Icon Tattoo Reinvents Itself in Eliot

Melanie Nead is excited about a lot of things these days. Her new business, its new space, her women-dominated artist staff, an incoming mother lode of national geographic magazines, and future creepishly-lovely window displays. But, what's a nice girl with a degree in English Lit from Lewis and Clark doing in a place like this? THIS is not a Place. Like. This. It's an amazing space in a building that dates back to 1890, planted right in the middle of the Historic Davis Block in the original Eliot Neighborhood of Northeast Portland. And, yes, THIS SPACE is a tattoo parlor, but not like one you've ever experienced before.

Nead has been working for Icon Tattoo for ten years with owner Dustin Ranck. Until recently, the shop was housed on the second floor of an industrial building on SE 2nd and Main. A private, custom only designs, word of mouth kinda shop. Not skeezy, not sleazy. Typical of many tattoo artists, she trained at the shop, got licensed, built up her own customer base at a shop in Corvalis, and returned to Icon. She's known some of her clients for more than six years. Nead began managing the store a few years ago, and earlier this year she became Ranck's partner.

Ranck decided he no longer wanted to run the operation, so he offered it flat out to Nead. It was an opportunity she could not pass up. She's now one of perhaps only two women owned and operated tattoo parlors in Portland. (Yelp offers reviews of 79 establishments in Portland; there are certainly more.) "It's a male dominated field, for sure," Nead tells me, "but, we have evolved quite happily into a female dominated shop." In its current incarnation, Icon boasts six female and two male artists—again, quite different from almost any other shop around.

Eager to take on her new role of sole proprietor of the established Icon, Nead became even more thrilled when the Russell Street space opened up. "I just love beautiful things to connect to—decorative arts, textiles, fine sewing, lace making, typography, jewelry... people used to have a long, rich history of being connected to fine handicraft, and that's the aesthetic I want this shop to embody." Her aesthetic also, of course, translates to her view of the art of tattooing. "The best tattoo art should enhance and beautify the particular part of the body it's on, and truly be made just for that person, just that part of the body." This philosophy envelopes the entire shop. You'll see and feel it right as you enter the building.

Still setting up shop, though already open for appointments, Nead is doing just that: creating a signature space that delights. First, there are the original wood floors, newly polished. The walls are weathered brick, aged to perfection. Robin's eggshell blue walls enhance the already airy quality produced by the ample natural light streaming in from the front door and windows. And, then there are Nead's personal embellishments: Victorian era fixtures, mirrors, furniture, and vintage books spanning art, architecture, design—even the Time Life Nature Series and National Geographics that we all poured over as kids. It's quite a space—warm, open, inviting, which is exactly the sort of feel Nead wants clients to have when they visit. I don't wish to leave my perch at the front desk on the morning of my visit. Ever.

"We want to create a space that's accessible to anyone, everyone, even if they aren't here to get a tattoo." Plans for a small retail space in the front of the main room with jewelry, cards, and artist designed shirts, with ample seating for hanging out or reading a book are just some of the welcoming features Nead is in the process of designing. She also dreams for a moment of amazing window displays, holiday craft bazaars, art shows, pulled off only with a strong connection to her community. Almost all the business owners on this block have already come over to welcome Nead and her artists to the street. She hopes to collaborate with some of them for events and holiday fairs (perhaps, even, a haunted house party next month?).

Building community starts with her business philosophy and extends to the neighborhood. "We plan to train two people a year, and of course we will want our own apprentices to stay on and build up their custom clientele with Icon. We are all about building relationships and making connections... I realize we have landed in a traditionally diverse neighborhood and my hope is that we will connect with that element, but not replace anything. We're not new. We are part of the continuum." Nead also lives near and loves this historic Portland neighborhood and hopes to be able to give back, possibly by connecting with local non-profits via events and benefits. Her eyes sparkle as she smiles, and adds, a few times in the course of our conversation: "I'm lucky to be here. In this space, with this business, and with such amazing artists, with these neighbors."

Alena Chun is one such artist, who is inking the arm of a young guy at 10 a.m. Her designs are incredible. Detailed, skillfully executed, fresh, and unique for each of her clients. My pal Katie is having a multiple session tattoo of wildly colorful and intricate poppies inked to her shoulder and arm. It's beyond beautiful. Nead adds that her own work is steered by her "eye for beauty in all decoration, in commercial art, all forms that foster a sense of lavishness."

Many lavish finishing touches are being revealed in the shop this week, as the Icon team gears up for their grand re-opening party on Friday, September 25. Be there. This is one business bash you won't want to miss. There will be art and jewelry for sale, musical entertainment, a raffle, and handwriting analysis.

And, the collaboration has already begun. Pie Diner—part of the Russell Street Gallery and Pie Diner mother and daughter act—will be open during the Friday night gala, serving coffee and desserts. Pie Diner opened about six weeks ago, and is already seeing a steady lunch crowd from Widmer Brothers Brewing Company and some of the other businesses on and near the street. (Besides Widmer, NE Russell Street provides us with Mint, Wildroot, and McMenamins' White Eagle. Note: there's a building for sale next to Icon that has your name on it.)

Nick Fluge is the enigmatic entrepreneur who first concepted this space—art gallery in the front, small kitchen, counter, and pie display in the back, seating all around—old-time friend of Jackie and Aimee, the Pie Diner duo, who all worked together on the renovation. With an award-winning pie making family history, the Pie Diner serves light lunch fare, sweet and savory pie specials, and illy café. Remember to save room, there's pie while waiting your turn for handwriting analysis at the Icon bash next Friday.

View the slideshow for more images of Icon Tattoo or visit our Flickr gallery: