Bay.... And welcome to the family. Oh yes, can't forget Texas Chainsaw Massacre....love that one as well. I love that whole 70s/80s period. It seems like most movies now just try to recreate or reinvent the wheel (the horror wheel in this instance). It's hard to find good ones, but it doesn't stop me from trying. And like I said, I even enjoy the very bad ones....including the ones that are purposefully bad (like Dead Alive--LOVE that one!) Good point about Alien--you're right. It feeds upon the unknown. I love the movie so much that I have an accurate/true-to-life tattoo of the queen fetus from the Alien 3 box art on my back. My parents allowed me to watch the original film when I was 7, 8 years old and it clearly stuck with me. The first movie I remember watching is the black and white version of The Blob with my mom and little brother. Yes, mom's movie choices rubbed off on me! I know some people hate them, but for modern movies, I also like the Paranormal Activity movies--the first in particular. But I have to confess that if I hadn't lived in a haunted apartment at one time, the movies wouldn't have the same feel for me....they are so much more believable with that experience under my belt. While we're at it, I'll throw out a few foreign horror flicks I liked...more modern ones anyway, haven't come across any old subtitled ones on Netflix yet. -Cold Fish (possibly one of the most disgusting movies I've ever seen--makes Saw look like Disney--but brilliantly done, really enjoyed it) -The Descent (UK but still counts!) -I Saw the Devil -REC (kinda like Quarantine but better IMO) -The Shrine I was trying to remember the names of a few others but can't....sadly I watch so many that I don't remember most of their titles :( Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45526 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 @Heidi...call Miles, honest. http://milesmaniaci.com/images/tatoos/dogarmmain.jpg Other than that, take a trip to Moscow and book Den Yakovlev-none better for picture perfect portraits, and the airfare is low these days. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45531 Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Flores Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Hannah Aitchison? She is probably booked up pretty far, but seen her do some pretty neat stuff on the realistic side and portrait work and just happens to work at the same shop. I know a fair amount of shops in Chicago but can't think of anyone of the top of my head other than those who have been mentioned. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45533 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi Posted September 19, 2012 Author Share Posted September 19, 2012 @Heidi...call Miles, honest.http://milesmaniaci.com/images/tatoos/dogarmmain.jpg Other than that, take a trip to Moscow and book Den Yakovlev-none better for picture perfect portraits, and the airfare is low these days. Heh, I'm being steered away from Detroit, ain't I?! - - - Updated - - - Hannah Aitchison? She is probably booked up pretty far, but seen her do some pretty neat stuff on the realistic side and portrait work and just happens to work at the same shop. I know a fair amount of shops in Chicago but can't think of anyone of the top of my head other than those who have been mentioned. I'll have to take another look at her portfolio to see what she can do. It's been a long time since I checked it. It would be convenient to go to the same shop....but I can tell you, it will be very WEIRD to be tattooed by someone besides Ben there! Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45580 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 Why go to De-Toilet when you can get what you want right here at home!?!?!?!?! Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45582 Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Flores Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 Heh, I'm being steered away from Detroit, ain't I?!- - - Updated - - - I'll have to take another look at her portfolio to see what she can do. It's been a long time since I checked it. It would be convenient to go to the same shop....but I can tell you, it will be very WEIRD to be tattooed by someone besides Ben there! It's weird to get tattooed by anyone when you think about it. Anytime I get tattooed outside of my shop or by a new person it's a little weird. I can totally understand people being faithful to their tattoo artist, and most of my tattoos are and will be from the same people, but with all the cool stuff out there I can't help but want to have some tattoos from other people. If you worried about Ben feeling weird about it, I wouldn't worry, the next best thing to getting tattooed by him is getting tattooed in his shop. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45611 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SStu Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 If you worried about Ben feeling weird about it, I wouldn't worry, the next best thing to getting tattooed by him is getting tattooed in his shop. On the other hand, now when I go back to a shop where 2 out of 3 artists have done work on me I can't help but wonder if the remaining artist is wondering if/why he isn't worthy (which he certainly is). That wouldn't be such an issue with a larger shop like Deluxe, I guess. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45613 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted September 19, 2012 Share Posted September 19, 2012 On the other hand, now when I go back to a shop where 2 out of 3 artists have done work on me I can't help but wonder if the remaining artist is wondering if/why he isn't worthy (which he certainly is). That wouldn't be such an issue with a larger shop like Deluxe, I guess. Ya kno, I've thought about that vis-a-vis CTC. I've sat for Nick Colella and watched Mario Desa, David McNair, Erik Gillespie, Mike Dalton, either drawing, tattooing, or just kicking it, and it's just like, damn! Any of these guys does absolutely world-class work, I sure hope they don't ever get the idea I'm dissing 'em by not having anyone else but Nick work on me. Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45615 Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Flores Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 On the other hand, now when I go back to a shop where 2 out of 3 artists have done work on me I can't help but wonder if the remaining artist is wondering if/why he isn't worthy (which he certainly is). That wouldn't be such an issue with a larger shop like Deluxe, I guess. I guess I was thinking more along the lines of he owns the shop so at the end of the day the shop makes money and your patronage still helps grow his business. You are pretty lucky if someone decides they want to get tattooed by someone else, but it still helps pay your light bill. Who knows maybe artistically is does bug some people in some situations, but it make so much business sense to encourage it, I think egos would have to just stay on the backburner. Dan S 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45659 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi Posted September 20, 2012 Author Share Posted September 20, 2012 I guess I was thinking more along the lines of he owns the shop so at the end of the day the shop makes money and your patronage still helps grow his business. You are pretty lucky if someone decides they want to get tattooed by someone else, but it still helps pay your light bill. Who knows maybe artistically is does bug some people in some situations, but it make so much business sense to encourage it, I think egos would have to just stay on the backburner. That's true--Ben will still get my patronage. I'll ask him about it at a later date. Not only do I love Ben's work, but I guess at this point he and I know each other well and work together well. I know his routine with tattooing and what to expect, and he's pretty much the same with me. Using someone new after being accustomed to the familiar can be a little jarring. In 2009 I used two different artists--Robin King at Metamorph to do a specialty cover-up/re-do tattoo and Cameron Sweet at Electric Ladyland in NOLA while on vacation, and I had to get accustomed to their mannerisms, routines, etc. Speaking of Nick Colella, he did my first-ever tattoo, in March 2002. Then I wrote about it on BMEzine.com and the next time I went into his shop, he mentioned that...I was thinking "shit, he read that?!" :o Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45680 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 Speaking of Nick Colella, he did my first-ever tattoo, in March 2002. Then I wrote about it on BMEzine.com and the next time I went into his shop, he mentioned that...I was thinking "shit, he read that?!" :o I don't think ol' boy forgets too much... Quote Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/2671-hello-from-chicagoland/#findComment-45683 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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