Tracey was lucky enough to have been interviewed a while ago by the wonderful local photographer (and friend) Liz Frias for her blog series on the Creative Natives of New Haven!

Check out the interview here:

http://elizabethfrias.blogspot.com/2011/04/creative-natives-tattoos-by-tracey.html

Ink It Over

Getting a tattoo is harrowing. Pain is a given, and so is permanence. Your body’s in someone else’s hands, and one of those hands holds a rapid-firing needle, just as often called a “gun.”

Lucky, then, that the people behind Lucky Soul Tattoo in Woodbridge have tried to eliminate as much anxiety from the process as possible. Tracey Rose, co-owner of the business with fellow tattoo artist Jim LoPresti, says getting a tattoo can be a surprisingly good time to talk, much like a visit to the hairdresser, but even more intimate. “It’s kind of like a therapy chair,” Rose says of the situation. “You learn so much about their lives.”The earlobe-disced, long-sideburned, righteously goateed LoPresti is chatty with clients as he works—“A lot of people say Jim is the nicest guy in the tattoo business,” Rose says—and part of the reason he opened his own shop was to create a space where the atmosphere was just as important as the artwork.“Making the customer comfortable kind of went by the wayside,” he said of places he’d worked previously. He first opened the business in Ansonia in 2001, moving to the current Woodbridge location in 2011, which is when he and Rose, who was once his apprentice, became business partners. Past a comfy waiting area with a self-serve coffee station is the studio where the Lucky’s five tattoo artists—Rose and Lopresti as well as Jeremy DeMayo, Dora Marie and Beth Potter—give skin the canvas treatment. The place is tattoos-only (no piercings, for example) and does almost all custom work, explains Rose, meaning you’ll probably walk out with an original. If a patron brings in a photo of someone else’s tattoo, Lucky’s artists won’t attempt to replicate it exactly, out of respect for the original artist, but they will work with the client to develop an idea along a similar theme. Some customers have a precise idea from the get-go, with a picture to work from; others need help defining the idea they have in mind. “We spend extra time so we can get someone’s vision” right, says Rose, who adds that she and other staff members are sometimes up until 2 a.m., working out drawings. As for the visions coming through the door, they’re impossible to predict. A tattoo can represent nearly anything, from memorializing the death of a loved one to an unforgettable vacation to an esoteric flight of fancy. Resulting tats range in size and visibility from modest to can’t-miss; larger body work, such as sleeves (tattoos encircling the arm) or back and chest pieces, especially with intricate color work, might take many sessions spaced over several months to complete. Pricing follows suit. While a small tattoo might cost $80, bigger projects will easily go for hundreds. LoPresti says Lucky Soul is named after an expression his dad, Andy LoPresti, used to use when individuals came into any fortune, large or small: “You lucky soul!” The humility of chalking good things up to luck translates into other areas; LoPresti says he’s surprised at how loyal some of Lucky Soul’s customers are, mentioning portraits of several customer’s children he did during the shop’s early days, only to have those very same children come in for their first tattoos once they turned 18. “We’re watching these people grow up,” he says of his customers. “It’s a really neat experience.” Rose agrees. Both she and LoPresti seem most animated when talking about the people they ink. “We have so much gratitude and love for our clients,” says Rose. “Without them we wouldn’t be doing what we do.”

Written and photographed by Cara McDonough.

Lucky Soul Tattoo

Location: 214 Amity Road, Ste A, Woodbridge (map) Hours: Tues-Sat 1-8pm Phone: (203) 397-5825 Website: www.luckysoultattoo.com

We are happy to announce that our friend Beth Potter, from Hobo’s Tattoo in Portsmouth New Hampshire, will be joining the crew here at Lucky Soul from October 23-26th.

Beth is not only a highly skilled artist, but also a wonderful person.  For those of you who know us well, you know the kind of folks we roll with, and Beth fits the Lucky Soul vibe to a ‘T’!  Gracious, kind, fun and talented! WHOOP!

Not only is this a great opportunity to collect work from an artist who doesn’t come around this way often, but this is also a great chance for those of you who have that new piece in mind but don’t always want to wait the occasional 2-4 months to get in the books here at Lucky Soul.

We anticipate Beth will be busy here at LST, so get in touch soon for more information and to book an appointment!

Best work can be viewed on her FaceBook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/betsy2shy

Or at the Hobo’s site:
http://hobostattoo.com/section/246634_Beth_Potter.html

Email us at:  luckysoultattoo@gmail.com
Call us at: 203-397-5825
OR just stop by anytime we’re open for a chat!  Tues-Sat, 1-8pm

Why should you get tattooed at Lucky Soul Tattoo?

Lucky Soul Tattoo has been in Connecticut since 2001, and our reputation speaks for itself.  We pride ourselves on being the friendliest shop around and do our best not only to provide our clients with tattoos that they will love, but also to make each client feel completely comfortable and at ease.  We like to consider our clients family, and you will feel the difference right when you enter our shop.  Too often we hear our clients complain about their experiences at other shops. They felt pushed aside, unimportant, or like a nuisance to the artist. We’ve heard clients complaining that the environments were unsettling, uncomfortable, or harsh. Rest assured you will never feel that here at Lucky Soul Tattoo. Not only will you be happy with your experience, but you will be happy with your new tattoo. We love our job, we love our shop, we love our clients – and it shows.

Lucky Soul is also one of the top-rated shops in Southern Connecticut, being voted Best Of New Have in the New Haven Advocate and on CTnow.com many times — most recently in 2014!

We are also the top-rated shop with our Health Department. We practice with the utmost concern for cleanliness and sterility. Our shop is clean through and through, and you can see it from the moment you walk in. We hold ourselves with pride – and it shows.

How old do you have to be to get tattooed at Lucky Soul?

Lucky Soul Tattoo does not tattoo people under the age of 18, even if they have parental consent. Until then, feel free to save your money so you can afford a great piece when you turn 18!

How much do tattoos cost? Is there a deposit?

Our shop minimum is $80, most pieces will exceed this price, however.  If you are looking to do a larger, more intricate tattoo, we do work by the hour, which means the prices vary greatly.  Some tattoos will only take a few hours; some can take multiple sittings. If you have questions about this, feel free to ask the shop manager or an available artist when you stop by.

Tattooing is a serious art form. In this business, “you get what you pay for.” If you are interested in getting quality work, you have to invest not only time, but money. The artist will work very hard to perfect your design and execute it. They spend many hours before your appointment finalizing the drawing and ideas, so keep in mind there is a lot of time put in ‘behind the scenes’ as well as actual execution of the final piece.

We do require a deposit. Depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo, the deposit will range from $60 to $120. This deposit secures your appointment, and will be taken off the last hour of your tattoo.
** THE FINE PRINT:  Deposits are refundable with two weeks notice of cancellation, meaning you can come in and get your money back. If you cancel with within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment (but less than 2 weeks) your deposit will be kept on file at the shop for a rescheduled appointment. If you cancel with anything less than 48 hours notice you will lose your deposit completely and a new deposit will be needed to make another appointment.

Do you take walk-in appointments? How do I make an appointment?

Some of our artists are booked for the next couple of weeks; some of our artists are booked for the next couple of months. Due to our artists’ busy schedules, we do not usually have time to accommodate walk-in tattoos. If our artists do have a cancellation, they tend to contact a client they are already working with and have them come in. (We do not have cancellation lists due to this reason.)

If you are interested in making an appointment at Lucky Soul, we ask that you come down to the shop. Due to the business of our artists, the sooner you come in, the better! We require a $60 to $120 deposit depending on the size and complexity of the tattoo. We can take the deposit in cash, or on card. We are no longer able to make appointments or take deposits over the phone, unless the client lives out of state.

Do I get a consultation?

This is up to your artist. They will decide if a consultation is necessary based on their availability and the size/complexity of the tattoo. With larger or more complex designs, often times the artist or manager will set you up with an appointment two weeks prior to your tattoo appointment.  This way they can get a chance to talk with you directly about your piece.

What do I need to do on the day of my appointment?

Everyone likes to prepare themselves differently before coming in to get tattooed. It’s not a great idea to drink heavily the night before your appointment. Having a hangover and getting tattooed is no fun. It’s also a good idea to get a good night’s sleep the night before. You should also eat a couple of hours before you come in. The healthier you eat, the better. Your blood sugar drops while getting tattooed, so eating beforehand helps keep it up. You should also stay hydrated before you come in — the more water you can drink the better!

Also try to limit the amount of people that you bring with you to your appointment. Our space is limited and only one of your companions will be able to sit with you while you get tattooed. Although we do like meeting new people and want you to have a good experience, this is not a hang-out session and friends can be distracting to the artists. Make a plan to meet your friends after and relive your experience with them.

This is my first tattoo, what is getting tattooed like?

First-time clients often ask this question, and it can be difficult to answer. The experience depends on the size and location of your tattoo. The tattooing process does involve pain, but it is not unbearable. (If it was, no one would get tattooed!) ; Some people compare the pain to a bad sunburn. Many people worry about the pain involved in the process of tattooing. Some think they should allow this to dictate their placement or sizing decisions.

If you are passionate about your tattoo idea, don’t let it dictate where you place it, or how large it will be. The pain is worth it to get the piece you want! Pain is temporary, but the art will last forever.

How do I care for my new tattoo? What does the healing process entail?

Here at Lucky Soul, we recommend you keep your new tattoo covered for a few hours – anywhere from 2-3 hours, or sometimes overnight. When you remove the bandage, wash your tattoo with mild soap and water. Only use your hands to lather your tattoo. Do not use a washcloth or anything abrasive to clean your new tattoo. It is OK to shower, and we recommend that you do – your friends and family will thank us for that! You can clean your tattoo while in the shower. We do recommend that you wash your tattoo three times a day when possible, and pat your tattoo dry with a clean towel – don’t rub! After the tattoo is dried apply a very thin coat of ointment – stressed, THIN coat – ointment should be just a bit tacky to the touch, not overly heavy or ‘gloppy’. We suggest you think of it as you would sunblock, apply the ointment and gently rub it into your skin. Do not overdo it, this can lead to clogged pores and slowed healing time. We suggest using Bacitracin, Aquaphor, or the natural healing ointment we carry in the shop. The ointment is only $6 a tub.

You should use the ointment for 3 days. After that it is time to switch to a lotion or skin cream that does not have heavy oil or scents– Cetaphil, Eucerin, or Lubriderm are good choices. Continue to use the lotion while the tattoo is healing.

The healing process usually takes two to three weeks. During that time you do not want to soak your tattoo.  So you should avoid baths, pools, Jacuzzis,  and oceans, and you also want to keep your tattoo out of direct sunlight. If you have a vacation planned, you should get your tattoo after you return.

Most tattoos scab a little bit. If this happens, do not pick at the tattoo. If you pull the skin off, you risk pulling the ink out of your skin. That means you will need a touch-up.

When your tattoo heals, it will be really itchy! Don’t scratch the actual tattoo! You can scratch around it, or you can slap it, to alleviate the itchiness  You can also apply some lotion, which will help with the itchiness.

We do our best to provide you with a great tattoo, we’d rather your tattoo heal great the first time, so please treat your new work with care.

What does the cover up process entail?

This depends on the tattoo you want to get covered up. If a tattoo is especially dark or large, it can be difficult to cover up. The smaller, lighter, or more faded the tattoo is, the easier it is to cover. In most cases, in order for a cover-up to be successful, the new tattoo must be larger than the existing tattoo. If you are interested in having an artist do a cover up for you, the best thing to do is come down to our shop. If an artist is available they can look at your tattoo and give you a few ideas about what your cover up will entail. Certain tattoos are better covered up with certain colors or designs, and they’ll let you in on that, too. It’s best to come in with a basic idea, but an open mind. In some instances, our artists will suggest that you get laser treatment on the tattoo. This will fade the tattoo and make it easier to cover.

Are there any types of skin you can’t tattoo?

It is rare that we come across someone whose skin is not able to be tattooed. There are, however, areas of the body that do not hold ink well, such as the inner lip, fingers, palms and sometimes the feet. In these cases your artist will recommend the best placement to help your skin hold ink the best. If you choose not to listen to our recommendation we cannot guarantee that your tattoo will heal properly, so please heed our warnings.

We often have clients who come in hoping to cover up a scar. When it comes down to covering scars or burns you will want to wait until the scar has healed past the ‘pink’ stage and turns lighter/whiter. A scar or burn usually takes about a year to heal before it is able to be tattooed. If you tattoo the injured skin before it’s ready, the skin could reject the ink.  So, it’s best to be patient. You can use vitamin E oil on the affected area to help the skin heal and prepare it to be tattooed. Sometimes people do have other skin issues, so if you are concerned with any issue at all, it’s best to speak with an artist directly.

Are there any tattoos that you would not recommend getting?

As stated above, there are certain areas of the body that do not hold ink well. It is very important to listen to your artist if they suggest that you don’t get tattooed on a particular part of the body. Also, certain designs do not lend themselves well to tattoos, and your artist will know best. If you leave our shop and go down the street asking for the same tattoo, odds are you will hear the same response. If you go down the street and they do the tattoo for you, and it heals like crap and looks just as bad as we said it would – there won’t be much we can do to help you at that point. We want to give you a tattoo that will look great forever, so the best thing to do is listen to our advice. You may not want to hear what we have to say, but we don’t give recommendations unless they are called for, so it’s best you listen to a professional.

You may also want to think about tattoo trends and give these types of tattoos some hefty thought.  Will you really want that dragon wrapped around an 8-ball with a tribal dagger in five years? Probably not. Give your tattoos some thought and get something that has meaning to you. For an example of ‘trending’, white tattoos are currently very popular. In most, if not all cases, white ink tattoos heal up to look like dirty skin and in the end are not very attractive. Typically it’s not a good look, and we don’t recommend doing it. (besides, the fad will be over soon, trust us!). If you insist, with certain limitation we will probably provide you with the tattoo – but we won’t be able to accommodate multiple touch-ups or re-colors when the tattoo heals exactly as we suggested it would.

All in all, come in with an idea that means something to you, and then listen to our ideas and recommendations. When you come in with an open mind you will get the best tattoo possible.

Is Lucky Soul Tattoo a clean environment? 

Lucky Soul is proud to say that we are one of the top-rated tattoo shops in Southern Connecticut, and it is for good reason. We hold sterility with the highest regard, and practice OSHA standards as well as Universal Precautions. Each of our artists are trained and well versed in the proper cleanliness techniques. We use hospital-grade equipment, and have an autoclave on site. Most of our equipment is single use. The equipment that isn’t is made of surgical steel and sterilized using the same procedure you would find in a surgical hospital. If you have any questions feel free to ask us about our practice and procedure, we would be happy to show you just what we do to keep both you, and ourselves, safe.