Queer witch Tattoo
Portfolio
Aiden Appleford
Queer Witch Tattooer located in Chicago IL. Client-centered and trauma-informed tattooing practices. Unique illustrative tattoo style, comfortable tattooing line-work, black and gray, or color designs. BBP certified, tattooing at the highest level of safety and cleanliness.
Styles
I have a unique illustrative style that highlights the natural, magickal, and whimsical elements of the subject mater I tattoo. No matter what corner of the tattoo world I draw stylistic inspiration from, because I draw all my own designs, each tattoo I create is in my own style and is recognizably my work. I see this as a strength, and so do my clients. Story-telling is an important element in each tattoo I create. Whether it’s the client’s story I am telling, or one I have made up for the sheer whimsy of it, each piece has a story to tell. Motion is also an important element in how I create my tattoos. I make sure each piece flows well with the body, and whenever possible, I love creating lines and shapes that show the motion of life.
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My color work is bright and bold. I focus on using high-contrasting colors in smooth color blends that show depth and dimension. I use the principals of color theory and my understanding of skin tone to create color designs that last a lifetime.
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My linework style uses techniques such as cross-hatching, dot-work, and variated line-weights to create dimension. I use squiggles to add elements of whimsy. Though simple, my linework style is extremely popular and fits with a variety of subject matter.
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I love using blackwork in combination with linework and shading creates illustrative and highly contrasted designs. I use a combination of mag shading and whip shading to create textural differences. I love using the directional shading as a design element to show texture such as feathers or smoke.
Ongoing Projects
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Ornamental 1/2 Sleeve
After getting an ornamental flash piece from me last year and loving it, my return client Bobbie wanted me to continue with the established theme and complete their ½ sleeve. My ornamental style combines thick lines, dots, and spirals inspired by Celtic art with my whimsical style. I love the juxtaposition of squiggly stems and symmetrical shapes that compliment the body’s natural flow.
Session 1: linework completed - 4hr session.
Session 2: linework touched up and color started on outer forearm - 4hr session.
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Wild flower Leg Wrap
A wildflower leg-wrap has been on my list for some time, so I was overjoyed when my longtime client Kiersten booked me for this project. Kiersten has only black and gray tattoos, and wanted something with dark witchy secret garden vibes. She also wanted to include lavender, daisies, and native wildflowers and grasses to give the feeling of standing in a field. She wanted the shin-portion to have lots of motion, starting from the inner ankle and sweeping out and around the front of the shin. I was all too happy to oblige! I am passionate about representing native botanicals whenever possible, so I chose red clover, purple cone flower, and grasses to give that native prairie wildflower vibe. I did very dark shading on the stems and the tips of the leaves to add the dark witchy feel she wanted, and created directional flow with the grass to show lots of motion.
Session 1: most of the linework - 5.5hrs.
Session 2: finished linework and started shading - 5hrs
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Krampus
Repeat client Alex booked me to do this large bicep Krampus-themed tattoo inspired by the German folktale of Krampus. Alex wanted something whimsically scary with references to the traditional story as well as some new creative additions. I took inspiration from old German cottages for the architecture of the haunted Krampus house, and used “he sees you when you’re sleeping/he knows when you’re awake'“ as inspiration for the eyeball windows. I added chains and bells to the creature’s sack which are all part of the traditional legend, and the design for the creature came from my ideas of creepy elf/goblins and mountain goats. We will add shading and pops of color next session.
Session 1: linework - 5hrs
Experience
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July 2024-Present
Creates unique illustrative tattoos full of natural, magickal, and whimsical themes.
Holds up to date BBP certification, and uses universal precautions to ensure client and tattooer safety.
Completed Tamara Santibañez's Trauma-Informed Tattooing Online Workshop on 9/12/24, and implements a trauma-informed tattoo practice.
Experienced working in a wide variety of styles, including linework (thin and thick lines), blackwork, black and gray shaded, and color designs.
Tattoo style inspired by other illustrative styles, as well as elements from neo-traditional, woodcut and etching, medieval and Celtic historical styles.
Consistently centers the client’s dreams and comfort throughout the tattoo process.
Fully booked 1-2 months out for entirety of tattooing career.
Handles all admin work, including marketing and social media, client booking, after-care, and client follow-ups.
Guest Spots:
Horse Shoe Tattoo | Lexington KT May 2025
Timber Hearth Tattoo Company | Bangor, ME December 2024
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February 2023-July2024
February 2023
Part time counterworker, part time apprentice.
Practiced on fake skin and fruit a total of 10 sessions.
Kept linework notebook and practiced drawing lines.
Kept tracing notebook and traced the full contents of 2 traditional flash books.
Practiced setting up the station for other artists.
Practiced shaving clients for other artists.
Practiced stenciling for other artists.
Practiced cleaning the station for other artists.
Created first set of apprentice flash.
May 2023
First machine tattoo on self.
Tattooed the “homies” 17 times.
Continued practicing line sketching, setting up and breaking down other artist stations, stenciling and shaving.
July 2023
Transitioned to apprenticing full-time.
Tattooed for tips 25 times (max 1 person per day)
August 2023
Tattooing at an apprentice rate.
July 2024
Graduated apprenticeship.
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Dekalb Tattoo Company
October 2022-July 2023
Client check in and check out (consent forms, ID check, answer questions, register check out, daily sheet notes, etc.)
Daily shop clean (wipe surfaces, vaccum, mop, take trash out, restock supplies, bathroom and backroom clean, etc.)
Artist Support (answer emails, schedule clients, update google calendars, connect clients with artists, send deposits, facilitate professional development opportunities, etc.)
Shop support (answer phone, answer door, sell jewelry, answer client questions, pay shop bills, assist with paperwork, jewelry inventory, shop supplies inventory, assist with scheduling, assist with event planning and coordination, assist with disputes, assist with personnel management, etc.)
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2017-2021
Translatable Skills Include
Multitasking: handling over 20 different variables at the same time while performing a difficult task.
Being an educator: able to guide and support myself through the learning process.
Working with people: centering the client through the tattoo process, assuring client comfort and safety, handling all questions with kindness and clarity.
Administrative skills: able to keep up with the steady flow of administrative tasks, from emails to follow-ups.
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Sailor: 2008-2013
Work-Study: 2013-2017
Lifeguard: 2014-2018
Top skills learned during this time that translate to tattooing:
strong work-ethic
high attention to detail
safety and cleanliness
teamwork, conflict resolution, and accountability
Thank you so much for your time and interest! If you would like to read more, click either button below to navigate my public website.