Hello everyone and welcome to my site! As by now you probably already know, my name is Chad Whitson and I'm an artist. I've been creating characters and trying to draw from life references for as long as I can remember. I couldn't imagine living a life filled with anything else but color and art. When I originally got into tattooing I had no clue the doors it would open. Or for that matter the relationships formed and people I would meet. It's been an amazing road of experiences, travel, and fun.
MY GOAL AND EXPECTATIONS:
I've become known over the last 16 yrs of tattooing for bright, bold colors. And for being able to take someone's idea and make it a reality. I love hearing clients say they wouldn't want anyone else to work on them. It assures me of the confidence they have in my work. I enjoy and prefer an illustrative, animated style where I can really let imagination play out. Animals, flowers, imaginary creatures from far off worlds are some of my favorite things to tattoo. I find it easiest and most productive when a client allows me freedom with the positioning, design flow, etc. When there are too many restrictions or set ideas the piece can't develop into a masterpiece. I genuinely want to do a great tattoo every time and know my reputation is linked to each piece. I want it to be something I would be proud to wear and show off myself.
It's best to have all your ideas written down or images saved to email me ahead of time. This can include location of where your wanting it, and a short explanation of meaning and or reason for the tattoo. It doesn't work when someone says, "just do something sweet, I trust you", I need a general direction to go. As in subject matter and or a theme. Be prepared with your thoughts and ideas so that we can be on the same page during your consultation.
RATES AND SETTING AN APPOINTMENT:
My hourly rate is 175$ an hour. Most appointments fall in a 3-4 block or an all day slot of 6-8 hours. This is what I choose to do for pieces that will require multiple sessions, so as to get as much accomplished as we can during your sitting. I'm booking 3-4 months in advance at this point to keep travel and guest spot options available throughout the year. (I can schedule your multiple appointments further than that if it helps to have all your dates set in advance.)
First, I prefer to have you contact me at the shop or via email to set up a consultation. I am in the studio Tues-Sat. 11AM - 7 PM. Consultations usually take 15-20 minutes. I have you come in to discuss your ideas, designs, placement, options, etc. If needed I take a tracing of the area to be tattooed, or of the previous tattoo we intend to cover. In some cases I will draw your design up near your appointment date. In other cases I makes stencils from images we agree on and place them individually to fit your body shape. Sometimes, I choose to draw the design on the skin with markers freehand and go from there. It's really all in what your tattoo requires and that can be discussed as well. During this time I also require a deposit for scheduling your appt. in the amount of one hour, 175$. The deposited hour goes towards your appointment. If your tattoo requires multiple sessions your deposit transfers to hold your future appointments and is credited towards your last session. I accept cash, debit, and credit. Personal checks are not accepted.
COVER UPS AND RESTORATIONS:
Cover ups have also become a large portion of my tattoo career. I've been able to make a lot of people very happy with what they have to wear for the rest of their life. Most people feeling very stuck with the tattoo they've worn for years. I've taken on some pretty hefty covers, and had to turn a few down. As cover ups became more of something I specialized in, the requests became a bit more absurd. A full color sleeve cannot be covered with another full color sleeve. That's just now how it works. Most of the covers I take on are aged, or so poorly done that they have faded. When it comes to solid new and old tattoos there are some that call for far too much compromise. Those are the pieces I usually try to direct towards laser treatments. You don't have to get the old piece to disappear. Only lighten it enough to cover with something rewarding to us both. This can sometimes be as simple as one or two sessions of laser. I've learned my lesson on trying to work over big dark pieces and I am very backed up with cover ups at this point in my career already. There are some exceptions to what is and what isn't possible.
DISCLAIMER:
I prefer to leave certain styles of tattooing to other artists that specialize in that area of work. Black and grey photorealism, sacred geometry, script lettering, and tribal are all styles that I could direct you to an artist that is more fitting for your needs.
YOUR EXPERIENCE:
When you step into Bearcat Tattoo Gallery you can feel the difference. We are all likeminded artist with the same goal to make your tattoo experience safe, clean and fun. We sell our original paintings and art on the gallery side of the studio. Along with reproduced prints that are great to collect or for gift ideas.
I recommend you eat before and bring a snack or candy, it helps. Also bring a book or headphones just in case you don't like our music selection that day. It's usually pretty diverse. Watching movies on your phone to iPad without headphones is a big no-no. It's very distracting and sometimes just rude to the other artists and clients. We are all very busy at Bearcat and book out in advance. That is a sign of demand. And we are all very blessed and grateful to be in demand and busy. Everyone is certified in Blood Borne Pathogens and basic first aid. Along with being licensed through California's finest city, San Diego.
Thanks for visiting the page. I hope it is informative and answers any questions you may have. I look forward to working with you and making a really cool piece of permanent art together!
Every September I book appointments back in the midwest between Toledo & Kalamazoo.
For questions and booking :
Bearcat Tattoo Gallery (619)-269-2979
chad_whitson@yahoo.com
MY GOAL AND EXPECTATIONS:
I've become known over the last 16 yrs of tattooing for bright, bold colors. And for being able to take someone's idea and make it a reality. I love hearing clients say they wouldn't want anyone else to work on them. It assures me of the confidence they have in my work. I enjoy and prefer an illustrative, animated style where I can really let imagination play out. Animals, flowers, imaginary creatures from far off worlds are some of my favorite things to tattoo. I find it easiest and most productive when a client allows me freedom with the positioning, design flow, etc. When there are too many restrictions or set ideas the piece can't develop into a masterpiece. I genuinely want to do a great tattoo every time and know my reputation is linked to each piece. I want it to be something I would be proud to wear and show off myself.
It's best to have all your ideas written down or images saved to email me ahead of time. This can include location of where your wanting it, and a short explanation of meaning and or reason for the tattoo. It doesn't work when someone says, "just do something sweet, I trust you", I need a general direction to go. As in subject matter and or a theme. Be prepared with your thoughts and ideas so that we can be on the same page during your consultation.
RATES AND SETTING AN APPOINTMENT:
My hourly rate is 175$ an hour. Most appointments fall in a 3-4 block or an all day slot of 6-8 hours. This is what I choose to do for pieces that will require multiple sessions, so as to get as much accomplished as we can during your sitting. I'm booking 3-4 months in advance at this point to keep travel and guest spot options available throughout the year. (I can schedule your multiple appointments further than that if it helps to have all your dates set in advance.)
First, I prefer to have you contact me at the shop or via email to set up a consultation. I am in the studio Tues-Sat. 11AM - 7 PM. Consultations usually take 15-20 minutes. I have you come in to discuss your ideas, designs, placement, options, etc. If needed I take a tracing of the area to be tattooed, or of the previous tattoo we intend to cover. In some cases I will draw your design up near your appointment date. In other cases I makes stencils from images we agree on and place them individually to fit your body shape. Sometimes, I choose to draw the design on the skin with markers freehand and go from there. It's really all in what your tattoo requires and that can be discussed as well. During this time I also require a deposit for scheduling your appt. in the amount of one hour, 175$. The deposited hour goes towards your appointment. If your tattoo requires multiple sessions your deposit transfers to hold your future appointments and is credited towards your last session. I accept cash, debit, and credit. Personal checks are not accepted.
COVER UPS AND RESTORATIONS:
Cover ups have also become a large portion of my tattoo career. I've been able to make a lot of people very happy with what they have to wear for the rest of their life. Most people feeling very stuck with the tattoo they've worn for years. I've taken on some pretty hefty covers, and had to turn a few down. As cover ups became more of something I specialized in, the requests became a bit more absurd. A full color sleeve cannot be covered with another full color sleeve. That's just now how it works. Most of the covers I take on are aged, or so poorly done that they have faded. When it comes to solid new and old tattoos there are some that call for far too much compromise. Those are the pieces I usually try to direct towards laser treatments. You don't have to get the old piece to disappear. Only lighten it enough to cover with something rewarding to us both. This can sometimes be as simple as one or two sessions of laser. I've learned my lesson on trying to work over big dark pieces and I am very backed up with cover ups at this point in my career already. There are some exceptions to what is and what isn't possible.
DISCLAIMER:
I prefer to leave certain styles of tattooing to other artists that specialize in that area of work. Black and grey photorealism, sacred geometry, script lettering, and tribal are all styles that I could direct you to an artist that is more fitting for your needs.
YOUR EXPERIENCE:
When you step into Bearcat Tattoo Gallery you can feel the difference. We are all likeminded artist with the same goal to make your tattoo experience safe, clean and fun. We sell our original paintings and art on the gallery side of the studio. Along with reproduced prints that are great to collect or for gift ideas.
I recommend you eat before and bring a snack or candy, it helps. Also bring a book or headphones just in case you don't like our music selection that day. It's usually pretty diverse. Watching movies on your phone to iPad without headphones is a big no-no. It's very distracting and sometimes just rude to the other artists and clients. We are all very busy at Bearcat and book out in advance. That is a sign of demand. And we are all very blessed and grateful to be in demand and busy. Everyone is certified in Blood Borne Pathogens and basic first aid. Along with being licensed through California's finest city, San Diego.
Thanks for visiting the page. I hope it is informative and answers any questions you may have. I look forward to working with you and making a really cool piece of permanent art together!
Every September I book appointments back in the midwest between Toledo & Kalamazoo.
For questions and booking :
Bearcat Tattoo Gallery (619)-269-2979
chad_whitson@yahoo.com