Zack has a big bold forearm tattoo:
I was born and raised here in Chicago, so it’s almost like it’s running through my veins/heart, hence the skyline in the heartbeat monitor. Im lucky enough to have a family friend that’s extremely talented when it comes to tattoos, his name is Kenny Buck. Also born and raised here :)
Sometimes I have to draw out people about what it is that they love about our city. Not Yuri—she hit me out of the gate with this great essay about our city:
Here is a picture of my Chicago Flag Tattoo!
Born and raised. Anyone who was born a Chicagoan knows, we have tough blood. We don’t break. My name is Yuri, I’m a 22 year old female.
You have great neighbors that stick together. You see all the local kids getting together to play kick ball in the middle of the one way street, or in the alley playing basketball ball with a net made of a milk crate.
Where the corn man comes around and all the kids taking change out of their sock.
When you’re a little older you get your bikes and race around the area cause your parents finally let you off the block. Having to be inside once the street lights came on.
Finally, you’re of drinking age. Going to all the big festivals downtown. Taste of Chicago, Blues Fest, Beer Fest, all the festival parades. Including celebrating our Chicago team winning!
Meeting up with family to go the zoo.
Going to the North Ave Beach, and meeting tons of people your age, playing football in the water, volleyball on the sand.
Bike riding down the Lake Shore Drive strip.
Crossing the street during rush hour.
Sitting in terrible traffic, cause everyone in Chicago thinks they are professional drivers. Which might be true. Hahaha
Eating Chicago stuffed pizza, or Chicago style hot dogs.
Maxing out at Jim’s Original, over by UIC.
The CTA, taking the Loop. The Orange line, meeting strange people. Knowing you’re getting closer to the city. Being able to see the sky line getting closer.
Taking the subway, and losing cell service, so you can’t help but stare at people or listen to their conversation.
Either you’re a CUBS fan or a Sox fan, you can’t be both…
And being a Bears fan, when they’re only good.
And of course we are all Hawks fans, even if you don’t like hockey, but we don’t talk about those fans…
Going to all the museums, relearning things you did when you were excited to go on a field trip back in middle school.
Going to local thrift stores and realizing, some of this stuff you want might be something you have already had and donated once.
Can’t forget about the “Willis Tower” which in my days, it was Sears Tower… but that’s none of my business. Hahahah
Oh, how could I forget… Chicago, the one place where get all four seasons in one day.
I should add a tag expat for the Chicagoans who get a Chicago flag tattoo to remember our city when they move away. That’s Shelley’s story, with a great Nelson Algren quote:
Moved to Portland, OR from our home town of Chicago. Needed to memorialize my love for our fair city! So I got this tattoo before leaving. The quote is from the Nelson Algren essay, Chicago: A City on the Make. The tattoo done by Robert at Native Soul Tattoo on 17th and Ashland.
Cesar is Chicago from the inside out! He says:
Well, I was born at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital near Humboldt Park in 1983.
My little sister passed away from breast cancer in 2015. The Chicago flag makes me think of all the good times spent with her.
Antonio Zavala in Elgin was the artist. He designed a custom piece for me.
When my barista has a single Chicago flag knuck, I have to ask for a photo. And I also entirely understand if they don’t have time for an interview.
Friend of the blog Stephanie Hoerner sent in this shot from what she described as a “Cubs fan on the Red Line” (it’s from last summer, which would explain short sleeves on the train).
Greg sent in his flag and skyline tattoo and explained his ex-pat tattoo:
Born and raised on Chicago’s south side. Moved after 31 years. Now living in Oklahoma for the last 7 years. But no matter where I live, Chicago will always be home. This is the start of what someday will be a half sleeve all about my beloved city.
The tattoo is by Archie at Poison Apple Tattoo in Ada, Oklahoma.
@chicagotats My homage to my hometown. pic.twitter.com/XHDYCTMOoO
— Vincent J Bifano (@FakeRegDunlop) February 15, 2016
@chicagotats I love my Chicago flag stars. pic.twitter.com/IOc82bwgzR
— Nicola (@DrNicki_c) January 28, 2016
So… my day job got a little busy… about a year ago… and so it’s been awhile since I’ve posted any new interviews and photos here. But a couple of news stories on DNAinfo and Chicagoist about a Chicago flag print that Nick Colella at Great Lakes Tattoo is selling have renewed some interest in the site. If nothing else, the Twitter account has a bunch of new followers. I’d hate to disappoint new readers, so I’m going back through some email submissions to them posted, and might even try and schedule an in-person interview (which was always my main focus for the site).
In any case, welcome! There are 66 interviews posted on the site already, so there’s plenty to read and look at enjoy. And if you have a Chicago tattoo and a story you think we should feature here, drop me a line—it’ll probably only take ame a year or so to get back to you.
