“So where do you get your tattoos???”
“This particular one? It was done at Revolution.”
“Like, the brewery?? They do tattoos too?”
“No. (sigh) Lemme ‘splain …”
Having been sitting for tattoos regularly since I was 18, I have to say that being asked “Where’d ya get it?” is second only to “Why’d ya get it?” When factoring in my changing cities, attending tattoo conventions, and trying out different artists on top of all that, suffice to say I’ve had a lot of different gloved hands on my body.
One of my favorite artists I see in Chicago, however, is Nole Schuyler at Revolution Tattoo & Art Gallery (2221 N Western Ave.). See? I told you it was not the brewery.
Nole recently added a shoulder/chest piece onto a right arm sleeve I’ve had in the works for almost a decade; he’s now the fifth person to work on it. Being needled over the course of 3+ hours, Nole put up with my grunts and groans like a pro—especially toward the end when he reached a part near my throat. Apparently I shot to the top of his running mental list of “Funniest Noises Made While Getting Tattooed.”
Owned by Omar Gutierrez (aka “oMs”) since it opened its doors in 2004, Revolution has distinguished itself from other tattoo shops by also curating regular art shows with its neighbors at Sideshow Gallery (2219 N Western Ave.), located right next door. Sideshow Gallery sells curiosities and occult items, and hosts other events such as art classes or Tarot, while rotating different work throughout the space. Plus, Cheri Basak, Sideshow’s owner, just so happens to be married to Omar, making this one heck of a family business.
Stop in and sit with any one of Revolution’s talented artists, and keep an eye on Sideshow Gallery’s next opening event: “Hung Out To Dry”, a collection of new and old work by print maker Tyler Krasowski, which opens Saturday, Jan. 31 at 7:00 pm and runs through the month of February. Sponsoring the event with beverages will be, and now here’s the kicker: Revolution Brewing (2323 N Milwaukee).
Visit Revolution Tattoo & Art Gallery’s website for more info on the shop and gallery space. Note: The artwork comprising the right arm sleeve featured in this article was collected from the illustration work of Aya T Sato, based in Seattle.
I love Revolution Tattoo & Sideshow! Both are such cool unique places. Awesome artists. Awesome vibes.