CherrieDragon Tattoos

Zombie boy, Catman, the Zebra, The Enigma and The Illustrated Lady.

They sound like names for some sideshow performers in an old time circus, but really they are the nickname/performance names of some of the most tattooed people on earth.

Most people don’t have any desire to have their faces tattooed much less their entire bodies, but for people like Julia Gnuse and Lucky Diamond Rich it’s a way of life.

As of right now Julia Gnuse is the world’s most tattooed women. The interesting thing is her tattoos are out of necessity. She suffers from a disease called Porphyria. It causes skin blisters and scaring. To combat this painful disease Julia began tattooing her body to help cover scars and to protect it. After 10 years she is now the world’s most tattooed women.


Then there is Lucky Diamond Rich. This Australian has spent over 1,000 hours being tattooed.  He first covered his body in colorful designs, then he decided he wanted to cover those in black, and now… He’s putting white over his black! He is the most tattooed person in the world.

All of this begs the question… How much is too much? Would you tattoo your face?  Your ass?  Your whole body?

What length would you go to feel good in your own skin?

Now don’t get me wrong I think all these people are cool in their own way, but I’m not running off to get Betty Boop inked on my eye lids.

And my Mom thinks I have to many tattoos- HA!!

I want to know where you draw the line. Tell me what you think and your comment may be featured on our Face book page, so use your best spelling:) .

Click here to comment
                     
                    * Get inked*
                      Cherrie Amies

Do you know what my favorite movie is?

It’s John Waters’ cult classic “Cry Baby”.

One of my favorite lines from that movie is when Cry Baby’s Grandma put her arm around him and says “This took a lotta hubcaps”.

Well that’s the way I feel about this blog but, instead of hubcaps its brain cells!

This blog took a lot of work, almost three months!!
I painstakingly went to shop after shop sometimes telling them why and sometimes as a patron.

While I’m confident I have put together an A++ list there is always someone who is going to be unhappy. So read and enjoy but take it all with a grain of salt…..

Denver is a great city we have mountains, city, country and sand dunes all in one place!

Unfortunately, Denver isn’t always seen as a cultural Mecca, but, oh how wrong they are! We are chalk full of amazing restaurants, clothing stores, art and tattooing!!!
We are seeing more and more beautiful works of body art and we here at CherrieDragon Tattoos wanted to share the best of the best with you. Aren’t we nice?

The following list is in no specific order. It’s a list of amazing artists who do amazing work. If you live in or plan on visiting Denver these are the places you should be going.

* The Blue Door

Broadway and Virginia Ave. 303-282-8290.

They do tattooing, henna and cosmetic tattooing and energy therapy. Have a great rep and a lot, I mean a lot of repeat business.


* Faith Tattoo Gallery 

809 13th street, Golden, Co 80401 303-287-2296.

One of the most amazing places I have ever been I can’t say enough good things!

* Ink Junkies Tattoo 

11651 west 64th Ave 720-335-6150.
Endorsed by the Tompkins, Cook, and Sherwood clan! A lot of impressive ink coming out of here!

* Jack of Diamonds.

7512 Grandview Ave Arvada 303-431-0924.

I heard a lot of good things and when I got a chance to go visit I understood why! Friendly people and some sick ink.


*Fallen Owl Tattoo

 Lakewood 8789 west Colfax 303-2321305.
One of those places that look iffy on the outside but is pumping out some kick ass work on the inside!

*Cold Needles  5830 west 38th Wheat Ridge 303-432-2534.

When I started asking random strangers on the street where they had their ink done this place kept popping up. They are tucked back in a shopping center in an older part of town and could easily be missed if you weren’t looking for it, but trust me, you should be looking for it.

*Tribal Rites

7735 west 92nd Ave Westminster.

Winner time and time again as one of the best shop in Denver. Go check them out or even read their ratings online. You’ll be as impressed as I was.


*  Bound by Design

One of Denver’s most established tattoo and piercing studios, and winner of ‘Best of Westword - Best Tattoo and Piercing Studio …

*Phantom 8 Tattoo
3969 south Broadway 303-762-0660 
Honestly I had never heard of them because I don’t get to Engelwood a whole lot, but once I heard about them and checked them out I was stuck by the sheer fun of the shop and hell even their website is kooky fun, but don’t think just because they are having fun they aren’t working hard. The work is great and the piercing ladies are very nice.

* Indelible Ink

6416 Ward Rd Arvada, CO 80004 303-421-2060

This one was added by CherrieDragon herself.  This is where she gets her tattoos.  Ross Dockter is amazing and does awesome coverups.  He did this work for her all of it free hand.  A friendly clean shop with a lot of talent.

Ink is a passion, and when you’re passionate about something you want share that love. That’s why we do what we do! We want our love for tattoos and this counter culture to seep from every nook and cranny of CherrieDragon Tattoos. If you live in Denver and have a great shop you think I missed feel free to let me know! If you live somewhere else and wanna show love for your shop I want to hear from you too! I’ll be more than happy to help you drum up love love love for your shop and artist!

Hey guess what? My next blog is going to be an interview with the freaking amazingly beautiful Betty Coupe! So y’all come back now ya hear?



*Get Inked*
  Miss Cherrie Amies

Okay ladies and gents I’m sure you have been chomping at the bit to see what I had to say about the last episode of Best Ink.

 Well the wait is over…..

 Alexis should have won plain and simple.

 As much as like London I found his work to lack depth. Alexis put her heart and soul into her work and in my opinion it showed. I’m glad john didn’t win, he needed more experience end of story. 

 I want tattoos from people who are warm and inviting and I don’t personally see that in London.

While I’ll admit his flash challenge work was good and involved mostly painting and drawing I don’t think it resonated into his tattoo art work. He really didn’t get a whole lot of face time as far as the show goes. Maybe that’s why I was more interested in Alexis who did. Or maybe it was his flat boring work.

 Margret Cho is kick ass final judge and I totally want to hang out with her! I don’t think they could have picked a better last guest judge, but I was kind of waiting for Kat Von D to pop out of the wood work. This show seemed like it would be right up her alley.

 All in all I was happy to see this show end. I want to watch real, raw and unbiased people and sense I’m never going to get that watching these stupid shows I’m just going to hang out in my local tattoo parlors and enjoy the real world. I know this blog was short and sweet, but honestly I couldn’t find a whole to say that I was happy with!!

 I know you’re on the verge of tears thinking that will be my last blog but fear not my tattooed friends I am now a permeate fixture here on CherrieDragon Tattoos.

Please come back and keep reading and enjoying and always feel free to comment. I’d like to know people are reading and I’m not just talking to myself!!

 *Get Inked*

 Miss Cherrie Amies

“I’m tired of having my art work judged by people who aren’t artists”.

Boy does that say a lot! The only judge who is an artist is Judge Joe. Sabina Kelly is a judge but not an artist and you should all know by now how I feel about Kimberly Caldwell.

This week’s flash challenge was to create a CD cover for singer Porcelain Black.

Okay first off I have no idea who that is and second off I don’t know if I want to listen to someone who describes their style as “Stripper Couture”.

None of the contestants did very good but Jon did the best. As usual the judges didn’t agree and London won. For winning he got one extra hour to finish his tattoo in the ink challenge.

Michael Jackson!
While I’m not a huge fan, but  the skins were big enough fans for both of us. Now if it was a tattoos of Garth Brooks I’d be all over it ;-)

All of the “Skins” had great ideas.
Jon’s skin wanted a day of the dead Michael Jackson.  Jon who was her artist wasn’t very happy and Judge Joe told him not to do it.  My husband and I both thought it would have been really cool but Jon didn’t.  He said “I hope my skin isn’t upset”.  Luckily she liked it but the question is: when does what the skin want stop being important and winning become the only thing that matters?

Charlie voiced her frustration about being judged by Joe “Eventhough we have different styles doesn’t mean my style is wrong”. I agree that the styles are different and it’s important to remember that especially when it comes to judging.

The guest judge was Jermaine Jackson older brother of Michael Jackson.

I didn’t like London’s Jesus inspired tattoo.

Alexis rocked it and I loved the work.

I was disappointed in Charlie and making excuses for her bad work.

Jon could have worked harder.

I really thought Alexis should of won and London should of went home but one more time I was wrong and London won while Charlie was sent home.

I was sad to see her go because I think she really does good work while London’s work isn’t very strong.

I think john could come out from behind and win this whole thing! Guess we will see!

Miss Cherrie Amies 

*Get Inked*

Miss Cherrie Amies  is having some internet issues so please forgive the lateness of this post.  thanks

Last episode before the final four are chosen!

Welcome back ladies and gents!

I really liked this episode cuz I love animals and the pink lady!

This week’s flash challenge the constantans were asked to design a boot with animal print.
Turns out this challenge is stupid and I don’t freakin care. I could have spent this time doing my dishes and saved the brain cells.
The contestants thought it was as stupid as I did. London did the best by far but Charlie won even though hers was a little boring.

The ink challenge was pet theme tattoos. I loved it! I love the animals and the turtle named Twinkie!
I should take this time to remind you about shelter animals. Adopt shelter an animal and save a life!

Okay back to it…

London got stuck with Kitty the pink lady. I love this crazy chick and her pink dog Kisses, and just in case you were wondering her dog is safely dyed with beet juice not fabric or hair dye. Her tattoo was the hardest to do because she really didn’t want any colors other than pink. Thankfully London talked her into some black for the outline.

Everyone worked really hard on this challenge.

Nicky could have used more time and thought in his tattoo. It was very blob like, and the judges noticed and he was sadly sent home.   Jon won, but I liked Alexis the best.  Everyone  at my house is rooting for Charlie to win!

Alexis

Jon’s

Be on the lookout for more blogs coming your way! 

Miss Cherrie Amies 

*Get Inked*

Welcome back ladies and gents!

 Six contestants left….

Alexis is kicking ass and taken names this week!

She first wins the flash challenge in which the contestants are asked to draw a portrait of show host Kimberly Caldwell. First she sat for them and was a terrible live model and then announces she is leaving and asks them to do the rest from memory.  Maybe he was feeling like I felt, like the whole thing was a waste of paper.

Portrait works proves hard for some and easy for others, and if you’re Kyle you just give up all together. He was giving off bad vibes I swear I could feel through my T.V.

After Alexis slams the competition and is rewarded by giving the only vote of the show this week. That means she is the only person with the power to vote for the bottom three. Then it’s time for the ink challenge.

This week’s challenge is to do a portrait of someone very close to the “skin”.

Some people like Alexis and Nicky were feeling fine about the challenge while Charlie cried and said she had never done this kind of work before.  She said it all when she said “I’m going to mark her for life and that’s not fair to her”. I agree 100% it’s not fair to ask her to do something that will be forever on this person and if it isn’t done right may tarnish this person’s memory.

Kyle gave devil may care attitude and it showed in his work. He said he didn’t care what judge Joe thought of his work and Judge Joe definitely tried to rip him a new one for being lazy and he was ultimately voted off because of it.

Charlie who was so scared she was going to mess up actually ended up doing the best, at least in my option, but the judges disagreed and Alexis won. I sadly thought her work was very distorted and made the girl appeared pig like and very fat.

Alexis won with this

 This is Charlie’s.  which do you think is better?

My question of the week is this:

The “skins go in knowing this is a competition and know that the artists are being judged. They see the artists not feeling confident about the work. They see them stressed when Joe comes around critiques their work. How does that make them feel? Does it make the whole ordeal of getting a tattoo even worse? I know that if I was getting a tattoo from someone who wasn’t confident in what they were doing I’d be scared as hell.

If the end result isn’t what they wanted does the show make the artist fix their work or are they compensated somehow for shitty work? If it’s bad are they going to be scarred for life and never get another tattoo? Everyone so far who has had a tattoo done on the show say they love it, but does the show ask them to say it so they don’t have to admit that this show is stupid and generally fucked up? Hmmmm…..Questions questions.

Well that’s all for now. Tune in next week for another recap and also check out our Birthday blog!

*Get Inked*

 Miss Cherrie Amies

 Happy birthday to us, happy birthday to us, happy birthday CherrieDragon!!!!!!!

 One year old is a big step.

 This is the time when babies are starting to walk point and have thoughts of their own. The same can be said for this lovely little website.

It’s now starting to gain a following and has over 5,000 visitors a day, not bad for a years time!

We stumbled when we first started, trying to find our place in the world, but then we got bigger.  Finally learned to pee in the big potty and now people know our name!  

For this blog I sat down with the founder of CherrieDragon and my fabulous Aunt Kim! 

She had a lot to say about our birthday and her love for all things tattoo. So kick back and enjoy while thinking about what to get us for a bday gift!

As Kim and I sat down to do this interview I viewed her not as my father’s sister (which she is). Or the person I sometimes get drunk and sing off-key karaoke with. Or even as a second mom (which she totally is), but as a writer, artist and blogger. It’s easy to see we are related. We look so much alike most people think she is my mom, but we are more a like because we share a love of writting, creating and of course tattoos. We both have a few. Some of hers dating back 20 years, mine only 4 years. While there may be a difference in age and tattoo styles we both share a common love of good tattoos and beautiful artistry. Tattoos run in our family, when you turn 18 someone’s getting you a tattoo. My Aunt, my Mom and my Dad all had their first tattoos at my grandparent’s kitchen table, thanks to their Dad, and my Dad took me to get my mine the day I turned 18. The love is deep in our veins! You’ll hear more about my Aunt’s first tattoo a little later.

Kim shines with the glow of someone who loves what they do. Her words are heartfelt and honest….

*Me: Why did you start Cherriedragon.com?

Kim: To share my love of “GOOD” tattoos with everybody.  There is nothing worse than a scratched tattoo.

*Me: What do you love about tattoos?

Kim:  I was having this conversation with a friend the other day and he said “Tattoos are like a time line of your life” I really liked that.  Even if the tattoo doesn’t have a deep meaning to the person they can still look at it and remember a specific time in their life.

*Me: What do tattoos represent for you? 

Kim: A way of expressing myself, to make what God gave me a little more beautiful.

*Me: What’s next for CherrieDragon?

Kim: I would like to see CherrieDragon Tattoos go in the direction of a more interactive page.  A place where people can find quality artist in their area and then proudly display the work they get done for the world to admire.

*Me: What other blogs do you do?

Kim:  In-Black-and-White - A collection of kick ass black and white photography.   http://www.tumblr.com/blog/inblack-n-white 

     Half the Woman - A health and weight loss blogs with recipes and exercise routines.  http://www.tumblr.com/blog/halfthewoman

Me: What your favorite tattoo on yourself?

Kim: The first tattoo I got is my favorite.  I got it when I was 17 almost 18 as a Birthday present from my Dad.  It’s a crystal ball with a rose inside; it was drawn by my older brother and tattooed by a friend of the family. She was a tattoo professional but she came to our house and did it at my kitchen table.  I have since added to it but the original tattoo is still there and always will be.

 Me: When did you start loving and wanting tattoos?

  Kim:   I can’t think of time when I didn’t love tattoos.

Did you think about what to get us for our birthday?

I know know what we want! We want you to follow us on Facebook, StumbleUpon,Pinterest,Twitter,Google + or what have you. You want the whole world to know how bad ass we are!

Also read my blog and share with everyone!

Thank you all so much for being a part of CherrieDragon Tattoos!

We do this all for you!!

Read view share and enjoy!

 Thank you to all our followers and supporters!

From all of us at Cherriedragon.com-

*Get Inked*

 Miss Cherrie Amies!

Sorry for the delay folks! Been having some technical difficulties!

Sooo is there something I dislike more than Best Ink?

Why yes, yes there is…

Their names are Dean McDermott and Tori Spelling. I find them both fake and well frankly annoying.

So I wasn’t too thrilled to see Dean as the reason behind this week’s flash challenge.

This week in the flash challenge the contestants were asked to come up with an end to end script piece representing McDermott and the love he has for his wife and family.

I was very happy to see everyone try their hardest. London did the best followed by Alexis whose work was totally bad ass. On the other hand Jessica and Nick didn’t do so great.

Actually Jessica’s work isn’t really that great. I think it is very childish and on the fly. Really, I find her very childish. I liked when Alexis called her a one upper. She always seems to be trying to be the center of attention even if that means crying.

This week’s ink challenge involved tattoo virgins and that says it all doesn’t it? People who have never been inked before were there to get tattoos to represent their best friends.

Judge Joe reminded them that they were the first people to touch these people with needles so they needed to be sensitive. The judge then threw them for a loop when they announced that the “Skins” best friends would be there to get matching or semi matching tattoos.

They were given four hours. At this point I think judging them is totally pointless.

Why judge them when they aren’t given adequate time to finish the tattoos? This isn’t what the artists signed up for a now we are hearing it more and more from them.

Alexis’s final tattoos were really nice. And she definitely has a chance of winning the competition.

The judges seemed to like John’s work and I couldn’t disagree more. I thought it was sloppy and badly planned out.

Once again Jessica was in the bottom and this time she received the axe. I’m just fine with that. She shouldn’t be tattooing in my opinion. It’s really getting down to the best.

More disaster next week from Best Ink and some other great blogs!

                                  *Get Inked*
                                   Miss Cherrie Amies

What’s your opinion?

Welcome back folks!

Let’s get right to it….

I’m not going to lie I spent half this episode holding my breath. It wasn’t the “flash” commemorative art challenge that had me holding my breath,  even though I was very impressed with the challengers personal art and use of flowers, well everyone but Roman that is. He didn’t even bother to finish his and bitched the whole time about how hot it was.

The funny thing about Roman is all he does is bitch. He is not coming off as a professional. He says he’s his own boss and tattoos what he wants, but does it really work like that? Is that really the attitude of an artist whos job is to tattoo what other people want on their body? I have more to say about him later.

During the challenge tensions were running high between the artisits. Jessica was reduced to tears…again. A few people were more interested in cutting one another down then doing what they needed. You can tell the pressure of the show is starting to get to them.

I was already nervous when I turned on the T.V. because I knew this weeks theme was commemorative tattoos.  In my mind commemorative tattoos are so scary  to have as a challenge piece. These are some of the most important tattoos people have done, and if they mess this up they can make someone’s pain even worse and no one wants that on their hands.

All the “skins” shared their stories and all of them were very sad. Some hit home for the challengers and viewers alike. This is where I started holding my breath praying these tattoos didn’t get F*ed up.

When that dame said they only had four hours I think I had a mini heartattack. They are getting less and less time for more intricate tattoos.

After all the consulting was done and the inking had begun judge Joe walked around critiquing the artists. I think this is stupid! He judges half finished pieces and shakes the confidence of the artist. I feel it’s totally counter productive. 


When it came time to judge the pieces and Aaron Carter walked out as the guest judge. Was I the only one going “Oh crap is this kid old enough to have tattoos?”

While all of the ink was good I was really glad to see Charlie win. Roman decided he wanted to go home and told everyone he was done and didn’t need any of this. Needless to say I was so pleased to see him go. I don’t feel like he’s a true artist in his soul.

You know it’s not the people on this show I have a problem with. It’s the premise of the show that’s a problem for me. It’s not an even kind close to  accurate representation of tattooing or the artists who are on the show. It just makes me feel like they are saying anyone can tattoo willy nilly.


Be on the lookout for next week’s blog and two other big blogs I have in the works!


                                  *Get Inked*
                                  - Miss Cherrie Amies

Welcome back ladies and gents!

First off I want to thank everyone who took the time to read my first blog! We got over 1,500 views, and well that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!!

Now let’s get back to the disaster known as Best Ink.

This week the contestants were asked to use vintage cars as the inspiration for airbrush body art.

“I don’t know anything about airbrushing the ink is totally different.”- Nicky

That pretty much sums up the way everyone is feeling about the challenge. I understand wanting the artists to flex their creative muscles, but some people weren’t happy with it. Charlie did the best as far as I’m concerned, but the judges didn’t agree and Roman won.

Roman, Roman, Roman, this guy is one of my least favorite people on the show.

In the ink challenge the artists were asked to work with a “skin” who wanted one of the most iconic tattoos - a pinup girl!  They immediately start working with one client on sketches and ideas.

Then that dame what’s her face…  I mean Kimberly Caldwell comes back and drops a bomb and asks each “skin” to move one booth to the left. This went about as well as I thought it would and people started freaking out.

Roman on the other hand was cool until his new “skin” started telling him in detail what she wanted.   He showed her his portfolio and said “Just let me do what I want”. When she said no he refused to tattoo her and she left in tears!

I get being an artist and having something you do really well, but you must also be flexible. You get to do the work but the client will be the one wearing it for the rest of their lives. He had to wait for another “skin” to come in, one who really didn’t care what he did.

When it was time for the judges to look at the finished work it was easy to see the time restrictions and stress are affecting the work these people are doing. Five hours is a long time if you’re watching a foreign language film or standing in line at the DMV, not so much for a tattoo that usually takes more than one sitting to finish.

After the judges ripped apart the finished ink and the contestants voted the bottom four. The judges sent Megan home, because even though her ink was good she put the tattoo on backwards….BACKWARDS! 

This makes me so sad. As a community people with tattoos, artist and tattoo supporters are looked down upon as trashy, thugs and generally bad people. This show is not helping perpetuate a good image for us. Shouldn’t we be showing off great responsible artists and the amazing works of art? This show is definitely not doing that. One good thing I can say is at least it’s not Bad Girls club!

Be on the lookout for my next three blogs which will be here in no time!


                        *Get Inked*
                              -Miss Cherrie Amies