Tatus by Koré

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  To start, I will say that Kore was fabulous while tattooing. She made it a great, calm atmosphere and a pleasant experience. However, everything before the needle hit my skin was anywhere from awkward to intimidating. I got my tattoo in May 2010.
  
  When I first came in, I had never had a tattoo or talked to any shop about them. I gave the front desk man an idea of what I wanted and asked what I should expect for price. He said he couldn't give me an estimate. Even ballpark? Not really. So I had no idea where to go from there. He told me I could make an appointment and that once it was drawn I could get a better idea. I assumed that this was just how it was... so I gave the deposit and left feeling uncertain.
  
  When I got to the appointment, I sat with Kore and we drew out my idea. I had a very rough sketch with me. She stuck to my sketch a more than creating her own interpretation. She questioned a lot of my suggestions which it made it hard to be persistent about what I wanted.
  
  Like I said, the tattooing process was great, and we had some nice chitchat during the session.
  
  I came back a couple months later because my mom had pointed out (since my tattoo is on my back I can't see it super well) that some areas were a bit more "faded" than others, just not completely uniform, so I went in to ask about a touch-up. Pretty standard procedure.
  The guy at the front desk told me it didn't look faded. I had nothing to retort, since I can't see it and point to where it was. So I have a slightly faded looking tattoo.
  
  Overall, she's a good artist, but I would have appreciated a little more support and graciousness. I was 18 and it was my first tattoo, maybe it was my age that made them question me, but it really didn't help me get the best tattoo I could have gotten.
  
  That being said, I don't regret my tattoo.

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  Posted on 08.08.13 Chai T.

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  I got my first tattoo, (or Tatu) by Kore back in 1994, I have been going to her since! This is a very sacred and healing place, not a place where you go in and pick flash off the wall and get it tattooed on you! If you want a unique experience, and a comfortable one, get your tatu's done with Kore! Everything is done custom, no one else will have your tattoo! I like the fact that Kore only tatu's 3 days a week, so she can keep her artistic flair and not get burnt out. You will not be dissappointed! Kore is also a Shifu, a martial arts instructor opperating another business Five Element Martial Arts (FEMA) check both of them out!

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  Posted on 01.21.12 Thomas K.

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  Kore did a large, lovely piece on my right arm that was based on a very vague .jpg of bridal henna that I'd printed out.  I'll make a list to keep this brief- but here's some reasons why I was so impressed with her:
  
  -She sat me down and talked to me about my piece
  -She took out some books in her shop- NOT tattoo books, actual books of artwork and drawings from different cultures, hardbound- to find the specific type of design I wanted, and compared it with other similar designs in case I wanted to change it up
  -She custom drew the piece while looking at my arm, incorporating it into existing tattoos I already had on my arm (to make a sleeve)
  
  THEN she began to charge.  So the drawing of the tattoo, the consultation, all which took about 30-45 minutes, were free.  Amazing.  Try finding that anywhere else.
  
  Also, if you're a first timer, she walks you through the process with breathing exercises.  
  
  My experience with her was lovely.  Her shop was warm, smelled of incense and was very GLBTQ friendly.  I highly, highly recommend her.  Her shop was the only place I left feeling BETTER after my tattoo.  Plus my work is solid, no scarring and no bleeding.  Great skill.
  
  She's conveniently located within Uptown, and her shop has parking.

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  Posted on 04.03.11 Llorona N.

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  Wow, this is where I got my first tattoo when I was 18! I went with a friend as moral support, and in one of the only moments of impulsiveness and spontaneity in my life, I made an appointment for a couple days later. It wasn't wholly unplanned though -- I knew what (a sun) and where (outer bicep) I wanted it. I'd been mulling over the idea for about six months after my high school BF drew a sun on my arm and I liked it so much I didn't wash it off. I have no idea who tattooed me, but I learned a lesson: if you don't request a specific artist, you will get the lowest ranking artist able/willing to do the tattoo; and if you have a very simple design, such as a basic black sun, you will probably get the apprentice. I don't mind my sun 15 years later, but now that I know a few things about tats, I can see the line work is poor and it scarred/raised after it healed. Oh well, first tattoos are rarely good tattoos. I will give the artist credit for improving upon the rough sketch I brought in.
  
  Anyways, Tatus by Kore is now a well established shop, having been in the same location for 20 years.  Impressive! The website states they do only custom work. I assume this means they don't have any flash, which is the way to go, IMO.  Also, I know my friend chose this shop because it's woman friendly and owned. In a male - dominated field, I think it's important to have a place where women can feel safe, welcome, and comfortable.   I doubt I'd ever return to Tatus by Kore but if you want getting a tattoo to be more of a spiritual experience, this just may be the shop for you.
  
  Deposit required. Credit cards accepted but there's a 10% service fee. Great Uptown location.

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  Posted on 12.02.10 Shekinah S.

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