New owners, image and purpose at Blackheart Tattoo

April 14, 2009 12:15 am

— CONNEAUT — Blackheart Tattoo LLC, 212 E. Main St., plans to be as much about artistic expression and a forum for local artisans, as it is about tattoo artistry.
“I envision Blackheart Tattoo (as) more of a bazaar that will offer live music, henna parties and be a place for local artisans to sell their creations,” said owner J.J. Maenpaa, who is a tattoo artist and tribal belly dance instructor. “Any local artist can bring their art here to sell as long as it is framed and tasteful.”
The atmosphere at Blackheart Tattoo is Indian with a Middle Eastern flair, and the shop is accented with heavy draperies, Indian art and aromatic incense. Other items Blackheart Tattoo will offer soon are jewelry, candles, incense, and ethnic and tribal belly-dance clothing.
Musically, Blackheart Tattoo will host acoustic artists Chris Workman, Seth Purdue and Doug Eaton for periodic jam sessions.
Maenpaa wants to reassure the public that Blackheart Tattoo is clean, registered with the state, certified with the Ashtabula County Health Department and follows meticulous sanitary protocols.
“Our purpose here is to help people express themselves with tasteful tattoo art,” Maenpaa said.
Blackheart Tattoo has two tattoo artists: Maenpaa and an artist who is known professionally only as “Dan.”
“I was very impressed with Dan’s work, and our styles are completely different to accommodate a wide range of clientele,” Maenpaa said.
Dan’s specialty is freehand custom tattoos and cover-ups.
“We do quality work that people will not want to cover up later,” Dan said. “But if they have a tattoo maybe they have outgrown or the work was not good, come here, and I can fix it. I also offer memorial tattoos.”
Maenpaa’s tattoo artistry, like herself, is entirely feminine.
“My specialty is girlie stuff, like butterflies and flowers, with a fine line of small details,” she said.
In fact, on Maenpaa’a own arm is an array of delicate flowers with a lacy-like appearance.
Maenpaa and Dan have portfolios available for potential customers to review.
Maenpaa got interested in tattoos as a teenager and later on apprenticed at a tattoo shop in Pennsylvania, where she worked until she built up such a large clientele that she decided to branch out here on her own. She also has instructed tribal belly dancing at the Conneaut Community Center for the Arts but is taking a hiatus because she and her husband have a new baby. Tribal belly dancing celebrates women through dance inspired by dance of North India, Middle East, North Africa, yoga, flamenco and Romani, according to www.heavyhips.net.
This summer, Workman will be at Blackheart Tattoo to perform piercing. Workman is available every Friday to perform graphic imagery services for customers who need business cards or fliers.
“During this time of introducing ourselves, our prices are about a third cheaper than anywhere else,” Maenpaa said. “We just want people to know we are here, and we are offering a sort of Mecca for artists of all genres.”
Hours are 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays, and the shop is closed on Sundays. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments are flexible. For further information, call Blackheart Tattoos (440-593-5895).

Photos

BILL WEST / Star Beacon THE STAFF at Blackheart Tattoo, left to right, Dan, Chris, Randy, J.J., and Nate. The Blackheart Tattoo studio is located at 212 E. Main St. in Conneaut.