‘Tats of Chicago’ — Tattoos from the Taste of Chicago
July 11, 2012 8:28PM
Ally Mond, 25, Bartender from Lakeview. What's your tattoo about? "I was born in the 1980s so the boombox is for that. The diamond is for 'Material Girl,' which I performed for my senior recital, and the polaroid is because I have a tremor condition, so I tell people I'm shaking 'like a polaroid picture,' like in the Outkast song." | Kim Janssen~Sun-Times
Article Extras
Updated: August 13, 2012 1:59PM
Call it the “Tats of Chicago.”
As the sun and the food comes out, necklines go down and sleeves disappear, revealing acres of inked, sunburnt skin.
Here’s a sample of the tattoos on display at the Taste of Chicago on Wednesday, and what the owners say their tattoos say about them.
• Ally Mond, 25, Lake View, bartender
“I was born in the 1980s so the boombox is for that. The diamond is for ‘Material Girl,’ which I performed for my senior recital, and the Polaroid is because I have a tremor condition, so I tell people I’m shaking ‘like a polaroid picture,’ like in the Outkast song.”
• Charles Dye, 32, Austin, Ford plant worker.
“I just love this city.”
• Ray Skoglund, 37, Beecher, air conditioning installer.
“I love medieval times. Both the era and the family dining experience.”
• Lynette Jones, 36, Englewood, nurse
“It’s a tribal tattoo. I’m just making a statement.”
• Briana Charles, 32, Blue Island, mom
“ I just always wanted one. I want more but I don’t to encourage my kids to get covered in them.”
• Brian Powers, 27, Jefferson Park, security
“I wanted something to remind me of all the stupid **** I did in college.”
• Sean Gore, 23, Bartlett, Marine
“That’s my whole life, man — no regrets.”
• Ken Westlander, 31, Jefferson Park, city worker.
“It’s a tribute to my grandfather, Glenn. He died of lung cancer from asbestos. He and my grandmother grew hibiscus in their garden in Santa Barbara.”
• Bob Esterly, 43, Lombard, retired mould maker
“It’s my wife, Sharon.”
• Steve Szilba, 30, South Loop, iron worker.
“It’s an eagle. It was a patriotic thing, I guess. I was gonna join the armed forces but then I got a full ride scholarship for wrestling, so that seemed like a better option.”
• Rich Swets, 39, Elgin, carpenter
“It’s a tiger. I got it to cover up the snake I had underneath. That one didn’t come out so well.”
• Pete Hernandez, 32, University Village, model
“I these in honor of my wife, Chelsea, and my 10-year-old daughter, Bella.”
• Heidi Soto, 21, Norridge, Navy
“It’s supposed to be a tribal heart. I just liked the way it looked. My friend drew it up and did it.”
