For what its worth - I signed up for Yelp solely to rate Ms. Mikki and Fortune Tattoo.
Realistically, getting a tattoo is already one of the most sincere and committed forms of support and appreciation a 'customer' can give to a business / vendor, etc. Having said that, Portland has an ample supply of tattoo shops and artists, many of which are likely very good. Getting a tattoo is common in Portland and many people can assume the role of pedestrian consumer just about anywhere and their loyalty is likely dependent on what they want to pay or how long they want to wait (for an appointment). Notice this does not address getting good work, plain and simple.
Over the past 20 years I have been to 5 different shops and had work done by 7 different artists. Ms. Mikki has completed cover-ups, touch-ups and new work on existing pieces for me for the past 7 or so years. She is competent, clean, approachable and consistent. Ms. Mikki does fantastic line work and her touch-ups have repaired some areas that did not heal well as well as brightened up areas that did not get fully expressed after the initial inking. As a side note, Ms. Mikki also expanded on some existing work for my wife, with great results.
I began a full back piece with Ms. Mikki earlier this year and have had six sessions so far. I sit for a few hours each time and I don't mind coming back in on a monthly basis. The back piece is somewhat intimidating to think about - it's a lot of skin and a huge commitment to time, money, care, PAIN, etc. However, I was thrilled to be able to work with Ms. Mikki on this project as the large area gave her the opportunity to layout and design her own art without limitations from other pre-existing pieces.
Now, I am not an artist and I am not a very visionary or creative thinker. I asked Ms. Mikki to create a piece with just a couple of core concepts and we got to work about 6 months ago. With the end of my back piece more in sight now than ever, I couldn't possibly be more thrilled. Ms. Mikki created an incredible scene (all black and gray) that is amazing with respect to the line work, shading, detail, concept, layout, etc. I am not one to show off my ink or have it be in your face - again, it's Portland and everyone has some. But my back looks so much better than just about any other tattoo I have seen. Since it's my skin, I can't think of anything more / better that I would want.
Having had tattoos for a long while now, this is the first time I have had deep pride in the work on my skin, at this level. I have a relationship with Ms. Mikki as my artist and I hope she is proud of the work she has done on me. The back piece is larger than I ever thought I would endeavor to complete / participate in. But, Ms. Mikki keeps me coming back with her consistent approachable attitude, her competent and confident handiwork and her reliability.
I could probably have gone somewhere and spent a couple less dollars, but this is not to knock what I pay my artist. I believe that you get what you pay for and when it comes to tattoos, cheaper is never better. So, considering that this is ART on my body (for the rest of my life) - I could have paid 5 times as much and I would still be getting a deal and would be happy. No one looks good with cheap work and a tattoo artist should be compensated well for the good work they do. (IF YOU DON'T TIP YOUR TATTOO ARTIST YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG!)
If you have a good relationship with an artist and consistently receive work you are happy with, you should be congratulated. If you want an artist that can give you the best artwork on your body, better than you imagined yourself, you need to check out Ms. Mikki and Fortune Tattoo. The work I have had Ms. Mikki do, and the work she is doing now, is better than anything else I could ever want. Couldn't be happier, and again, I am wearing it for the world to see - ain't a higher endorsement than that.
Hope you keep rocking, Mikki!
Thanks a million. read more