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Skeleton Key Tattoo
Category: Beauty and Spas Tattoo Tattoo [Edit]
1729 Se Hawthorne BlvdPortland, OR 97214
Neighborhoods: Southeast Portland, Hosford-Abernathy
(503) 233-4292
- Hours:
Tue-Wed 11 am - 8 pm
Thu-Sat 11 am - 2 am
Sun 12 pm - 8 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
19 reviews for Skeleton Key Tattoo
19 reviews in English
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Review from Alaina J.
Burlington, VT
9/1/2011
I had a great experience at Skeleton Key.
Ximena guided me thoughtfully through the whole process. This was my first tattoo and I was thrilled about it. I had chosen a very detailed skeletal horse image, and am really pleased at everything from the placement and size to the detail of the shading, and precision. My horse nerd friends are very impressed by the detail and accuracy of the skeleton. I couldn't imagine being more excited than I was the moment I checked it out in the mirror at the shop but it has been growing on me every day!
Three cheers to Ximena's skills and the bright and styling Skeleton Key tattoo parlor on Hawthorne. -
Review from Teri S.
Portland, OR
1/4/2012
The shop was clean and the staff was friendly, but the particular artist who did my tattoo seemed reluctant to do it, and even though I came with a printout showing exactly what I wanted (a typographic tattoo in helvetica) he made some of the lines too long, making it no longer much like helvetica.
Admittedly, I was a walk-in(which they welcome), and the tattoo was inexpensive, and I should have picked up on the fact that since the artist was not comfortable doing the tattoo it might not come out so well.
I would not recommend this artist for anything requiring precision (a QR code, for instance), but if you wanted him to tattoo his own original cartoon design on you it's probably fine. -
Review from anthony g.
Portland, OR
8/13/2011
i'd been shopping around for a new tattoo, checking out different shops around portland, talking to the artists, checking their work out. i stopped by skeleton key as a fluke on my way back home from a day out. ximena (the owner) was in that afternoon, and we struck up a conversation for a while. she's one of the most friendly tattoo shop owners i've ever met, and after talking to her about tattoos, music and whatnot for a while, she recommended mark ledford for my tattoo.
mark is the newest addition to the shop (he's been working there for about 2 weeks now). i came in one evening and brought a couple of ideas of what i wanted (a black panther head w/ a third eye), and let him work out a design for the next time i came in. he was able to take my initial idea and extrapolate it in ways that i wouldn't have thought to. we also worked out some little details together and i had it done right there.
it was definitely one of the most pleasurable tattoo experiences i've ever had. mark is a friendly, down to earth guy and definitely made the entire experience one of the best ones i've ever had. the tattoo came out way better that i initially had in mind.
i can't say enough good things about skeleton key in general... amiable and extremely talented artists, a nice clean open space, no pretentious attitudes (like some other places in town). i'm already planning on have both mark and ximena do more work in the next few months. ximena took my initial idea for a chest piece and came up with new ideas right on the spot.
portland's full of great tattoo studios, but skeleton key is now definitely one of my faves. -
Review from Tony K.
Sacramento, CA
3/26/2011
Skeleton Key Tattoo is the absolute single best tattooing experience I have ever had in my life. Actually, it's the double best tattooing experience I've ever had in my life, since I got two tattoos on the insides of both arms at once. Painful, sure, but oh so worth it!
You never know what you're gonna get when you walk into a tattoo shop, but you're usually expecting some sort of jock n' roll attitude bullshit (never gets old, am I right?) I walked into Skeleton Key with my guard up and was instead greeted by what has to be the friendliest tattoo crew on this here planet Earth. Literally within seconds, I felt comfortable and at ease. And as luck would have it, a shared history with KDVS 90.3 FM in Davis, CA was my one degree of separation from Ximena, one of the shop's talented tattoo artists. I found my tribe, indeed.
When I presented what I wanted to get (a 60's music machine and an Adrian Tomine sketch), the reply was, "These are awesome!" Now I know what you're thinking: "Tattoo artists that don't ridicule the pieces you want to get?!? Wha' tha...?" Yep, it's true. A rarity for sure, but then again, Skeleton Key ain't your average Tattoo parlor. Nope. It's far, far better.
As for my tattoos? Absolutely great (thanks Chaz and Maki!) Better than great, actually. I seriously can't stop looking at them. The attention to detail on each of my pieces are impeccable. It's been three weeks now, and both pieces are healing perfectly. Next time I'm in town, I'm making an appointment to get another tattoo here, toot'sweet - and dropping off more home made mix CDs for the staff.
I love this place!
A nice, clean shop with a professional, talented and friendly artists. Yep, that just about sums Skeleton Key Tattoo up perfectly. You won't be disappointed, believe me. -
Review from Natalie W.
Portland, OR
3/31/2011
People ask me all the time if I have tattoos (it's because of the company I keep), and if not, why not? I was comfortable with my standard answer - that I didn't know of anything I'd want on my skin permanently, but if I did, well, we'll see, who knows, perhaps. I wasn't against the idea of getting a tattoo, but I wasn't going to go out of my way to come up with anything.
But then inspiration struck.
Tattoo inspiration had struck occasionally before, but interest tended to fade within an hour or a day. This one was different, though. This idea stuck with me for days and somehow it just felt... right.
I brought my design to Ximena (who has done amazing, amazing work on my boyfriend, which he'll yelp about soon, I hope); we discussed a few details, and we scheduled an appointment. Three weeks later, there I was. Ximena had everything set up, we determined a few more details, and she got to work. She was attentive and precise, it didn't hurt much, and the finished product is something I'm proud of.
As for the shop in general... Skeleton Key is bright and clean and friendly and wonderful in every way. The artists have portfolios up front to thumb through and lots of their own art on the wall. They're all really nice and amazingly professional.
Really, I could go on and on about how great Skeleton Key is, but I'll just get right to the point: Whether you're just in the abstract contemplation phase or you're actually planning out the details of getting a tattoo, come and check this place out. -
Review from Rachel C.
Portland, OR
5/17/2011
Skeleton Key is clean and friendly. Right in front, all four artists have portfolios of their work and business cards, and there is art all over the walls. They also have first Friday events, but I have yet to go to one.
I got my tattoo done by Ximena, and she was great. I stopped in with a friend who has gotten several tattoos done here and showed Ximena the design I wanted, she gave me a quote and we set up an appointment. She's very friendly and relaxed, and my tattoo turned out fantastic! She was also kind enough to quick touch up a tattoo from several years ago by another artist.
I would highly recommend stopping by!
*Cash only* -
Review from Lexie A.
Portland, OR
9/9/2011 1 photo
I went in yesterday to get a tattoo of the I Heart Oregon sticker on my left foot. I already had an outline of WA state on my left foot, but was poorly done by another tattoo shop. Maki was kind enough to take the time to fix my WA state tattoo to match the OR one he had just previously done. I am so happy with his work! He was very detail oriented and always made sure to ask what I thought. I would go back there again for sure! But i probably wouldn't get 2 feet tattoos in one setting again though! Can you say ouch? :] But the outcome was amazing! I can now represent my home states proud!
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Review from M. H.
Portland, OR
11/17/2010
Skeleton Key was bright and clean looking. The art on the walls was really cool and a nice change from walking into a tattoo place that has loads of flash on the walls. I got the impression that these guys are more into creating original pieces of art on the body than just reproducing some generic flash. Don't get me wrong I appreciate the EH look as much as anyone but I don't want to be beat over the head by it. The atmosphere is friendly and really open. The artists are really talented and each has their own style and I could see myself going back and getting different work by someone else. I really like Chaz 's floral work.
I am really picky about who I have tattoo me because of the lack of experience tattooing people of color. I've seen too many heavy handed hack jobs in black ink on my friends and family to let just anyone near me. I asked Levi what he knew about tattooing POC and he was really great about explaining his take on colors and pressure and healing time and what the skin does and how it reacts to certain colors. I was impressed.
I took my sister to get a Halloween tattoo during their special 31.00 deal on Halloween themed tats. We brought my mom too because she'd been threatening to get a belly button piercing and I was hoping to distract her from that.
Anyway, Levi, gave my sister this really cute owl tattoo and I guess my mom was so impressed with how easy it seemed to go and how well Levi explained what he was doing and why that she decided to get one as well. My mother is 62 and the fact that she wanted a tattoo surprised the hell out of me.
I took her back a day later and she got the same owl design on her shoulder. Levi was great. He talked her through the whole process, he explained everything he was doing and why, and generally kept up a steady stream of conversation that was part information and part standup. My mother was quite the trooper and though she said it hurt, she also said that he had a really gentle touch.
I wanted something cute and girly and he designed a ribbon tied in a bow. I initially wanted yellow but changed my mind to red. It was the best 2 hours I've had on a tattoo table in a long time. The man has a butterfly touch. Firm but not digging in. We hadn't planned on adding the color that day, just doing the outline and shading but it went so well that he just finished it.
The color was great it looked really bright and vibrant, even after the scab started coming off. I can't wait to get the other leg done. I would recommend Skeleton Key to all of my friends. -
Review from LISA S.
Portland, OR
3/25/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Are you there God? It's me, Lisa.
Thank you for putting Chaz on this earth. He Gave me a mindblowing tattoo, and I am stoked to get my next one from him in June. Go for the Uniporn, stay for the tattoo.
Thank you Chaz and Skeleton key. I am more of a badass because of you.Listed in: Ink-topia
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Review from Petra L.
Portland, OR
9/20/2009 ROTD 5/9/2010
If you're like me, you've been tattooed in a number of shops, ranging from the places that blast angry music and are filled with people who look like they might stab you at any minute, to the wonderful places like Skeleton Key where people are smiling, the personal art of the employees hangs on the wall, Johnny Cash is playing, the front door is propped open, and there's no flash to be found.
My first tattoo came from a mightily questionable place back in the underbelly of DC (which is thankfully now closed), another came from a place that I still believe was a front for a drug-running operation, and so on and so forth. My most recent piece (my seventh tattoo and sixth text piece) came from the glorious Chaz Vitale at Skeleton Key. We spoke on a Saturday and booked my appointment for the following Saturday - yesterday. The whole process was amazingly painless - Chaz has a light touch and an easy smile and made me feel right at home even while I was in the throes of my customary pre-tattoo jitters.
The tattoo itself is wonderful - he suggested that it wrap around my bicep which gives it a fantastic flow and more visual interest, and the lettering is crisp, clear, and beautiful. I knew I liked Chaz when he went to retouch the letters near my armpit and I didn't punch him. Getting tattooed near the pit is a special kind of pain reserved only for nightmares and revenge.
I've already informed him that he HAS to do my next piece (Audre Lorde) in a month or so. Getting tattooed here was a pleasure - an hour or so of laughs, warm air circulating through the building, and easy conversation with Chaz, my friend who accompanied me, and the other artist.
Make sure you check out Chaz's work hanging on the wall, too! A unicorn boning a cupcake! Superb!Listed in: Modified Style
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Review from Stephanie K.
Manhattan, NY
Go to the Skeleton Key immediately! Drop whatever you are doing and head there for not just a tattoo but an experience. Everybody who works there is amazing. They are all incredibly talented and just awesome people to talk to.
I came here yesterday looking for a place to tat me up. I knew this place would be f-ing amazeballs because of the previous Yelp review about Johnny Cash. And who doesn't love Johnny Cash while undergoing an excruciatingly painful tattoo?
So I came in talked to Maki (who I've developed a love/hate relationship with), showed him my pictures and he drew me up the tattoo. Incredibly helpful in making sure that the tattoo was what I wanted. Then he did his thing, and it was absolute perfection! Every time I get a tattoo I love it more than the last. I though Danny Ross in Phoenix was a great artist, but Maki absolutely kills it. The tattoo is gorgeous, and while I was cussing him out because of the pain, I wouldn't have anyone else tattoo me. He is my go to guy!
Much love to this whole shop. Ximena, Raven, Chaz, and of course my guy Maki. They let me rock out to Johnny Cash near the end and Raven joked about playing Jesus because she was sawing a piece of wood for their party that night. Love people who make Jesus jokes.
There is just too much to love about this place! The rocking music, the First Friday art/music shows that they put on, and the fact that they hate Ed Hardy douches. Oh, it's love!
Just remember to bring cash, as they don't take credit cards. And tip the artists well because they just inked something permanent on you and they bust their asses to make sure you love it. I love you Maki! -
Review from Anne C.
Portland, OR
1/12/2011
Me and my friend got matching tattoos from here. We are both covered, and have never had issues before. A week after the tattoo both were oozy and infected. They never healed right and we had to get blood work to make sure something else wasn't passed on. I have never had a infected tattoo before, and even have some from a basement. I don't even want to go back to get it fixed cause imagine that - it didn't heal right (and took 3 weeks to do so.) Never going back, ever.
Comment from Ximena Q. of Skeleton Key Tattoo 1/12/2011
I am sorry to hear your tattoo did not heal as it should.… More » -
Review from Heather R.
Seattle, WA
8/23/2009
So, I have utmost respect for Portland tattooing institutions. Where you book the consult out a month in advance and have your first appointment in five months, in between the people flying in to see your famous artist. It's wonderful that we have these places in town -- and it's wonderful that there's some hope of walking in once in awhile.
Skeleton Key isn't an Atlas or an Oddball, with a waiting list into next year and big huge names. But it's also not a cheap, flash all over the walls, skeezy place, either;. It's kind of perfect, for me: an unpretentious, artsy, communal space, tucked away on Hawthorne, with a bunch of diverse and talented artists working cooperatively together to do really great art. DZ worked on my text tattoo font and stencil for an hour-- twice the time he spent tattooing it on me. It looks beautiful and crisp. The environment is one of an art gallery, with all the tattoo artists working happily together, and selling their friends' painting and prints. The work on my arm is incredible. I have never seen such small, crisp text.
Lots of talent in the portfolios here. I think this place is destined for greatness. In which case, I'll probably be booking my consult six months out nonetheless. -
Review from Taylor B.
Portland, OR
5/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
I just got my tattoo done by Ximena and it was a really great experience. She was super nice, professional, and very un-intimidating. She had me watch while she cleaned everything so I would know it was sterile. I didn't have an appointment but Ximena was very accommodating. She was also very friendly and kept me and my friend amused during the process. The shop is really pleasant and comfortable inside and I really like that they participate in the Supportland program. Anyway I would definitely recommend this shop to anyone looking to get a tattoo.
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Review from Ava S.
Eugene, OR
4/7/2011
I have been getting work done by Ximena (the owner) for almost 4 years now and have been beyond happy with pieces I have (I've collected 5 pieces from her in that time) and I get compliments on them constantly.
Every time I go in, I marvel at the work of all of the artists there- she has really got an incredible team. Everyone is incredibly nice and extremely talented, but there is no air of pretension to be found, just a group of happy artists who are excited to share in a memorable moment of your life.
You won't find cheesy flash books, but rather the artists portfolios. Whenever I work with Ximena we always talk through my ideas and she gets back to me with a couple of drafts of the tattoo. She never lets me down, rather inevitably comes back at me with something better than I imagined. For my latest piece (a partial sleeve on the inside of my arm- I call it an arm-warmer) I just gave her two photographs of images I wanted incorporated and a vague description and the piece she came up with is not only beautiful, but perfectly stylized to me. Ximena is always awesome about making alterations to meet my desires and never makes me feel like I'm being a pain by requesting changes. (OMG, a shop that respects that it's YOUR body it's going to be on- how novel!) They also take your experience seriously by running a really professional and clean shop. I was joking around one of the last times I was in about how a tattoo shop is like a really happy hospital- it's all sterile and clean, people come to visit you while you're in there and you leave bandaged up. :)
While it's not a huge point of marketing for them, Ximena does do all vegan tattoos (inks, after care products, etc.) so it's great for the Portland vegan/vegetarian crowd. Plus, I love supporting a woman-owned shop that employs such genuinely cool people who are laid back and have excellent taste in music. -
Review from karin n.
Vancouver, WA
4/4/2010
Ximena is the awesomest!!!!!!!!! I was getting married last week, and as a surprise wedding gift to my husband, I wanted to have a tat done. I went to a shop here in Vancouver (who shall remain nameless) first to talk to them about doing it, and the artist was super snobby and very uninterested in what and why I wanted to have the tat I wanted done. All I can say is THANK GOD she was because that led me to Ximena!!!
OK..... so I have started this review several times, and nothing is coming out the way I want it to.... so I will be short & simple!
XIMENA ROCKS!!!!!!!! I wanted to have a devil/angel kitty tat done as a wedding gift for my then future husband. When I read Ximena's bio & saw her gallery, I knew she was the one I wanted to have do it and I was crossing my fingers she could squeeze me in on such short notice!!!!! Not only did she get me in for the tat, but she was genuinely excited about doing it!!!!!!
When I went in to get the tat, I was a bit nervous-it has been YEARS since my last, but she put me at ease. She chatted with me the entire time she was working which also put me at ease, and the next thing I knew, she was done!!!!! AND suprise!!!! it really hadn't hurt at all!!!!!!!
My tat came out exactly as I wanted it to and is beautiful!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!! My husband was thrilled when he saw it too!!!!!
All I can say is that she will be the ONLY tat artist I go to from now on!!!! I am going to get my husband into see her sometime in the near future and I am telling everyone I know about her as well!!!!!!!!
Thanks Ximena!!!! You are truly a gifted artist and I can't wait to come in again!!!!
oh yeah.... the shop itself was pretty groovy too. Clean and inviting and in a wonderful neighborhood!!!!!!!!!! -
Review from Lucy S.
Portland, OR
2/17/2010
This being my first tattoo, I was pretty nervous about finding a tattoo artist I was comfortable with and that would do good work.
I decided to take a walk down here and see if I could find someone to talk to. Raven was opening up that day and she immediately put me at ease with her friendly personality and enthusiasm. I gave her a vague idea of what I wanted and she did a great job of starting to put in her own ideas to really make the tattoo come together. We set a date for me to come in to take a look at what she had drawn up and a date for the tattoo.
A week later my husband and I came and I was totally impressed by what she had drawn up for me. It was way more than I could have imagined myself.
From the two sessions I've had so far, I would say that all the artists here seem just wonderful. They all seem to be very talented and love what they do, and they are all extremely easy to talk to. The atmosphere in this shop is great and laid-back.
I am so proud of my tattoo done by Raven and I highly recommend checking this place out if you are looking to get a tattoo done. -
Review from Daniel P.
Portland, OR
3/9/2010
I am by no means an expert on tattoos, but I do have six of them now and my last was done by Ximena.
I went to two other shops here in town and was dissapointed with the way I was treated at both of them.
Having never been to Skeleton key I was nervous about even checking it out, but once I got there and got the chance to talk to XImena and show her my design, I was hooked. She was really friendly and Maki was cool too! The place was clean and comfortable. There is awesome art on the walls and great music playing!
I was able to set an appointment only a week out and get exactly what I was looking for!
Ximena did an awesome job on my latest tattoo and she was super easy to hangout with while she was grinding a needle into my arm.
Good rates.
Friendly, talented staff.
Clean.
Great music.
Not pretentious!
THANK YOU!!! -
Review from anna S.
Portland, OR
9/7/2009
I can't say enough about my tattoo artist Chaz Vitale who works at Skeleton Key tattoo. He has worked on all of my tattoos of which I have about ten. From flowers to owls to sea life to line work; all of my tattoos by him are complimented by strangers constantly. His color work, gray-scale work and black line work are simply astounding. When I explain an idea of a tattoo I have he is able to artistically render what I am thinking. He also is able to make me feel very comfortable and safe when he is tattooing me in sensitive areas. Chaz has a very calm and gentle demeanor about him which extends to his work. Simply an amazing artist and tattooist! The shop itself is immaculate! So very, very clean and comforting. Although I have not personally had tattoos from the other artists at this shop, I have seen their work and it looks top notch. I would recommend this tattoo shop to anyone looking for a great tattoo experience.
