Featured Artist Dawn Grace - Tattoo Factory - Chicago, IL

Check out Dawn's tattoo gallery and see why she deserves a featured artist spot! Tattoos by Dawn Grace

Birthday: I was born 3 weeks late on April Fool's Day - no one ever forgets my birthday!
Marital Status: I am in a solid relationship with my best friend and partner in crime, Mitch. He plays guitar in a rock 'n roll band and shares my passion for thrift shopping and laying about in hammocks, eating soft cheeses, while drinking red wine. We laugh a lot!
Favorite Movie(s): I'm a film junkie, but my all-time favourite movies are This is Spinal Tap, The Party, Kama Sutra, Lawrence of Arabia, Blues Brothers, Slapshot, Arabian Nights, and Super Troopers.

Pets: I have two old kitties named Blackie and Jerry. They have me very well-trained in the ways of tuna delivery.
Favorite Music: The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Rolling Stones, The Who, Beach Boys, Gram Parsons, Burt Bacharach, Otis Redding (there's a million more, but that's a good cross section!
Favorite TV Show(s): CSI, CSI Vegas, Top Chef, No Reservations, and sadly, Rock of Love.
One Wish: If I were granted one wish, I would like a flying carpet so that I'd be able to travel to anywhere I'd like on a whim!

I moved to Atlanta from my hometown of Chicago in 1996 to serve a traditional, old school two-year apprenticeship with world famous Cap Szumski at Timeless Tattoo. I wanted to be taught by a true master of tattooing, and was beside myself when he agreed to teach me.

I stayed at Timeless Tattoo for another six years, forming solid relationships with coworkers, clients and friends, but the pull of sweet home Chicago was too strong to resist.

Tattoo Factory was the only place I wanted to work in the city, and was very happy when Paul offered me a shot. I'm still very happy here, and plan to remain here until I retire.

While in Atlanta, I labored hard to learn the intricacies of black & grey, and that style still remains my favourite. The subtle shading and sense of dimension really appeals to me. I'm notorious for doing extremely detailed work.

Lately, I have been in huge demand for my Mehndi (or Henna) inspired work, which is awesome. I really love drawing the flowing designs directly on my clients, thus insuring that no two are exactly alike.

Cap taught me to be very versatile, and to never pigeon-hole myself as "I only do this type of work." I do what my client wants, to the best of my abilities.

The tattooers that have inspired me the most are oddly enough, the ones who’ve been doing it the longest! Cap Szumski, Filip Leu, Greg Irons, Greg James, Jack Rudy…

I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. I love and appreciate all forms of art and expression. Artists whom I adore: Dismas Rotta, Joseph Cornell, Alphonse Mucha, all of my teachers past, present, and future!

When I’m not tattooing, I can be found cruising around town on one of my vintage Italian scooters, a 1961 Lambretta Series II TV175 named Sofia, and a 1980 Vespa P200 named Bella.

I am a devoted student at the Chicago Mosaic School and love to break glass. Mosaic art is very satisfying, gratifying, and oddly enough, soothing.

I’m truly blessed and honored that people want to get tattooed by me! I know that sounds corny, but it’s true.

Please contact me if you’d like to get work done~ I generally tattoo by appointment only, and am booked a month in advance these days!

Tattoo Factory
4441 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: 773-989-4077
Shop Website: www.tattoofactory.com
Personal Website: www.dawngrace.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/dawngrace

My advice for those who want to get tattooed: Do your research and find an artist who you feel will do a great job and treat you with compassion and dignity.

If you want a custom piece drawn, understand that no tattoo artist has mind reading abilities, so you should provide some reference material, and the more the better. Don’t steal photos of people’s tattoos.

It’s fine to use a picture of someone else’s tattoo for reference, as in, “I’d like something similar, yet different”. There are numerous tattoo design websites available with millions of drawings to choose from.

Tattoos are a unique form of self expression. Don’t you deserve to express yourself with your own design?

Any artist who was properly trained will be happy to draw whatever your heart desires, so do your homework and find the right match for you!