Question 1

Does it hurt?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Generally I hear that it hurts more the closer you get to the important parts. The hinges and organs and nerve endings and what not. Your body is programmed to tell you "ow, quit it" even for the easiest tattoos but the close you get to those important bits the louder it screams at you. That said, people are doing 3-4 days back to back. We pay a lot of attention to pain management. Oddly enough, hot water does a lot of that work for me.

Question 2

How do I care for my tattoo after it's done?

Accepted Answer

I will give you aftercare instructions and if I'm on my game I may even be able to provide the aftercare itself for some of the larger scale pieces. I give instructions, verbally, and also in writing

Question 3

How long does a tattoo take to heal

Accepted Answer

When everything is done right on your end, clients tend to be able to last a few days with the initial covering. I use hot water during the process and make sure I leave time for bleeding at the end. Due to this my clients often don't experience a lot of bleeding or sweating under the bandage however if it it's sealed, it's good. Save your sheets! From there it is about 2 weeks before you are "healed" but it may be another week or two before your skin is back to normal. The main part is keeping it clean if not protected until there is no longer an open pathway to your bloodstream or risk of infection.

Question 4

Hotel Recommendations?

Accepted Answer

We are on the side of Missoula near the airport and there are a ton of options. That said, Hilton is one of the closest with one of my favorite restaurants there too. We even have a corporate rate there so if you are planning to travel in, ask for the info.

Question 5

What Tattoos are you pursuing?

Accepted Answer

I'm open to a wide range of styles, but not every tattoo. There is a lot on the subject on my Wanna-Do Page, but I have a history in Portraiture and Realism. I'm pushing that into more surrealism designs with added elements for visual storytelling. I also love Geometric, Black-work, and want to explore Bio-mech more.

Question 6

Can I bring my own design

Accepted Answer

I want to tattoo my own creations primarily. I'm happy to look at your ideas and talk to you about your options. When I have time, I do walk-in days at Montana Tattoo Company on a first come, first served basis. Just text walk-in to 406-626-8688 and you should be able to get set up.

Question 7

How do you ensure hygiene and safety in your tattoo process?

Accepted Answer

At Unorthodox Tattoo, I adhere to strict hygiene protocols. We use sterile, single-use needles and equipment for every client, and am trained in cross-contamination prevention techniques.

Question 8

What should I do if Im not sure what tattoo to get

Accepted Answer

That's my favorite! I love helping my clients on that journey. Generally I start with a zoom consultation. I record these so I can just relax and not take so many notes. I'll ask a lot of questions about your life and style and what you are into. I'll ask WHY you want to get tattooed and how you want to look but the gold, I find, is in those little Easter Eggs you may never have considered. These subject matter tend to be more unique and end up being awesome conversation starters. At the top of the page is a button to book a Zoom call. That's all it takes to get started, no pressure. just a conversation

Question 9

Where ELSE do you tattoo?

Accepted Answer

Really, if I'm booking 3 days or more, I'll go anywhere. Doesn't even have to be the same person. I go to conventions and also help shops with their websites and part of my payment is action on a guest spot. That said I'm also into working privately on the road and can generally find a place to work just about anywhere. If the room has all hard surfaces it takes pretty much nothing to cover it in plastic... BOOM, convention style!

Question 10

What's with the Automation?

Accepted Answer

Running multiple ventures—Unorthodox, Lowbrow Knowhow, Montana Tattoo Company, and LBKH Solutions—is a whirlwind, but tattooing always comes first. It’s my craft, my passion, and the foundation of everything I do. Still, I believe that giving my clients exceptional customer service should never take a backseat, even when I’m fully immersed in creating art. That’s why I’ve taken an unconventional approach: I taught myself to write and deploy AI agents. These agents are designed to guide you through my process, gather all the details I need to craft something truly personal for you, and provide you with answers anytime. By building these workflows and scripts myself, I’ve ensured they reflect not only my professionalism but also the creativity and care I bring to every tattoo. I also love connecting with clients face-to-face, but in a way that respects everyone’s time. Meeting on Zoom allows us to collaborate from anywhere. I can share my screen, the program records notes so I can stay fully engaged, and it gives us the personal connection that inspires great art—without the hassle of travel. If we meet, chances are I’ll say yes because I can’t resist working with cool people. That said, I’m being intentional about the projects I take on right now. I want to grow my portfolio with bold, exciting pieces, so I’m prioritizing designs from my Wanna-Do page (even unfinished concepts) or challenges that push my creativity to the next level. My goal is always to create something unique, something meaningful—something that reflects the trust you place in me when you sit in my chair. This process, from start to finish, is all about collaboration and artistry, and I’m excited to bring that to life for you.

Tattoo Portfolio — Mickey Schlick in Missoula, Montana

Pick your next stop.

Skull and Snake Blackwork

Tall Ship and Clouds

Dragon and Tiger Sleeve

Flowing Blackwork Detail

Cat and Pink Rose

Wolf Portrait Detail

Skull and Flowing Smoke

Colorful Floral Shoulder

Surreal Astronaut Helmet

Black and Grey Portrait

Decorative Woman Portrait

Elk and Antlers

Blue-Eyed Tiger

Praying Hands and Rosary

Surreal Third-Eye Portrait

Motorcycle and Smoke

Deadpool Portrait

Portrait with Glasses

Peony Blackwork

Skull and Sword Detail

Mountain and Forest Landscape

Sugar Skull Woman

Pink Lotus Flower

Geometric Mandala Composition