Revolution Tattoo

 

7

20

Julia H.

Chicago, IL

Love these guys!
First I went to a gallery show on Saturday night. So much fun! It was a monster theme and there were big wheel races, people in costumes, and really cool affordable art! My boyfriend bought two little pieces and I can't wait to have them home!
Then on Monday some coworkers were in town and we all decided to get lipstick kiss tattoos (we are makeup artists) and they made it happen! Cheri hooked us up with their newest addition- Chito- and he rocked! Everyone was so nice and the shop is beautiful.

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Elite '08

17

228

Gene W.

Chicago, IL

This review has nothing to do with tattoos.

The art that Revolution displays in their gallery is consistently engaging and interesting. The first opening I attended here was marvelous. A friend had invited me to see some of her work, so I figured, oh, I'll stop by for fifteen minutes, slam some pinot and be gone. Five hours later I was still staring at art, drinking wine and yakking it up with the plethora of interesting people. As opening parties go, the crowd was totally unpretentious and friendly, and Revolution kept the vibe going by providing all sorts of free booze and food, as well as some good tunes, live and otherwise.

I'm really looking forward to another opportunity to come by here for an opening. If the work at the next one I attend is even half as quality as the last, I may have to become a Revolution Groupie.

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35

19

Rosie V.

Chicago, IL

These days, tattoo parlors can swing rent by servicing suburban transplants, gangsta whiteboys, sorority chicks, & spring break PR majors w/ belly rings, low-back daisy chains, & butt-cheek Chinese symbols

Revolution is a local-loving art gallery that just happens to have talented artists in the house. Omar & Cheri host their shows like a housewarming. It's all, "So glad you came", "Food's in the kitchen", "Put the wine in the fridge". Rub elbows w/ hard-core tat fiends, yuppie gentrify-ers, trendy hipsters, alcoholic  24/7 Western Ave Drifter Guy, & the grateful 'hoodie who's been waiting for a place like this for the past 10 years

For showings, booze & food are there when you arrive. Don't be a glomming asshole. Cross the street, get a 12 pack, & justify your existence to this indie-owned spot. I love going to their openings, & I have some fading tats that they're dying to touch up. The beauty of it is that you meet the artist, see the work, they offer ideas, then they leave you the fuck alone. They have no desire to foist dubious ink upon you for the sake of padding a portfolio. They get the importance of a lifelong brand & they respect ambivalence by handing you a card, getting you a beer, & pointing out a piece in the "Glamourpuss Series"  that they think you'd dig

I think my ink out thoroughly. I wasn't prepared to commit, so I bought a 10 dollar t-shirt instead. I love the looks I get when I wear it since it resembles a Black Power symbol. I'm a latte-complexioned Germ/exican & I'm all about societal confusion

If you're an artist, stop in and see Cheri & Omar. Their choices for exhibits are heart-felt, not dollar-driven. If you're a tattoo vet, check out their books. The art here is more beautiful & realistic than alot of the flash purveyors & pierce-shop nonsense opportunists who roll their eyes, yet do the deed anyway...like whores

Sometimes, the difference between a booty call & a next day phone call is a kiss on the hand & a "thank you for coming"

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9

57

clara c.

Thousand Oaks, CA

Go see Om's!  Omar Gutierrez, that is.  He's professional, runs a very clean shop and he's an awesome artist!  He came up with the artwork for my piece after I gave him quick idea of what I wanted over the phone.  He worked on me for over 6 hours, without a complaint and in the end (at 11 PM) I had a beautiful piece of art on my side.  I couldn't be happier and if I'm ever back in Chi, I will probably see him for another tattoo.  

And you stop by the shop, don't forget to say "hi" to Karma, one of the sweetest doggies ever!

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7

123

Laura I.

Chicago, IL

I've gotten a couple tattoos from the guys here.  My first appointment with Omar coincided with the beginning of the largest snowstorm of last season.  The storm was hitting hard just as evening rush hour and my scheduled appointment was to begin.  Thankfully the shop was still up and running, even though afterwards, I had to have someone push my car back out onto the street.  At any rate, the whole shop has a very genuine mellow feel to it, which is very welcoming when other shops don't quite have that same easy-going feel.  All the guys do solid custom work so I don't necessarily recommend it for those people looking for just "flash" items.  These guys are talented artists; use their creativity in your favor!

Omar was very professional and acted much a perfectionist in order to get the lines and stencil just right.  (Always a welcome, as it'll be there for life!)  Over a year later, the tattoo has held up just fine with clean crisp lines and without any needs for touchups.  Another experience I had with them, I actually had their apprentice (not sure if he's still apprenticing there or not) named Marshall work on me.  That guy was extremely thorough and took his time like you would not believe but the end result was dead on.  He has, without a doubt, the lightest hand that has ever worked on me, but the color and lines still remain perfectly solid and crisp.  It's one of my most complimented tattoo works, which always makes me laugh inside because only I know it was done by a (talented) apprentice.

Oh and the dog at the shop, Karma, is just the sweetest thing there is!

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34

132

Sharlene K.

Chicago, IL

Wow. Seriously one of the most underrated shops in Chicago. Clean line central. Probably the most phenomenal thing is their tie to fine arts and it really shows in their work.

It's in the small details and that meticulously clean line work. When you see that, you know the person with the gun has a steady hand and thoughtful eye.

My ex-roommate who isn't the most immersed in art, tattoos, and tattoo culture still nonetheless wants an artistic and well-done tattoo. She goes in and says she wants a carrot and there's a lot of personal reasons for it. Omar's talking to her about the piece asking why she's getting it and basically doing the legwork so that when he puts it on her, it has a bit of him and all that she intended the tattoo to represent.

She goes back and gets the sickest tree tattoo I've ever seen. I've seen a lot and it's one of those tattoos that a tattooist can get lazy about because trees don't have clean lines and can look "sketchy" with downright haphazard line work. No, the branch he tattooed across her chest (it's huge), every line is intended and clean. Rather than play with shading, he used very specific line widths (even line widths) to play the illusion. The line work is so perfect that she opted not to color it in like she had originally planned.

Seriously, the sickest linework I've seen in a long time can be done here by Max.

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Elite '08

7

44

Rachel A.

Chicago, IL

Really neat shop with a very nice dog.

Other than that, there's not much to say.  As documented in my other yelp reviews, I've been looking for a new tattoo artist to no avail.  I don't think that Revolution is the place for me.

That being said; it might be the place for you!!

Omar worked with me a lazy late October afternoon.  We worked up some text for my arm.  He wasn't terribly friendly, but he wasn't rude.  Initially, he seemed almost irritated that I was there, like it was inconvenient, and he was trying to hurry the process pleasantly.  Towards the end he warmed up a little and we cracked a few jokes.  He was very professional and sympathetic towards the shitty tattoo from Tatu Tattoo.  He assured me that a) there would be no problems b) if there were problems he'd take care of them and c) he'd be happy to fix up any other crappy tattoos that I may have.

The tattoo itself is BEAUTIFUL.  Really crisp lines and an even fill.  It healed like a dream.  It's real tight lettering, fairly wordy to boot, and it only took about twenty minutes.  I gotta say, I'm pleased as punch.  I'm just looking for someone that I feel a connection with.

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1

1

Jane W.

IL

This tattoo/art gallery is beautiful.  
Omar and Karma were at the shop when I arrived for my appointment.  Karma is the shop pup and he is the most gentle dog I have ever met.  

Omar was very professional and my tattoo turned out amazing.  I brought in a Vince Ray piece that I love and had him add to the banner and change the colors to be more feminine.  The detail and color is beautiful.  I will be back...itch'n for more ink as we speak.

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0

5

jane w.

Chicago, IL

This tattoo/art gallery is beautiful.  
Omar and Karma were at the shop when I arrived for my appointment.  Karma is the shop pup and he is the most gentle dog I have ever met.  

Omar was very professional and my tattoo turned out amazing.  I brought in a Vince Ray piece that I love and had him add to the banner and change the colors to be more feminine.  The detail and color is beautiful.  I will be back...itch'n for more ink as we speak.

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