Groveland Twp.- Chuck Goodwin estimates he has given close to 10,000 tattoos in the past 10 years.
Goodwin, 40, has always enjoyed drawing and began inking his own skin, as well as that of friends, as a hobby. During the past four years, he has become more serious and is now pursuing a career in tattoo art. He recently set up shop inside Tranquility Spa, 250 N. Ortonville Road.
‘I get so much satisfaction from this,? Goodwin said. ‘Reputation is everything. If you’re good, people want you. My heart is really in this.?
The Brandon Township resident, who previously owned a tattoo shop in East Pointe, said he is a self-taught tattoo artist and has a body modification permit from Oakland County.
Goodwin said he has created thousands of his own designs and although he will tattoo flash designs (found online) if requested, he enjoys putting original designs on customers.
‘My favorite thing is when someone brings me an idea and I get to create a design for them,? he said. ‘I won’t do the same tattoo twice. A lot of people like to know they won’t run into someone with the same thing.?
Currently, Goodwin said butterfly and tribal designs seem to be the most popular. Customers also like to get names, but he tries to talk them out of it, unless it is their child or a memorial, because so often getting a tattoo of a significant other’s name is a jinx and they break up soon after.
Portrait tattoos are also gaining in popularity and Goodwin will accept a photo and then spend time drawing it for a few days getting used to the person’s face before finally tattooing it on a client’s skin. He adds that often it is hard to find a shop that will do portraits inexpensively, but he offers them at an affordable price.
The most popular location for tattoos are arms, shoulders and backs, while the least common location for a tattoo is the head. In Goodwin’s opinion, the most painful place to get a tattoo is near the armpit or ribcage.
The average tattoo takes Goodwin about two to two-and-a-half hours to put on, while more detailed or large tattoos can take four or five sessions.
‘It takes a long time, but I want customers happy,? he said. ‘I’m kind of a perfectionist.?
Goodwin usually has an initial consultation with clients, in which he asks what they like. Sometimes, he said, people just want a tattoo, but he feels a tattoo should have meaning.
‘They should put a lot of thought into what they want and where they want (the tattoo),? Goodwin said. ‘I can help with both. They will definitely get originality. If they have the slightest idea of what they want, I will come up with something they will love.?
Goodwin has flexible hours. For an appointment, call 248-627-5744.