I had a full sleeve done by Vyvyn a few years ago. Â She took my ideas and reference art, and came up with a fantastic drawing. Â The end result was great, I get a lot of compliments on the finished work...3 stars because it took soooo looong to complete. Â In all fairness she told me from the beginning that she worked slow, but it took about 13-15 sittings, around 3 hours each to complete the work (with probably a normal amount of detail). Â
Environment was very welcoming and relaxed. Â The only downside was I felt like I was in Groundhog's Day every time I had an appointment. Â The women working there at the time had one topic of interest - 'how men (especially male tattoo artists) are intimidated by successful women'. Â Over the numerous sittings, I would say there were almost an equal number of male customers, so clearly a healthy segment of the male population was out looking for the best artist, unconcerned that they were female.
I have been in the market for a good tattoo parlor for quite some time. I currently don't have any tattoos and want to make sure I find "THEE" tattoo place. I walked in to this place with my husband with the hope of speaking with a tattoo artist about getting my first piece. I walked in and started to speak with the guy behind the counter. He asked me what I was wanting for a tattoo (I showed him: cherry blossom tree on my right side) and asked if I had any tattoos currently (no). He very rudely said, "Are you sure you want to do that? That's one of the most painful spots to get a tattoo (*chuckles*)". I'm not stupid: tattoos hurt and I guess I should be thankful that he let me know it was going to hurt but HELLO...that's already really obvious and I knew that going in to wanting a tattoo on my side. Anyway: keeping the review short...there are much better tattoo parlors in the area. Don't bother here.
Review Source:After having a horrible time with another tattoo shop in north Seattle, I listened to the recommendation of a friend and decided to try Madame Lazonga's near Pike Place Market. I decided to go with the artist John because I really liked the examples he had of futuristic work with robots. After talking with him, I liked him even more because he listened to my ideas and was just as excited as I was. Â I was also impressed by his fine art background. The process was pleasant -- as much as it can be to have a needle on your rib cage for several hours. I am very happy with the final result and would recommend John and this shop to anyone looking.
Finally, things that were important to me:
- He was always on time, and communicative
- The shop and the workers are clean and professional
- There was good energy in the shop
- He was able to take my idea and make it look better
- The price was fair
- Able to work on dark skin and not be weird about it
- Willing/able/capable to work on scars
- I got a free shirt
I got a small back tattoo embellished into a much larger piece here a couple of years ago, working with Vyvyn directly. I wanted bright color, which is what she is known for. I am an artist, I designed the work myself, talked with her about what I wanted multiple times, even brought the pencil work in as a reference.
The first session with her was outlining, which went fine. She then spent the first hour and 20 minutes of the coloring session filling the large circle in the center of my design with deep, dark blue color that was not supposed to be there. I still remember how my stomach dropped down to the floor when I stood up and looked in the mirror and saw what she'd done.
The communications that followed were great practice in patience and keeping my cool. As I recall, she said she somehow misunderstood what I wanted. Considering the drawing was sitting right there, and the piece was outlined on my back already, I really don't understand how that was the case. Never, ever, had we ever ever talked about filling with solid color.
Having already paid for her time, Vyvyn agreed to do an hour and 20 minutes of further coloring at no charge. Which I suppose is about the best you can offer when you've gone and fucked up someones deeply personal artwork.
She seemed a bit detached from the magnitude of her mistake, but did apologize and try to compensate for it, which I give credit as being the main reason why I am able to be measured even though I'm still pretty pissed off about it, 3 years later. It took a tremendous amount of trust for me to return to her, and I felt a bit foolish at the time, but I took her up on the 'free' coloring, and no other surprises came about. Whew.
The quality of the color and the tattooing is impressive, and I get compliments on the work because it's striking. I am not happy with my experience, however, and I do not recommend this shop because of it. Â I thought to review now that I am ready to start considering a coverup or further integration of the unwanted design element into the whole of my back piece, and finally get the coloring finished.
I will not be returning to this shop to have that done.
I think it's important to note that, as far as my experience, if your goal is to allow the tattoo artist to do whatever they want, you'll probably do well here.
John LeRoux is an artist there that is currently working his magic on my arm.
I had researched tattoo artists forever, and when John showed me his drawing (based on my ideas) I was stoked!
I regularly get compliments an my sleeve (not that it matters as long as I like it).
He's priced well, talented, and super nice!
If you want a tattoo, go see John at Madame Lazonga!
I wanted a cover-up for a small tattoo that was on my wrist, so I did some research and picked Madame Lazongas based both on their reviews and their location. The artist (Stephanie) was a very poor communicator and wasn't up front about anything, including the price (I should have asked). She freehanded the design, and I okayed it based on the fact that when previous artists freehanded a design on me, they sort of did a sketchy, rough drawing and then filled it in with detail. However, this artist tattooed exactly what she freehanded. What was supposed to be a cute little robot ended up as a solid black, poorly executed stick-figure thing. Literally no one can tell what it's supposed to be until I tell them. It looks like a stick man wearing a hat and a dress. I hate it so much. It looks like a child drew it. It's less than two inches long and cost me $110. But I'm stuck with it until I either have it fixed by someone better or removed completely. Would not recommend.
Review Source:While I was visiting Seattle I passed by Madame Lazonga's Shop. I've been teetering on the idea of another tattoo for awhile now so decided to take a look inside. It was the most welcoming tattoo shops ive been in. Everyone I encountered during my my two visits to the shop were friendly. The shop was very clean and professional looking. All of the artist's books displayed great work.
I decided to make an appointment with John LeRoux and I couldn't be happier with my tattoo. Â
Looks like I have another  reason besides Piroshkies to come back to Seattle.
would have to say that on a customer service level I will never go here.
Called a couple of times with questions and only recieved curt, and rude responses. Spoken too like I was an ignorant simpleton, a idiot. Not one of my questions was answered nor was I given any impression that this person valued her customers at all.
The art may be good, but I'd rather go somewhere else.... there are a million good artists after all.
I've always wanted to go to Madame Lazonga's as a shop full of women tattoo artists, but the deal was sealed once I saw a friend's absolute stunning work done by Ruby Santiago. When I had a new idea that required that kind of skill with tiny lines and detail, I called immediately.
Before my actual tattoo appointment I needed a few reschedules, and Ruby was fabulously patient and accommodating. On the day I went in for my ink, it was dark and rainy. The shop atmosphere was really friendly and comfortable; staff chatted and joked with each other and with customers. Good music over the speakers!
I'm absolutely thrilled with my new ink. Ruby was the perfect match for what I wanted, and I'd recommend her to anyone. This is a fabulous shop with talented artists.
Madame Lazonga was a great match for my tattoo. It was a custom job with intricate details. If you can afford Vyvyn (Madame Lazonga herself) I would recommend it. She's $200 an hour now (!). It was $180 when I went 2 years ago. She doesn't work very fast but she's detailed. Even though I've put almost 10 hours hours into my piece, I probably have twice that much to go.
No air conditioning makes it pretty miserable in the summer so try to make an appointment away from those summer months. If you call for an appointment, you will have to wait two or three months to get in with Vyvyn herself.
She does take credit cards, but prefers cash (and doesn't charge tax for cash)
Also, there is a one year limit on re-touches and even though I spent almost 10 hours getting my tattoo, I was never informed of this. When I called, I was told that any touch up would be $200 an hour.
After I left a message expressing my disappointment about this policy, Vyvyn called me back offered to do the touch-up for $100 an hour, which was nice of her to do.
This is a shout out to Ruby, an amazing artist employed at Madame Lazonga's. After seeing/chatting with her around the market for a few months, I knew she'd be great at relaying my ideas to ink. I walked in with a bundle of fresh asparagus, and a few weeks later, I'm the owner of an amazing piece of art on my arm. She was totally amenable to my schedule and kept me smiling the entire time. It was like hanging out with an old friend and the vibe of the shop is so lovely and relaxing. I can't wait til we start on color!
Review Source:I went to a handful of other tattoo parlors around town, checking out portfolios and trying to get a sense for the general aesthetic of the places.  There are a LOT of really amazing tattoo artists here in Seattle.  I chose Madame Lazonga's because of the atmosphere.  All of the artists here are very approachable, very talented women.  It is extremely  female-friendly, with rich velvet wall hangings, bouquets of fresh flowers,  and jazz playing quietly in the background.  No death-metal, no overabundance of grim reaper or severed head tattoos, no bad attitudes.  My tattooer (Jackie, who rocks!) was sooo gentle and reassuring that I didn't feel a moment of anxiety.  Best of all?  My tattoos are freakin' beautiful and EXACTLY what I wanted and asked for.
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