Mickey Schlick

My name is Mickey Schlick. I opened Montana Tattoo Company in 2015 as my little out of the way space to create. I generally like to work with customers who have an idea that we can work through from the ground up. I find that if I can figure out your motivation to get tattooed and the general look you are after for yourself then I can often offer some insight in terms of subject matter and symbolism. Let's chat about where your ideas come from and add some symbolism and flow for a piece of your own. I prefer not to reproduce work but I am somewhat flexible in styles.
I have always enjoyed a range of styles but I do tend to lean towards the realistic. I look at tattooing a lot more as my lifestyle than a title or job. I love it all and enjoy changing it up from time to time. I really like large scale design work that moves well with the body and looks good from a distance. Whatever the subject matter, it will look better bigger. I have made quite the career focusing on details but experience has taught me so spread things out a bit. More than a subject matter, I want to know where your motivation to do this is coming from. How you envision yourself looking at the end of the day. As much as a tattoo is personal and just for you, we will be making something that should represent your style and personality within my artistic range. These days I prefer little bit bolder style of realism. Heavier on the illustration and shadows, stronger lines, and a whole lot more flow.... We're going to make something cool together!

I normally work on one person a day in sessions anywhere from 1/2day (3hrs tattoo time) to 2 days. I work afternoons and evenings Thursday, Friday, Sunday & Monday but can be flexible when needed. In general my customers are working professionals who are a little bit further along than their first tattoo. They are familiar with the process, plan ahead and don't rush things. They understand this is going to last forever and that it is better to have the right piece with the perfect fit rather than the right-now piece that rarely fits perfectly. They allow me the creativity and space I need so that I can use my experience to their benefit. They are looking for ideas and are not as worried about directing. It makes me look good to make you look good, and they can always appreciate that. We are normally doing a half limb or more and booking full-day or half-day sessions. I have had relatively few customers that I just didn't vibe with over the years. However, trying to run a business and keep everyone happy has taken a toll. I hate keeping you waiting. I may come off aloof in the consult stage, and too direct in the beginning of the appointment, but my process is to hear and digest your idea for some time and to put the design together when it’s tattoo time. I got you boo! I do loosen up when the tattoo gets started, I promise. Once it is though, good times and good conversations are the best parts of the job. I promise it's me, not you. You are always welcome to bring whatever you need to stay comfortable, headphones, snacks, whatever. I like to keep it pretty relaxed.

I have been pricing myself out of shorter sessions and smaller tattoos. I will still do them, but I do charge more when the session is under 3 hours. I also have been staying away from any long form writing (over 3 words in a single font) , landscape and nature scenes for the time being (I will use these as elements to other tattoos but not as the sole focus). I have no desire to copy another artists work for you or to turn you into a "tattoo twinsie" with an internet stranger. On that note, I do not take every tattoo that comes to me. I feel that you will have a better finished product and experience from someone motivated (for whatever reason) to be engaged with the work. As much as it may not be what you want to hear, the most professional thing I can tell you is "no" if it's the not the right fit. I will however, let you know before I make you wait for months and let you know any options I can think of. Don't be shy about hitting me up for the next one. I definitely want to tattoo you!

I try to only do one larger tattoo a day because that way I can put the energy into the tattoo rather than all the other work involved with multiple customers daily. I will not rush your tattoo for someone else, and they can expect the same. Inspired by my own recent experience getting a tattoo, I really want to work on strengthening relationships with my customers... I believe the way to go is to use the online form. This way I can make a call as to if the piece is for me and also have a list. If we are doing something over multiple sessions the best bet is to book yourself a recurring monthly or bi-weekly appointment to work at a solid pace until it is done. Last, you can book an in-store or video VIP Consultation within the week of the tattoo if you want to sit with me while I draw for a bit. This way I can spend some time with you while my mind is on your project and get a feel for your personality, inspiration and motivation.
Half limb or more of full coverage - Biomech - Organic - Illustrative Realism - Blackwork - Black and Grey - Decorative - New School - Critters - Portraits - Custom Artwork - Large Subject Matter
Landscapes without foreground - Reproductions of any type of existing tattoo or art excluding statues and some historically significant fine art- Small Jobs with no Background - Watercolor - anything with tons of small detail, linework, or anything described as small, simple, or easy. I really only care to create things.
I work Thursday, Friday, Sunday & Monday and spend the rest with my kids. I am however appreciative of the fact that tattoos are expensive and I don't necessarily need you to take off work just to get a tattoo. I enjoy the flexibility of being able to switch my days and often on the weekends I work late into the night so if you need something that is not available on my booking form then feel free to let me know. Often I can have you book on the closest possible day and then switch with my day off.

Generally I do full and half days at $1200 & $600 respectively. I do small or hourly work at a rate of $250/hr. I book my days off at a similar rate depending on how busy that particular week is
We are located near the local Airport, Highway and many hotel options. But are far from downtown. For my own customers I can usually discuss transportation assistance if needed. If you are travelling for large scale work then we can discuss booking multiple days. Just let me know and we will book those days at a flat rate of $1200/day (6) hours but will stop when the work is done rather than when the clock stops. I would like to get together in the morning, discuss and hash out the artwork and then tattoo that same day, so often we can work the final consult and the tattoo into the same day.
Mickeyschlick.com

SCULPTS

Sculpting 3d images is a game changer for me. I’m still learning but if I can sculpt out a single design I can use that as a high quality reference for many designs and use the same model in many projects really opening up some design time.

Into Black-work? Me Too!!

I don’t get to do it enough but I really like black-work. If you are into geometric patterns and mandalas and that sort of thing I am really looking hard for a couple of good sleeves worth of work and have a ton of reference ready to go or ready to be customized just for you! Scroll through them, if you’re in I’ll get you to the front of the line!

Digital Paintings

Bioheart - Mickey Schlick

organic bio sort of heart shaped thingy I did from a reference of a hole in a tree
The bestest Girl-- Mickey Schlick

The bestest Girl-- Mickey Schlick
my dog Dali from all sides… there’s a video somewhere
Dead Hitchcock -- Mickey Schlick

Dead Hitchcock -- Mickey Schlick
one of the reasone I love digital work is that once I am done I can do a bunch of different variations without destroying the original. Ask me how to get a print!
Alan Rickman RIP -- Mickey Schlick

Digital painting when I was practicing portraits of Alan Rickman from my favorite Christmas movie Die Hard

Some paintings I Made — Mostly Canvases

Frank Sinatra Portrait

I did this Frank Sinatra portrait for my buddy at Wargasser in Somis. I always loved this one. Airbrushed acrylic on Canvas
Thriller: Oil on Canvas

I love me some FXRs and Dynas, This is my first in a series of Oil Paintings dedicated to the love of the road and the freedom that moving on 2 wheels brings.
The warm bear

I was exploring some things and trying to mix a couple of styles in this animal series. This one was painted loosley in acrylic on a yellow based canvas. The vignette texture was probably the most fun part to do although I did love his expression.
The Thoughtful Bull by Mickey Schlick

Someone came for a tattoo of a bull moose one day and I was practicing some drawing stuff and had mad up this little Thoughtful Bull Design. A few months later I was trying to work through some different painting styles and decided that using that little sketch could come in handy. Soe I have a few originals of this guy in different colors and styles but this one is definitely my favorite!
W/G Patina -- Mickey Schlick

Back in the day I was running around with these guys from Wargasser and had made this as a shop decoration for them. If I remember correctly it was a Japanese Brown patina layered a couple of times over steel Using a stencil to put in the logo. Patina on metal is lowkey some of my favorite shit to do. Hit me up if you are in the market and we can figure out a test project!
V/C Skull

I did this painting in Airbrush over a textured background for my friends Victoria and Chris when back around ‘08. It seems simple, but at the time I remember spending along night reflecting as I painted this. As it turned out I feel like I was told that Chris had been depressed and suicidal and so when I gave it to them I felt sort of weird about it. Unfortunately it was her that ended up going first. Always talk to your people. Let them know you care.
Mickey Schlick Airbrush Banner

This was a 4ftx5ft Banner I painted one night for a Tattoo Convention. I remember starting around midnight and going to bed with it finished shortly after 4:20am. Party Time. Done with a mini Spray Gun and acrylic paint
Test Run Turtle

Once upon a time I was painting a bathroom at my moms house for the spare room my daughter would be in a lot. I was practicing mostly the bubbles and background but of course I needed a subject.
Ava Ryan vs Mickey Schlick

I can’t remember if my daughter was on the way yet but this was my buddies daughter who I always got along with and I feel like even then I knew I was going to have kids. I had fun with the juxtaposition of the young character with the tool that has always represented rebellion to me.
MM#77 -- Mickey Schlick

I used to keep these on hand when I was younger and dating. Easy sell when you need a get-out-of-jail-free card from someone you are seeing.
Jo & her Sis -- Mickey Schlick

This lady Jo was a friend of my kids mom who was always really good to me and everyone around her. This was a portrait I did of her and her sister once upon a time.
Proper Pole -- Mickey Schlick

I did painted this barbers pole in oil back in the way back for a barbershop that I had some friends at. Proper, LA
Description goes here
Proper Patina -- Mickey Schlick

I rarely get to do it but working with Patinas is one of my favorite things to do. This was a little decorative tile I did for the guys over at Proper LA. I believe it is a light green patina on a brass plate and then layered and makes and rubbed with black wax. Very Fun!
High Class Audrey -- Mickey Schlick

I think I did this as a demo to show someone the lace background but of course I had to do a portrait with it. I ended up painting the name of the shop I was working at on it and so it goes.
Lowbrow Marilyn -- Mickey Schlick

This was a live painting I did at a Cycle Swap in long beach one day. Done for my friend Ian Greenberg. Airbrushed Acrylic on canvas

Some Things I Made — Mostly Walls

BB Background Piece.

Background Painting I did for Black Bike Wheels once upon a time
Ironlak Front End -- Mickey Schlick

Ironlak Front End -- Mickey Schlick
I once got an opportunity to put up a piece in the Ironlak store in LA. I gotta say, it took way too long and they hated me after that, cause it was overspray city all week. But it was a blast and came out pretty cool for only being my 3rd spray
Ironlak Front End -- Mickey Schlick

Ironlak Front End -- Mickey Schlick
I once got an opportunity to put up a piece in the Ironlak store in LA. I gotta say, it took way too long and they hated me after that, cause it was overspray city all week. But it was a blast and came out pretty cool for only being my 3rd spray
Ironlak Front End (progress)-- Mickey Schlick

Ironlak Front End -- Mickey Schlick
I once got an opportunity to put up a piece in the Ironlak store in LA. I gotta say, it took way too long and they hated me after that, cause it was overspray city all week. But it was a blast and came out pretty cool for only being my 3rd spray
Hand Piece -- Mickey Schlick

When I was working with the Homie Ruger at Young Guns in Hollywood I did this piece in the back of the shop. hard to tell here but it is like 12-16 feet long.
Kustom Kulture Caddy -- Mickey Schlick

Kustom Kulture Caddy I painted at a buddys tattoo shop in Hollywood. Hard to get a photo as it was llike 12 ft up but I had a blast doing it. I used to celebrate new year and my birthdays by working., This was one of them. -- Mickey Schlick

Automotive Painting

Draco Hummer Start

One Time I got hit up to paint this Hummer. .. See, all black
Draco Hummer Step 1

I paintied this guys Hummer one time. ….. It was a BIG fuckin Dragon! This is step one, sketching freehand with white paint
Draco Hummer Step 482 -- Mickey Schlick

This is about step 482 on this thing. It was in a tiny ass garage and I did more laps around this car than I could count.
Draco Hummer Step 784 -- Mickey Schlick

I think this was just about my last pass on this thing. The garage was so small I could barely get a camera and lights in there. Against my suggestion the owner came in during the clear process and blew a handful of golf-ball flake all over it. I was never really able to look at it the same after that. Never went back to see it outside.. But while I was working on it I really loved working on that thing, the other side was even cooler!
Draco Hummer Shameless Selfie

Draco Hummer Shameless Selfie
Hot Mini Truck -- Mickey Schlick

I just did the flames on this Hot Mini Truck
Marilyn Monroe Decked out in Pink -- Mickey Schlick

Back when I was just getting into painting and needed help impressing the ladies I always had a couple of Marilyn Monroe Pieces floating around. This one was done monotone so I could practice shooting a Kandy Paint and clear over it. Looking back, the eyes were a bit much.
Black Bike Customs v Mickey Schlick

Black Bike Customs v Mickey Schlick
If I remember correctly this came to me with the black and silver already done and I just did the faux pinstripe and the smoke on it, Possibly I did everything but the black? But it was almost half a lifetime now so I guess that’s the breaks. No clue who the other painter was. I’d love to do more
Black Bike Customs v Mickey Schlick

Black Bike Customs v Mickey Schlick
If I remember correctly this came to me with the black and silver already done and I just did the faux pinstripe and the smoke on it, Possibly I did everything but the black?But it was almost half a lifetime now so I guess that’s the breaks. No clue who the other painter was. I’d love to do more
Black Bike Customs v Mickey Schlick

Black Bike Customs v Mickey Schlick
If I remember correctly this came to me with the black and silver already done and I just did the faux pinstripe and the smoke on it, Possibly I did everything but the black?But it was almost half a lifetime now so I guess that’s the breaks. No clue who the other painter was. I’d love to do more
Stevie Ray Vaughn Guitar -- Mickey Schlick

Stevie Ray Vaughn Guitar airbrushed and with a little bit of lettering to go with it.
Ians Harley -- Mickey Schlick

This tank came to me with the red base and pearl panel already done and I was just to put this classic pin up [Gil Evgren?] and the logo. Sorry about the photo I must have been using a toaster.

SKETCHES

As much as I like to render final images, I really love to just play in the sketchbook sometimes. Here are some sketches both in digital and pen and paper format