
Living Legends Tattoo and Piercing
Experience the best of Tattoos and Piercings at Living Legends.

Experience the best of Tattoos and Piercings at Living Legends.




He was born on August 1, 1951, in Kalispell, Montana, the son of Robert and Edith LaVerne (South) Whelan. He was raised and educated in Hungry Horse, Montana until the age of 11. His family moved to Island Lake, MN. He attended Bemidji High School and graduated in 1969. He moved to the Cities and attended the School of Associated Arts for a year. He started playing in bands, and toured the U.S. playing gigs. His passion was motorcycles, and he began building and painting motorcycles. He started tattooing and made it a career. He operated Outlaw Tattoo in Bemidji, and ended his career at Living Legends Studio. He married Kim Vold in Rapid City, SD, in 1981. They made their home in Bemidji, where they have lived for the last 46 years. He was an award winning motorcycle builder and painter. He had a dry sense of humor, and his classic one-liners will be missed. There was a special place in Fred’s heart for his 5 Ride or Die Guys.
The Legend Fred Whelan
Our best practices used by Jay VW.

Our best practices used by Fred Whelan.

They say a professional piercer’s best tools are a steady hand and a sense of humor. Luckily, I’ve been perfecting both for a quarter-century. Known to my clients as Jay, I’ve dedicated my life to the intricate and beautiful art of body modification. This journey began over 25 years ago and has been a constant source of inspiration, allo
They say a professional piercer’s best tools are a steady hand and a sense of humor. Luckily, I’ve been perfecting both for a quarter-century. Known to my clients as Jay, I’ve dedicated my life to the intricate and beautiful art of body modification. This journey began over 25 years ago and has been a constant source of inspiration, allowing me to transform passion into a lifelong career.
My work goes far beyond a simple procedure; it's about building trust and creating a meaningful connection. I specialize in a wide range of services, from delicate and intricate facial piercings to complex, emotional and spiritual body suspensions. My dedication to the craft has taken me to tattoo conventions around the country and to many where I’ve had the privilege of sharing my skills and learning from some of the best in the industry. These experiences have not only honed my technical abilities but have also given me the chance to connect with countless amazing people who share a love for this art form.
I pride myself on my unwavering professionalism and my unique ability to make every client feel relaxed and respected. I believe that a great piercing experience is a collaborative one, where your comfort and vision are the top priority. From the moment you walk through the door, you can expect a clean, comfortable, and welcoming environment where all your questions are answered.
So whether it's your first piercing or your fiftieth, you can trust me to provide a comfortable experience and a result you’ll absolutely love. I invite you to stop in and chat about your next project. Just be prepared for a few terrible jokes along the way.

"I’m a versatile tattoo artist with experience across a wide range of styles, from bold traditional work to fine-line detail and custom designs. My background in art and design allows me to create pieces that are not only visually striking but also meaningful to each client. Whether it’s large-scale projects or small, personal tattoos, I
"I’m a versatile tattoo artist with experience across a wide range of styles, from bold traditional work to fine-line detail and custom designs. My background in art and design allows me to create pieces that are not only visually striking but also meaningful to each client. Whether it’s large-scale projects or small, personal tattoos, I focus on delivering quality, creativity, and a comfortable experience for everyone who sits in my chair."

“There is a little Wicked in my Hippie”
Wicked Hippie is my name doodling is my game.
Legend, Fred (Outlaw) Whelan taught me how to channel my inner sorcery with some needles and ink.
Art has always been my life, creativity seamlessly flowing through me. But Artist never really had the same ring to it as Tattoo Artist.
But remember kids;
“Tat
“There is a little Wicked in my Hippie”
Wicked Hippie is my name doodling is my game.
Legend, Fred (Outlaw) Whelan taught me how to channel my inner sorcery with some needles and ink.
Art has always been my life, creativity seamlessly flowing through me. But Artist never really had the same ring to it as Tattoo Artist.
But remember kids;
“Tattoos are cool, they don’t make you cool.” -Fred Whelan.
My kink is fine line, black and gray is my for-play. I was a stray artist roaming the streets, Living Legends took me in, like any good stray now they can’t get me to leave.

Hey I'm Hayden, the one holding down the front desk at Living Legends. Think of me as the gatekeeper between you & Your next thrilling sensation of being stabbed. I'll get you booked, checked in, and maybe talk you out of your spontaneous forehead tattoo, but your body, your canvas. I promise to keep things running as smooth as our needles.

I’m currently working as an in-house merchandise designer at Living Legends, where I get to turn wild ideas into visuals that (hopefully) make people say, “That’s awesome” instead of “What is that?” I studied Advertising Design in school and completed my internship at Pfizer, where I learned the fine art of making even medical branding l
I’m currently working as an in-house merchandise designer at Living Legends, where I get to turn wild ideas into visuals that (hopefully) make people say, “That’s awesome” instead of “What is that?” I studied Advertising Design in school and completed my internship at Pfizer, where I learned the fine art of making even medical branding look stylish. Over the years, I’ve worked in screen printing shops, sign-making shops, and freelanced my way through a variety of design projects—basically, if it can be printed, painted, or plastered on a wall, I’ve probably designed it. Each experience has sharpened my skills and taught me how to adapt design to different industries, audiences, and formats. I’m passionate about blending creativity with strategy to create designs that connect, inspire, and sometimes make people chuckle.

📢 Guest Artist Opportunity!
We’re looking to host talented guest tattoo artists at our tattoo & piercing shop. If you’re passionate about your craft, love meeting new clients, and want to share your style with a fresh audience, we’d love to connect with you!
✨ What we offer:
📢 Guest Artist Opportunity!
We’re looking to host talented guest tattoo artists at our tattoo & piercing shop. If you’re passionate about your craft, love meeting new clients, and want to share your style with a fresh audience, we’d love to connect with you!
✨ What we offer:
We’re open to different styles—whether your specialty is bold traditional, fine line, realism, blackwork, or something completely unique, we’d love to see your portfolio.
📩 If interested, send us a message with your portfolio/social media links, available dates, and any specific requirements.
Let’s make some art together! 🖤
Do you want me to make a shorter version for social media (like Instagram/Facebook post), or a longer, formal version for your website/job boards?
Best Selection in Northern Minnesota
For inquiries about booking please stop in and talk to an artist.
218-479-0158
We will get back to you soon!
Open today | 12:00 pm – 06:00 pm |
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