Gifford Kasen
Dec 22, 2025
Making some big moves, I'm excited to be tattooing back in Milwaukee. Don't worry Chicago, I'm still working at there as well.
After almost 20 years in Chicago, starting in early 2026 I will be splitting my time between Milwaukee and my home base studio Logan Square Tattoo in Chicago. It's an exciting move for me both personally and professionally. As some of you know, I got my start in Milwaukee, apprenticing at the now defunct Starship Tattoo all the way back in 2004. It's been an amazing 20 plus years of tattooing, traveling, building and participating in a community of tattooers, and for the last decade, running my own tattoo studio.
As I've been imagining the next phase in my career and my life, it started to make sense to me to go back to where I started. My family is in Milwaukee. My oldest friends are there as well. As I get older my focus has been less and less on outward expansion and more on inward reflection. Keeping the flame of creativity and curiosity lit and kindled has become more important than chasing accomplishments and notoriety. For that, a smaller city with some more breathing room seemed appropriate.
The great thing about Milwaukee, well one of the great things, is that it's still very close to Chicago. I'll still be working at and running Logan Square Tattoo taking appointments several days a week. I'll still be out and about in Chicago, and keeping up with all the wonderful clients who keep me busy. So don't worry, you won't need to do the commute, leave that to me!
In Milwaukee I will be taking on new and existing clients working alongside the stellar crew at Sanctuary Tattoo Gallery. I'm looking forward to spending some time in a professional studio where I am not the one in charge, at least a couple days a week. I currently have a fairly open schedule for the Milwaukee side of my tattooing, so I am looking for some interesting pieces to take on!