2013

2013 has been an absolutely GREAT year!!! TONS of incredible tattoo projects, many new clients have crossed the threshold of the studio. I'm painting everyday, and finally things feel like they've fallen into place. All my hard work over the past 24 years has been paying off, I am in a position that I thought I would never reach. But, working my knuckles down to the bone, squaring my shoulders and pushing through all the bullshit has put me exactly where I want to be. The studio is going on it's 2nd year of being private and the environment I've created has allowed me to work in such a relaxing space, others would be jealous. My convention schedule is going to increase to include, Baltimore, Valley Forge and Cleveland, possibly Hell City as well. I'm excited to start traveling again but I'm not going to take myself away from the studio too much, I have too many projects that I work on every two weeks, it would be unfair to those clients.

All the great people I've met this year has truly made me feel blessed. Incredibly positive and motivational beings that have spurred on creativity for me. I've also had the opportunity to reconnect with old friends that have been truly supportive in my ever lasting journey for self improvement and exploration.

I'm happy to say that I am healthy, physically and emotionally, both Linda and I have taken this new road and have found a peaceful journey compared to the roller coaster of past years. We have built a loving family, a tattoo family. The Super Secret Tattoo Society (stickers coming soon) where we are free to be ourselves. We are grateful.

Bring on 2014 I'm ready and chomping at the bit!!! So excited and ready to share all the goodness with all of you. Even tho I'm still waiting for my jet pack and transporter, I feel this year is going to be even more exciting than the previous.

PEACE, LOVE, & MOTHERFUCKIN' TATTOOS!!!!!

Philly 2014

I am fully booked for the 2014 Philadelphia Tattoo Arts convention Jan.30-Feb2
Stay tuned for new shows I will be attending.

What's goin on

Every chance I get lately I have been painting my ass off...I'm absolutely amazed with the amount of inspiration I'm having working in a private setting. I've even started taking on commissioned pieces which is something I never had time to do. I've made myself an Etsy store as well to sell prints. http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChromeGardensArt

They're Glicee Signed and numbered
Printed on Archival 100% recycled bamboo
Pretty snazzy I must say and the color registry is PERFECT!!! I couldn't ask for anything better. It was one of the things I worried most about was the color correction, some places just don't get it right, but happy to say this place does.

So, I keep pushing forward as always, staying busy on all fronts which you all know makes me super happy. Taking on some incredible new clients with awesome concepts that are really fun to do. I have only a couple spots left for the Philadelphia show in 2014, so if any of you were considering making time with me I suggest you get in contact. I also just got an invite to do the Cleveland show in the summer, that's going to make my Ohio clients very very happy. I will keep everyone posted about my travel dates on my site http://www.tattoosbystacy.com

My birthday was just on the 18th and that was a total BLAST!!!! A group of us went to Morimoto's in Philly and ate decadently and drank to excess. I'd have to say it was the best birthday ever...but Linda keeps reminding me I always say that LOL I guess I'm one of those people who likes their birthday.

Sorry this isn't longer, but I think I've hit all the important points that I wanted to cover. I have a long day today, starting color on a full sleeve of a cherry blossom tree and koi. So, for now I'm out!!
Bundle up my lovelies it's getting cold!!

PEACE, LOVE & MOTHERFUCKIN' TATTOOS!!!!

Travel and Conventions

Hey my peeps some exciting news...so for a while there's been an over-whelming interest in my getting back on the convention circuit. People have been contacting me as well as long time clients inquiring if I'll do conventions again. Mmmmm and I've been scratching my chin at the idea... I gave up working conventions because it took too much time away from the studio and not having the right kind of staff to handle being alone in the studio made it near impossible for me to continue to do conventions. I am also blessed with clients who want huge work and traveled to me so that always keeps me tethered to the studio. So conventions were always such an inconvenience for me.

Now that I've gone private my life has become so much easier as well as less stressful which has opened me up to being able to schedule more travel time for conventions. My work load is still the same which keeps me busy but I have more opportunities now to have a more flexible schedule which makes me super excited!!!!

Not to worry, since I'm booked into January 2014 I'm not going on some long 6 month tour off to Europe, I'm easing myself back into things and starting with the Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention at the beginning of February. When it gets closer to the end of the year I should have the exact dates from the promoter. I'll have my chica Anya Gladun from The Body Gallery with me so we'll be hottest booth there LOL Then it will be onto some other East Coast shows and so on and so forth. I'm going to be picky and work the shows I use to do and possibly add some other ones that have a good vibe. I'll be adding a new page to the studio website and my personal site with all the shows and dates that I'll be doing. I don't want traveling to take away from my schedule at the studio so things will be well balanced to keep my on going large projects and long time clients a priority, they are the most important. However I'm opening myself up to people who are unable to travel to me or to get myself a little closer to those who do travel to come see me.

So, if you're interested in booking time with me for the Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention in February you can do so...but I would suggest not waiting too long because my peeps from Philly, Jersey and NY will pounce and they will get first dibs. http://www.chromegardens.com

Very exciting!!! I can't wait to see old friends!!! As well as get my toes back into the Circus of conventions.

 

"Storm" by Stacy McCleaf on Anya Gladun

 

 

 "Dragon & Phoenix" by Stacy McCleaf on Michele

PEACE, LOVE & MOTHER FUCKING TATTOOS!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

As of July 15th 2013 my studio has been successfully operating for 19 years!!! BOOOYAH!!!
It also marks the 1 year anniversary of the studio going private!! BLAM!!!
As you can tell I'm very excited and proud...it's been a long road, a bumpy road at times but never a boring one. Some people open studio after studio and never get it right...some people hop from studio to studio and never get it right. I think I've gotten it right, and the proof is in the pudding. I never walk around with my hand out, but I have given a hand up to many artists, some who have gone on to make this craft better and some who have become a down right embarrassment. My doors have been open to the best and sometimes the worst, but I don't regret a single moment because for me it's all lead me to where I am right now. And I'm still lovin' it!!! Every minute of it!! I've worked my ass off and now I get to enjoy it. So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHROME GARDENS!!! You're still my baby!!
Thanks to everyone who made my day yesterday special, thank you to all my clients and friends who wished me congratulations and much more success. There's so much more to come and I'm glad I'm here to share it with open eyes and a open heart.

 

 



PEACE, LOVE, & MOTHER FUCKIN' TATTOOS!!!

You can't see me!!

So...apparently I have become a non entity to Facebook, as of last night my personal page has been disabled, without notice or provocation. I dunno what's going on, they don't recognize me as a person LOL I've had a Facebook page since 2008, I have quite an extensive amount of photos as well as friends, including daily interaction on my page by people and of course myself. So, the geniuses at Facebook are requiring me to prove that I exist by providing my drivers license. I contacted them early this morning with all my important information...I'll provide my Passport if  need be LOL
They gave me a que reply that I would "receive an email shortly" that was 3 hours ago, apparently Facebook's timeline and the rest of the worlds timeline is quite different. I find this all too hilarious to be honest...I can still access my Studio page, which doesn't prevent me from being on Facebook, or posting to Facebook. We'll see what happens kids!!!


PEACE, LOVE, & MOTHERFUCKIN' TATTOOS!!!!!!

Coastal.com

YA KNOW I REALLY HATE WHEN I PLACE AN ORDER FOR SOMETHING THAT SAYS IS IN STOCK WHEN IN FACT IT'S NOT!!!!!!!! Update your websites better...losers!!!!!

Up and Running

READY, SET, GO!!!!
The new studio website is up and running, and I love it. It's simple to navigate, classy and is short an sweet without all the overwhelming gook you see on so many other tattoo studio websites.
Check it out...www.chromegardens.com

Staying busy with some really fun projects as usual, you all know that. Working on a lot of sleeves and chest plates...I have a feeling it's going to be the summer of sleeves...LOL
Also working on some groovy ribcage pieces, which I'm always excited to do. Geisha action, and some dragon action. As always you can see all my in progress shiztnits at my personal website. www.tattoosbystacy.com

On a different note I really want to focus on more traditional characters of Japanese mythology, Yokai, Tengu, Oni's and other yummy things like that...so put your thinking caps on people and come at me with some juicy subject matter.

The new studio TSHIRTS will be here next week!!! make sure you pre-order or reserve yours today cause these puppies are gonna fly out the door like the other ones did. $18, now that's pretty snazzy for a good price.

 
 

 

That's it for now kids!!!
PEACE, LOVE, & MOTHER FUCKING TATTOOS!!!!!!!!





 

Someone say...

let spring begin!!! Is that warm weather I feel?? THANK CHRIST TAFFY!!!!
YAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!

So, my website is no longer hosted by Tattoos.com after 14 years, I really started to feel it was a big waste of money. If you build a website and smart enough to know how to write your meta tag you don't need over priced, under appreciated hosting. Both the studio and my personal website was hosted by them and it's just not worth it. They don't keep their site up to date or gear it the people who pay them for their service. Damian is a great guy...but over the years Tattoos.com has become less and less of a priority for him and his staff.

So onto bigger and better things...Linda has been completely revamping the studio website as we do every so often and it's starting to look really cool!! My site is staying the same, the interface is easy and it allows me the freedom to do mobile uploads and all the geek junk.


Working hard as usual... Doing some really fun projects so go back to my website www.tattoosbystacy.com and go through my In Progress Gallery and "I-SPY" all sorts of yummy eye candy!!! This lil post was just a HI HOW THE HELL YA DOIN?!!! post and I'm gonna shove some food in my face before my next session.

 


















PEACE, LOVE, AND MOTHER FUCKING TATTOOS!!!!!

BLOGGER SUCKS

I had started a really great blog, but because the scripting on this damn site is sooo buggy it crashed and didn't save, and I'm over it. I may try later or may not. But I will try again in a couple days.
Sorry peeps!!

HELLO 2013

Well the world didn't end, and here we are in 2013...where's my jet pack?!!! We were promised jet packs and space travel to Mars by now...fuckin' liars!!! I hope everyone had enjoyable holidays, I'm glad they're over and life can return to normal. As normal as it can be for a woman who stares at peoples naked body parts all day and colors on them LOL

The year has started off with a bang of productivity, a lot of new projects. Leg sleeves, sleeves and back pieces, oh my LOL But honestly what a great start to the year.
http://www.tattoosbystacy.com Go to my In Progress gallery and take a look.

The proverbial question lately has been "why aren't you open to the public anymore" And here is the answer...because I don't have to be. Jan 11th 2013 will mark my 23rd year tattooing and my clients do not get small tattoos. If you know me and know my work then you know I focus on large scale body coverage concentrating on Japanese and Custom work. My schedule is booked out 4 to 6 months in advance, so for me to do someones name or tribal lower back piece is just foolish. I am constantly taking on new clients and new projects, so I'm not missing out on anything. There are plenty of places that have the time and the tattooists to do that caliber of work for people, but it's just not me.

Making the decision to go private was for me to focus more on my clients and the type of work I do, my days of doing 8 tattoos a day are over and have been for quite some time. In the past I would bring tattooist in to take walk-ins but 9 times out of 10 I was having to touch up their work, or deal with complaints from clients about their attitude or blah blah blah. Too much headache and drama for me, thanks.

My schedule is such that I have clients who travel from all over and sit for 6 to 7 hrs. in one day or I may have a day where I have two clients scheduled and each of them sit 3 to 3.5 hrs. a session. I've done my time doing small tattoos, I've done my time doing flash work, I've done my time of tattooing as many people as I can in one day...I've done my time and now it's time for me to enjoy the hard work that I've put into my craft.

I've never set out to be the biggest or busiest studio in the area, having a gang of other artist producing mediocre work out of my studio never interested me. I just don't have that level of testosterone. So, this is the reason why I am private and why my studio isn't open to the public, because I simply don't need nor want to be. I want to be right where I am doing large full body coverage and focusing on the type of tattooing I want to do.

There's the big mystery of why I'm not open to the public anymore...I'm not dying of cancer...I'm not going blind...I don't have crippling arthritis and I haven't stopped tattooing. There's a saying "If they're not talking about you, you're not doing it right" so I must be doing it right for so many people to be all up in my bizness, LOL

So for all my clients, and for all my new clients, take rest in knowing I am well and doing fine and as long as we know what's going on that's all that matters. I talk the talk and I walk the walk...

PEACE, LOVE, & MOTHER FUCKING TATTOOS!!!!