Artist Chris Palmer

We are honored to introduce you to one of Reno's toughest tattoo artists around. 

Chris Palmer is a man who has been faced with both tragedy and triumph in his life and he's handled both with tremendous courage.

In fact we would go so far as to say that he has handled triumph with humility and tragedy with grace. 

The traces of tragedy to triumph are trickled all throughout this mans life but especially this past year.

Chris and Kristine Palmer are a beautiful couple who are excited to welcome one of life's most precious moments. The birth of their newborn child is expected this March and while this is without a doubt a triumphant moment in life, tragedy was right around the corner  when this past summer, Chris was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer. 

For  most people this blow would stop them in their tracks but for Chris Palmer who has been tattooing skin for 14 years out of Sinful Skin, he's taking this news with a strength and courage that is truly inspiring and he's not about to stop tattooing.  In fact, talking with him recently, he has been more inspired than ever before.

He really is a man on a mission to tattoo until death does he part. 

(Photo of a tattoo on Chris's  arm that says, "Until Death" with an ink bottle)

 Chris Palmer's story starts stateside. Born in Provo, Utah to a large family, Chris moved around a lot. By 1^st grade, his family settled in Reno, and he has been here ever since. In high-school, Chris survived a trampoline accident that left him paralyzed and when faced with this first tragedy in life he didn't let it keep him down.  He did however realize that his physical activity would be limited, so he started his love affair with the world of art.

When Chris graduated from High school though he decided to get started on a degree in Chemistry at UNR. He already had 4 years under his academic belt when he got his first taste of tattooing.  A friend bought a tattoo kit and Chris offered up his skin for a piece of practice canvas. He was 21-years-old and when it didn’t turn out to be the greatest tattoo, Chris thought “I can do better than this!” After fooling around with the tattoo machine for awhile, he decided to leave UNR to pursue tattooing full-time.  

"I always wanted to be an artist, but tattooing was just cooler" Chris said. 

Chris bought the tattoo kit from his friend and tried it out on his own leg. When friends and family saw the quality of work Chris did from scratch, they asked him to work on them. At 22-years-old, Chris was hired to apprentice at Sinful Skin in Reno and after a month and a half, he was hired on as a full-time tattoo artist.  

Little did he know that after five years at Sinful Skin, he’d have an opportunity to become the owner. The shop was located off E Plumb lane and Chris worked hard to make it a great place to work.

 “I’m not a confrontational person, and my shop was always real stable,” Palmer said. “I only picked other artists that I had things in common with. We did have some terrible things happen with some of the artists, but for the most part there was no drama.” 

While his family was initially against the decision to leave school and pursue this profession, Chris says they came around. 

“All the artwork that I produced was something they were real proud about,” Palmer said. “It used to be, my dad would say ‘my son owns a business’ but now my parents say ‘my son owns a tattoo shop.'

"I think the bright colors and the art aspect of it changed their mind on what this industry is about.” 

Recently,  it is with a heavy heart the doors of Sinful Skin were closed so that Chris and his family can focus on getting better and welcoming this new addition to their family. It is the end of an era for the doors to close after 14 years of Chris's life being lived there.  Chris has always done very well in this profession and attributes it to loyal customers of Reno who spread the word.

 Like we said, he may have closed his shop, but he hasn't stopped tattooing. While Chris owned Sinful Skin, one of the artists who apprenticed there, Dustin George Brown, did really well for himself and started his own shop called Valor Tattoo behind Rapscallions. After being with Chris for six years, Chris was happy to see him do well for himself. Recently, Dustin invited Chris to come over and work his creative magic in a private room in the back. While Chris continues to tattoo out of Valor, he is also working hard to kick Cancer's ass!

When asked which tattoos have been the most challenging pieces to do, it was more about where the tattoo is desired versus what will go on the body.

"For me it’s really placement," Chris said, "The neck, the front torso, the belly are tough. As far as design goes, most of the time it's simple, but sometimes people bring you something that is too tight or tough to fit into what they want."

At his core, Chris is a cool cat. He's not going to cause trouble and wants no part of it. For this reason, he refuses to do any pieces that are gang related. His favorite pieces are realism, the neo-traditional, Sailor Jerry pieces, anything realistic and traditional with thick lines. 

One of Chris's  new favorite tattoo's is one his wife recently gave him.
Although Kristine is a graphic design artist, this was her first tattoo - the words "I love you" on his arm.
This is where we want a share their love story and because it all started out of a tattoo shop we feel like it fits!

When Chris first met Kristine, while working on her tattoo, he saw that she could hold her own when it came to conversations about art. For Kristine , who started out painting and drawing, she decided she wanted to get paid for it, and so she moved into graphic design as a profession. 

"We could talk about art and critique stuff together," Palmer said. "It was cool. I guess it was really fun to talk about things with her. She wasn't just like yah, that's great, she had things to say about the art too. So I did that whole stalker creep thing, I got her consent form and her number." Chris laughs as he retells the story.
"It's just interesting how it shifted, there's something about some people and there was just something about Kristine."  

After being together for about a year,  Chris and Kristine got married in the Virginia City graveyard on Halloween. They rented a house for family and friends to enjoy,  and they all came dressed up and went trick-or-treating in the city that night after their wedding. With their 10 year old daughter, Celeste, they are expecting a baby this March and have  decided to wait on finding out the sex of the baby, one of life's last known surprises. 

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Chris' favorite thing about being a tattoo artist is realizing that his work will live on past him.
He recommends to those who are looking to get their first tattoo that they should be comfortable with the artist. 

"Don't be impulsive" Chris said. "Find the right artist for you. What's a couple more days or a couple more hours." 

"So many young people that I'm tattooing right now, they will have these things that I created and made, traveling canvases." Chris said.  "You kind of forget the faces but you don't forget the tattoos." 

It has been really amazing how the tattoo community and really Reno at large has come to support Chris and Kristine during this time.

When owners of TNT Landscaping found out Chris didn't have insurance he hosted "Cards for Chris" at the Elks Lodge. People gave donations of all kinds for participants to win - everything from sub-machine guns and gift certificate. The 80 players who came together raised a lot of money with most of the items auctioning for about seven times what they were worth.
Another event is under way to help raise more money for Chris and his family by many of the local tattoo artist here in Reno. It is set to take place on May 9th, and as it gets closer we will have more details to follow!

For Chris, every day counts. And he's making the best of it.

"It makes you appreciate life so much more," Chris said. "You just try to live through life not doing any harm, not be judgmental, and to love everyone. My family and my wife are a huge thing that keep me going.  I’m glad when I come in and can say that I tried today and gave someone a cool tatt."
In his spare time, Chris likes to shoot. Although not a hunter, he has a gun collection and likes to mess around. He also loves to oil paint and draw.

Noël and Jen <3

Artist Jason Freeman

This past Friday we had the distinct pleasure of meeting one of Reno's long-standing tattoo artists,  Jason Freemon. The history he gave us on the face of tattooing in Reno was invaluable and we felt honored that he shared part of his story with us.

Immediately upon walking into Triumph Tattoo where Jason was the owner for three years, until handing it over to co-worker Tyler Lunt, Jason has definitely left his mark. With stencils hanging on the ceiling from several unique tattoos he's done over the years, to a rather large leather portfolio that sits on the coffee table out front, Jason's style and art are everywhere you look.

From the time he got his first tattoo when he was 14-years-old, Jason has made tattoing his life. Despite his dad's attempt to remove his first tattoo with lemon juice and brillo pad, the tattoo remained and so did his love for the art. Apparently, his brother  got the worst of it that night - OUCH!!

Originally from the Bay Area, Jason's first real job as a tattoo artist was in Santa Cruz at Curiousa Tattoo Shop that was once the comic book store on the movie Lost Boys.
Jason later moved to the Bay Area where he wound up buying and selling FTW Tattoo Parlor in Oakland before he moved to Reno in 2001.

This is not your sub-par tattooer people, Jason's work is bar-none some of the best in the business. As a full-time custom tattooer who specializes in traditional Americana and Japanese genres, Jason has been in Reno for 14 years and has quite a legacy in town.

Take for instance his attempt a few years ago to beat the Guinness Book of World Record's Most Tattoos in 24 Hours By A Single Artist. While Kat Von D may have brought to light the record, she was only able to do 400 tattoos and Jason came close to the current record holder, with a final total of 704 tattoos.  The record is currently held by Matt Geigamah of Salt and Light Tattoo in Chandler, Arizona with 811 tattoos. What makes Jason's attempt  even more unique is that he offered 11 different designs where others only offered one.

"It was a great event," Freeman said, "Unannounced to the general public, it was also a benefit for my good friend Kevin Cox of Aces Tattoo who was in an accident that left him partially paralyzed. I was able to raise $5,000 to donate to him in 24 hours, with the help of my staff and 35 volunteers. My face was focused on the tattoos and I never got a break but it was a great night with great people in a great city!"

After the event, Jason offered free touch ups on all tattoos done that day and if a customer wanted to add color or rework the tattoo into something different, he offered that for $20.

Freeman's work has traveled the world, with one piece in the Horiyoshi III Yokohama Tattoo Museum in Japan. With extensive knowledge and background in the industry, his work displays clean lines and classic bright, bold colors that distinctly define the styles.

 Although Freeman attributes some of  the boom in business to Kat Von D, he is not a fan.

"I think she has no respect for tattooing, she uses it as a hustle to make herself rich." Freeman said. In Freeman's mind, there's probably a better way to go about highlighting the business than the way her show does it.

The approach that fellow tattoo artists come into the business of tattooing is important to Freeman who spent time reaching out to Mayor Cashell at a time when Cashell first proposed a six-month moratorium on any new bars or tattoo shops in 2011 until stronger restrictions might be introduced.

"I'm not one for regulations," Freeman said, " Don't get me wrong. But when it comes to as many shops that we have in the area, something's got to give."

Freeman put together a proposal for Cashell that loosely outlined a way for the city to earn money with revenue from quality tattooers and hinder, even stop, the pop up tattoo shops from continuing to open doors for business. His proposal would basically grandfather in those shops already in operation but open the future of tattooing in Reno to an apprentice program and higher standards overall.

"Anyone can put up shop and anyone does," Freeman said, " Basically, I was trying to propose an apprentice system that would be licensed through the Health Department."

Although Freeman never heard back from the Mayor after several times contacting him, Freeman still believes that there should be some standards in the industry.

“Some people don’t really know what a good tattoo from a bad one is.” Jason said. “ What they should be asking a tattoo artist is how good is your work is, not how much it is.  Some people understand it but some people don’t. A lot of people just want a cheap tattoo but most people want the best for the cheapest and don’t understand it takes time and talent.” 

His most challenging tattoo of late was one he did recently of a Stephen Hawkings equation. Just the size of the numbers was difficult to do well on the wrist that was requested.

“I’d much rather do back pieces or any piece really.” Freeman said.

The only contest and award he’s ever gone out for, he won first place at the Salt Lake City Convention,  – 1^st place for full back pieces. 

What’s kept Freeman tattooing for 22 years is the freedom on the job and the people who have come into his life along the way. 

“I get to do what I want to do, I get to do my art," Jason said, " I’ve met all sorts of different people and I’ve been able to travel around the world with my art.”

Back in 2001 at a  Pittsburg convention, Freeman and Lee Hannah of Dixie Rose Shop met and started talking about Reno. At that time, there were only four tattoo shops in Reno including Body Graphics, Sting Ray, Aces, and Pirate. They began to formulate what is now known as the Lady Luck Convention.  

Freeman remembers when they had an art gallery of almost every painting in his book R.I.P at the first one. The convention was a hit from the first year it arrived in Reno and Freeman sold every painting in the gallery. Triumph Tattoo will have a booth again this year.  In regard to the Lady Luck Convention,  Freemans says, “It’s a fun place to hang out. If you really want to get a tattoo, this is a great chance to get tattooed. "

Besides keeping busy with tattooing, Freeman has written several books on the craft including R.I.P which is a compilation of artwork from tattooers around the United States and the pieces deal mainly with death, hence the title. He has also  written another series of IMagazines called Wolf Wizard which has a feature tattooer, tattoo model, subculture section and painting section.

This year, Freeman will have 50 art pieces in the new gallery that is now at Lasting Dose Tattoo (formerly known as Nightmare) the entire month of May so be sure to check that out.

Some of Freeman's many inspirations for artists include; Derek Noble, Richard Stell, Theo Mindel –  Uzi, and Josh Palmer.

Outside of tattooing on people, Jason likes to ride his motorcycles with friends down to Los Angeles or Mexico. He also has his tattoo books on Itunes and his Wolf Wizard series on Itunes as well. He has a 9 yr old son who is a "badass" and goes to conventions with him. 

If you are looking for a piece of history about the city of Reno as well as getting an amazing tattoo from a bit of legend then Freeman is your guy. 

You can find him at 

Triumph Tattoo
241 W. 2nd St.
Reno, NV 
775-323-1119 
12-1am


Jen and No..el <3

Artist Mike Curatello

A few Saturdays back, we had the pleasure of interviewing

Tattoo Artist Mike Curatello who recently became sole proprietor of Nightmare Studio in Reno (soon to be called Lasting Dose Tattoo). He was hard at work preparing for the expansion and Grand Opening set to take place sometime in January 2015.

Originally from New York, and fully representing some East Coast charm, Mike Curatello first apprenticed at a tattoo shop in Long Island, New York and then went onto to own East Coast tattoo for a year before moving to Reno in 2006.

When asked how Mike became a tattooer,

“I  just walked into a shop one day and asked for an apprenticeship,” Curatello said. “I was 17 years old and was apprenticing before I could even legally get my own first tattoo. It was an unorthodox shop.”

By the time he was 24 years old, he bought his first tattoo shop in New York, owned it for a year and sold it to move out west.

Invited by some friends to move to Reno, in 2006  he just packed it up with nothing to lose, and said goodbye to the East Coast.

Mike states that he has loved living here ever since.

"Reno being the biggest little city is perfect for me because it's still a city, but without all the big city issues."

 When Curatello first ventured west, he landed his first job in Reno at Battleborn Tattoo, where Archie Wood gave Curatello an opportunity to work for awhile until he figured out how to open his own tattoo shop with buddy Brandon.

 When he first started tattooing here in Reno he said there were only a handful of tattoo shops around.
Definitely not like it is now.
Yet even with the number of shops here now, Curatello says the tattoo culture is still not as saturated in Reno as it is in Long Island.

“It’s just a different vibe out here.  People are a bit more relaxed. I like the city life but I don’t like the suburbs.” Which is why Midtown is perfect for Curatello, who has lived in this part of town for six years, before it was even known as Midtown.

After working at Battleborn Tattoo, the first spot that Curatello and friend Brandon Collins rented was a space on the third floor of the old home above what is now Sundance Bookstore on California Avenue. Convinced the home is haunted, Curatello and Collins couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

When the Melting Pot moved from their location on 888 South Virginia street and the place became available, Curatello and Collins rented the space and had Nightmare Tattoo Shop up and running in three weeks.

The original 1,200 square foot space just around the corner from St. James Brasserie was built in the 1930’s and still has the old school brick appeal.

Things have grown considerably, which is why Nightmare’s currently undergoing an expansion. The new addition will give the shop 1,100 more square feet with 600 square feet dedicated to the use of an art gallery and art shows for local artists to promote their work.

(Some of Mike's artwork)

This expansion, which used to be the location of Barnes Radio Service, a sort of Best Buy service and hardware shop of it’s time, is likely to have been built in the 30’s as well.

Outside of knocking down walls and creating new space to grow, Curatello has still been keeping his customers happy with new tattoos everyday.

When asked if birds are his niche in the tattoo world, Curatello said,  “I just really enjoy doing birds. I wish I could own one but I have a cat who is a phenomenal hunter. I’m not a super sentimental guy. I guess I enjoy doing black and grey.  But Really, I just like to tattoo. “

While Curatello’s style has changed so much as an artist, which is an ongoing process, his decision to come west and start a shop has clearly been a good one. 

When asked if there are any tattoos he won’t do,

“Yes. As a tattooer I should do any of the tattoos that I’m asked, but I don’t like anything Swastika Nazi Propaganda. I’m just not about that.” Curatello said.

What does inspire Curatello are two artists he’s obsessed with right now. James Jean who did all the covers for the comic book Fables and his digital art.  Mike was stoked to order a super limited edition of one of his pieces as a Christmas present to himself. And Jeremy Geddes who is super surrealistic. One of his local inspirations are Bryce Chislom.

While the shop undergoes expansion into the suite next door, it’s also in the process of a name change that is set to go public at the beginning of the year.  It just felt right to change the name as the shop has grown and  will no longer just be a tattoo shop. Lasting Dose Tattoo is the new name that co-tattooist Tony Medellin first mentioned and was inspired by the band Crowbar’s song with that title.
The name just sort of stuck.

In addition to the art studio, Curatello will have seven tattooers ready to do your art work Reno. As a management style, Curatello likes to run his shop democratically.

“I’m nobody’s boss,” Curatello said. “We all have equal say. I don't like the boss title, I’m just not into that. "

In his spare time, you can find him at home with his Boston Terriers, Buford and Arya (the only thing he doesn’t hold against Boston), Curatello is a huge New York Yankee’s fan,  he enjoys painting, and playing Assassins Creed as well as all things from the Sci-Fi world.

You can find Mike at
Lasting Dose Tattoo
(soon to be formerly known as Nightmare Tattoo)

 at a few upcoming Tattoo Conventions;

Lady Luck- March 20th-22nd
Lady Luck Expo info

Silverstate – May 15-17^th
Silver State Tattoo info

and  you can contact him here
 Contact Mike at mcuratello@nightmarereno.com

Also you are invited to attend the grand opening party in January 2015 stay tuned for more details.


No dot dot el and Jen <3

Artist Chris Arredondo

Last Friday we were given the distinct pleasure of meeting local artist Chris Arredondo, tattooer for 13 years, who works out of 
 a bright blue and yellow trimmed older home on Wells at Absolute Tattoo.

The gypsy style atmosphere of the shop is not only one of an old school, traditional tattoo shop, but has a professional, artistic environment, where the guys enjoy working together to bring you great tattoos.

Driving up for the interview, we quickly realize the camaraderie that’s already alive on this very busy tattoo street.  Owner Mike Bolado greets us at the door and a fellow artist Danny Galecki, from Evolution Tattoo on Wells, rides up on his bike to let us know Chris should be inside.

When we sat down to talk with Chris,  our conversation began by a comment about the bright and whimsical atmosphere inside and out. 

”Stylistically, that’s how tattoo shops used to be,” Arredondo said, “We wanted a more traditional shop. Tattoo venues used to be found in old arcades with lots of bright lights, or near bright flashing colors in carnivals or in the back of circus tents.”

They have absolutely accomplished the style they were after in the decor, and in their fun vibe. From top to bottom the walls are covered with their artwork and sarcastic signs that draw you in. There's no mistaking you are in a colorful place to get some ink. 

Arredondo told us what drew him into the business of tattoos.

Not wanting to get stuck in the small mining town of Globe, Arizona where he grew up, Arredondo joined the military. When he came back from Germany, he realized he’d rather do anything than a traditional 9-5 job.

“They just don’t teach you how to get out of a small town when you’re a kid,” Arredondo said.

In 2001, Arredondo started as a professional tattooer. “I was inspired as a kid, seeing Punk Rock dudes in bands having tattoos. It made me want to get tattoos and I was into drawing and shit. So for me it was either Punk Rock or Art and I realized quickly that rock and roll was never going to pay my bills.”

Arredondo got his first tattoo when he was 16 years old.

“My friends and I made a homemade tattoo machine before we knew what we were doing and gave ourselves tattoos." Arredondo said. "And then of course we all got busted for having tattoos.” 

Although his first tattoo is now covered, he does have some significant tats including his wife’s name and a tribute to his daughter.

Drawn to the wild west culture of Reno, NV Arredondo was originally invited by a friend to tattoo at Dixie Rose where he quickly enjoyed the culture in Reno and it eventually convinced him to stay.

“ I liked that Reno was still the wild west, you could get out of control.” Arredondo said.

His favorite thing about being a tattoo artist is the freedom of not having to work a crummy job, with a shitty boss, or dressing up in a tux just to go to work. Waking up and doing something he loves is the best part of the job but tattooing is not as easy as people think.

 When asked which tattoo has been his favorite to do,

“They all are my favorite pieces and especially when they walk out of here happy,” Arredondo said, “I’m not really doing it for me. I’ll do paintings for me, but tattoos are for others. I want you to get a tattoo and be happy with it.”

 The practice of tattooing has changed, by the fact that many people aren't satisfied with the simplicity of a traditional tattoo, says Arredondo, and that can make his job tough.

“I don’t feel like you have to have something that’s so obscure,” Arredondo said. “It’s ok to be simple. You don’t have to have everything on it. It’s like people need instructions  now to describe the tattoo or a road map. People have lost track of tattoos and that tattoos can just be tattoos.”

While most people think that any idea they bring to the tattoo table is going to work well as a tattoo, this may not always be the case, says Arredondo.

 “There are times when I can tell it’s not going to turn out cool but I try and steer people toward the coolest version of what they want.” Arredondo said. “If I can’t figure out a way to take your idea and make it awesome, then there are other artists here in Reno that I know might do the job.  It’s the worst feeling when you don’t come to a solution with someone and you have to let them go. It’s kind of like a mini-break up…. Sorry it’s not you, it’s me.”

Arredondo has noticed business has changed since Reality TV shows like LA Ink where Kat drives up in a Bentley and people think anyone can do this and it’s easy money.

“The general public doesn’t understand that there are good and bad tattooers out there.” Arredondo said. “That’s what’s scary for people. You come into a business and you expect a certain level of quality and expertise.”

 Not every shop is going to provide that kind of quality and expertise, says Arredondo, so doing your research before getting something permanent is important.

Arredondo has been awarded Best Traditional and Best Color at a few conventions and in magazines. His niche is Americana, traditional American and Japanese tattoos, anything skull, eagle, panther, roses, knife, wolf. 

Inspired by Sailor Jerry, Mike Malone, Ed Hardy and Keith Underwood, there’s a long lineage of artists who have influenced  Arredondo.  He is also inspired daily by social media,  Instagram spots like “All Spit” and co-workers Joe Zeigler, Lucasz Zyntzer, and George Quick, where he’s worked the longest with Joe. 

 In his spare time, Arredondo likes to do anything outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. For Father’s Day, he just got a fly rig and is learning how to fly fish.

If you’re looking for an artist that has loads of street cred, flows in the traditional tattoos like it’s nobody’s business, with a great personality and one of the best beards in town, this is your guy.

Upcoming tattoo events that Chris and Absolute Tattoo will be participating in 
The Lady Luck Tattoo Convention at Circus Circus in March 
and of course you can find him at

Absolute Tattoo
M-Sat 12-9p
Sunday 12-7p
707 S. Wells Ave.

Reno, NV 89502

Tel: (775)324-2223

absolutetattooreno@gmail.com

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 No (dot dot) el and Jen <3

Reno Tattoo Mecca

(photo credit http://valortattoo.weebly.com/index.html)

Reno Tattoo Mecca webzine is a free-lance, non-biased, writing project that my sister and I have started to profile the wide variety of incredible artists and their clients who live in the Reno Nevada area.

We're sure you have heard it said that Reno has more Tattoo shops than ... Elvis has fans, Vegas has casinos, or Lake Tahoe has trees. The point we're trying to make is that in Midtown alone, you can find upwards of 6 or more tattoo shops within a one mile radius, each with unique artists who express their talents and personalities in dynamically different ways. 

We don't see this as a bad thing. In fact we would like Reno to be known as the Tattoo Mecca, hence our name. We are proud of the artists who choose Reno to express themselves. We want to share what makes your shop and your artists unique and tell your story.

Can we share your ink and the stories that bring them to life?

We realize in this industry you have to let the work speak for itself. What makes your work so unique is that you depend on your clients. As your canvas, they allow your artwork to become a conversation piece. 

(photo credit http://valortattoo.weebly.com/index.html)

Their stories behind your artwork intrigues us. 
We want to know what their ink further reveals.

The Biggest Little City has an appeal all it's own and YOU make up a very tangible part of that appeal. 
We want to partner with you to showcase the role you play when people experience the wonderful world of fresh ink here in Reno.

No(dot dot)el &  Jen