I've always wanted tattoos, and couldn't wait for the day I could get them. My parents told me I would be kicked out if I got any.. Of course that wasn't going to sop me, so on my 18th birthday I called around to a couple of shops that I was interested in going to, only to find out none of them were open. I called several more shops, all of them were closed too. So I finally got ahold of a shop that was open and headed straight over, not even knowing any of the artists there. The idea I had in my head was on my back, and it was going to look like my back was ripped open and there was a hall with a doorway at the end. Sort of showing that you have the capability to choose the right path with what's inside you (kind of corny i know)
At A Glance Author Jim Contact Jim@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Dan Plumley Studio Skin of a Different Color Location Aurora, Illinois A quick side note: I always read stories where people get bad tattoos and say that the studio and artist will remain nameless... I don't get that, I'd prefer people to know.
I was helped by Money Mike, and Eternal Flame in Aurora,IL. He drew up a design as I waited and while different from what I imagined, I still liked it and wanted to get it. I got it right in between my shoulder blades. The pain wasn't unbearable, but it definetely didn't tickle. Well about 3 hours later my tattoo was done, and it looked pretty good. There was exposed muscle tissue that looked all bloody, and the tunnel was dark and mysterious. I loved it and left the shop happy.
I got home and wasn't kicked out so three weeks later I headed back and got "Mom" and "Dad" hearts on my shoulders. Again, satisfied I left the shop.
Not long after, I started to see that my back was looking faded already. I called Money Mike, and he said come back and he would touch it up. A week or so later the fading had gotten worse. I was so dissappointed that I opted not to go back to Money Mike for fear of how it would turn out next time.
I will say however, that my hearts are still looking good.
People always ask how much my back cost and the normal response when I tell them is something along the lines of "WOW THATS CHEAP"... and for good reason. You get what you pay for. Now about 10 months later and keeping that in mind I decided to take on a side job painting an apartment complex to get some extra cash.
I spent tons of time looking at different artists from across the country. I figured if I'm going to go big I've got to spend the money to get it done right. I found several artists I liked, one of them being Dan Plumley. I loved his work and decided I would go to him. I looked into where he was located and it was Skin of a Different Color, Aurora, IL. About 20 minutes away from me and about 5 miles from where I got my first tattoos... I wish I had known that earlier.
I had spent a lot of time thinking about what I wanted and I decided on a tree with a bird flying past. The whole tattoo is dedicated to my dad and the tree is old and twisted, looking kind of beat up, but still standing strong. That is one of the main things I see in my dad. He has gone through a lot of shit in his life, but nothing has broken him yet and I do not see that happening anytime soon. The bird is a hawk, a bird of prey and I chose that because it shows to go out and grab what you want. Again, my dad has always shown this. If he wants something, he's going to do what he has to do to get it.
Anyways..
I went in to Skin of A Different Color to get a rough estimate, based off my idea. Dan gave me a quote and told me I could set up an appointment. I went to the counted and Kivaka helped me set up a time. I asked if I should come in early to see him draw or how they normally did it. He said just come at the time scheduled, and you will not be dissappointed.
My appointment came and I was excited for it, though I wondered how much it would hurt to get on my ribs, as im pretty damn skinny.
When I got there Dan was setting up and when he was ready he called me into the room and told me he would draw the design straight on my skin so it would be a true one of a kind tattoo. I was excited and layed down to get started, once he was done I got up and checked it out, and it was awesome. He told me that we were just going to do the outlines this session. Right before we got started a client of his came in and showed me her side she had done and told me that I shouldn't worry, that it doesn't hurt that bad.
Liar. That shit hurt. It wasn't to the point where I wanted to stop, but I definately was in pain. After about an hour the pain started to dull down (not the massage or the tickle that people claim happens) When we were nearing 2 hours all I was thinking was how much this was going to suck, considering all I was getting to that point was the linework. Soon after, Dan said we'd take a break and to check it out. Damn I was happy to stop. I got up and looked, and to my suprise there was a lot of color on my ribs. Dan then told me that he says he's only doing the outline so your happy when you see more than that done. It worked for me. I was happy as a pig in shit looking at what he had done, then he came back and said we'd sit for another half hour and we'd be done for the day. As soon as the needle hit my skin it was like starting at the begining again. Luckily I knew that I was almost done so I just sat and took it.
A week later my tattoo is healing nicely and looks amazing.
Dan's an amazing artist, and did a great job, I can't wait for my next session. Believe me, there will be many more to come.
I recomend DAN PLUMLEY, of SKIN OF A DIFFERENT COLOR, AURORA, IL, to ANYONE.