Yay! Guest post! Over Easter intrepid Wellingtonista, Hadyn Green, headed north to see friends and relatives and get ever closer to finishing his tattoo. This is his story…

For the last year I have been slowly completing a largish tattoo on my left arm and shoulder. It’s an Alphonse Mucha print taken from a Moet and Chandon ad.

Why are you getting all this information about my tattoo, here, on a blog about Auckland? Because each time I get a tattoo I eschew the wonderful parlours of Wellington and head north.

The Illicit Tattoo Studio on K Road has been around for a few years now. The legendary Adam Craft paired up with the clothing brand and the partnership seems to be going well. Although they are definitely separate entities, symbiotes if you will, this is why the Illicit store in Wellington didn’t come with a tattoo parlour, but why you can buy Illicit Tattoo tshirts there.

Illicit’s most famous son was the great Marty Emond (aka Marty Fuck). You know his art even if you don’t know his name. A large mural of his graced the walls of Pop Culture on High Street in the 90s and I believe it’s still there in Harlem Vintage today. His art also adorns the bodies of many people (including some famous ones, like Marilyn Manson). If you walk to the back of Illicit, before the parlour proper, you’ll find the flash room and you can see his famous manikin and tattoo flash. In fact I recommend a walk to the flash room anyway, it’s a very visual experience and they’ve got loads of photos.

At the counter (before the flash room) you should find a rack of books, these are the artists’ portfolios. So if you haven’t already decided on an artist (or don’t just want to take my advice, see below) then peruse and pick the person whose art you like the best.

The shop’s configuration has changed a bit since it was opened. My first tattoo there (some stars) was done behind the counter, roughly opposite where the changing rooms are now. I’m glad they expanded, as I’ll never forget the munter who leaned over the counter and tried to strike up a conversation with me (“so, does it hurt?”). There is no word yet on what will happen to the space (soon to be) vacated by Misery but I don’t think it’ll be a tattoo studio.

Last year Illicit expanded downstairs and now there is a nice space (well I like it) with air conditioning, a TV and DVD player, music and couches. And through a big iron door there is a Telecom exchange slowly irradiating tattooist and clients alike (and yet, no wifi).

My tattooist is Liesje and she comes with a big endorsement from me (all the pics in this post are hers). When asked for a bio Liesje said that she was raised by wolves on Skull Island and that her likes include: chipped nail polish, black jellybeans, wet warm tarmac, car dancing, Fulci, fingerwaves, Aye-Aye’s, night Jasmine and long walks on the beach…by herself. She also writes for The Tattooed Heart.

Liesje did my stars back in 2005 and then willingly undertook my vague idea for “some kind of cool art nouveau thing on my arm”. Originally it was going to be a circular portrait with intertwined flowers. After seeing the artwork Liesje said “let’s just do the whole thing”, “ok” I answered. “It’ll come down to about here” she said pointing to my arm about three inches below my elbow (and well below my ‘work safe’ shirt line), “ok” I answered.

See the thing about Illicit and it’s cadre of talented tattooists is that they are all experts. They know what looks good and (importantly) they know what will look bad and they are not afraid to tell you.

Of course talent isn’t cheap. Each tattooist has an hourly rate and if you’ve got a budget it might be best to ask beforehand. The larger the tattoo and the more intricate it is, the more likely that it will take longer or that you will need multiple sessions. Also tattoos that require the tattooist to draw anything need a consultation with the artist. That’ll set you back roughly $80 but it’s like a bond so you’ll get it back after the tat.

However, if you’ve got a whim to get a heart or a silver fern or some stars you can try your luck with a “walk in”. There is usually (though don’t quote me on that) someone who will be available for a quick 20 min tattoo.

[sidebar] Last year I was in hour number three of getting the outline done on my chest when a girl came in and got a simple heart outline on her back about the size of an old 50 cent piece, it took maybe 10mins after that she said in a loud voice: “that didn’t hurt I don’t know why people complain”. I had to laugh. [/sidebar]

The tattooists also know how to hurt you. So be nice to them. Koha is always accepted. I take lollies, (also for the blood sugar levels) but Dunkin’ Donuts are apparently the best.

Now I’m not saying that Illicit is the best tattoo place in all of Auckland (though it is the best I’ve been to), but like all art I know what I like, and I like Illicit.

And for the record, yes it does hurt (but not as much as you think).