Rosalie Hurr, Author at Things&Ink

April 14, 2020

Disney tattoos: Meagan ‘Megz’ Stevens

Megan ‘Megz’ Stevens creates Disney inspired tattoos at Bosco’s Tattoo Shop in, Tehachapi, California. We spoke to Megz about how she found she could connect with people through tattooing, and of course her obsession with Disney…

How did you get into tattooing and what made you want to become a tattoo artist?

I was on track to obtain my Masters in nursing. I had completed all the prerequisites to apply to a Nurse Practitioner (NP) programme. However, I found myself drained and not in a good way; a draining of my soul was beginning. In other words, I was losing my ability to empathise and sympathise. I love people, and when I chose a career in the medical field I assumed it would allow me to connect with people in a deeper way. However, when immersed in it I found it to be quite a different world.

I came home one evening, drained as usual, and unloaded on my husband, explaining how I didn’t think I could do it anymore. My husband, always the calm and rational listener, asked me if I could do anything, any job what would I do?

My mouth moved before my brain could register
“I’d tattoo!”

I had always loved the tattoo industry, specifically since the age of nine when I saw a man with a tattoo of Sebastian from Disney’s The Little Mermaid. I just never really thought I would be allowed into this seemingly exclusive club. I thought I would only ever be a client, so I pushed my intrigue down deep, keeping my art closeted as a refuge for me and me alone. Being told by my husband to go for it really sparked a gut response, a flame of determination, a whisper within me stating that I will.

Immediately I wanted to learn the anatomy of a tattoo machine, so I looked up any video and diagram I could find. I am not ashamed to say that I started to “scratch” out of my home on people – I owe my career to friends and family. Within a few months I was able to create a small portfolio of my work. It was enough to land me an apprenticeship.

How long have you been tattooing? Can you tell us a little bit about your apprenticeship.

I have been tattooing for three years. My apprenticeship was a fly or fall scenario, but in the best way. My mentor, Bosco, has this very calm energy about him. He believes in the people he brings into his shop, believes that they have the tools necessary to create a career. He simply observes, and when he sees that you definitely need guidance he comes in and gives it.

What inspires your work? You draw a lot of Disney flash, is this something that influences you? Which character is your favourite?

Disney inspires me the most. I love the nostalgia it brings up in everyone. It’s hard to find someone who does not smile when you bring up Disney. A true Disney fan never has one favorite character. My favorite animal character is Patch from 101 Dalmatians, Belle from Beauty and The Beast is my favorite Princess, and Mamá Imelda is my favorite Pixar character.

What do you like to tattoo and what would you like to do more of?

I would love to tattoo more watercolour Disney pieces. My watercolour technique is very free – I don’t stencil it on. I free hand with sharpie or the tip of my motion-less cartridge. It is all based on feeling. These are the most fun tattoos to do because the trust a client has to have in that moment connects you far past the session. It’s like you’re behind them on a cliff, they may have met you once before or even not at all, and they have to have faith that you won’t push them. They have to believe you have their best interest at heart. It makes me work harder to create the best possible watercolour piece I can for them.

Can you tells us about your own tattoos, what do they mean to you? Have they helped you to see your body differently?

I am fully sleeved on both arms. My right arm is exclusively old Hollywood icons, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, a large upper arm piece of Rett Butler and Scarlet O’hara from Gone With the Wind. On my left arm, to name a few, are little pieces of memorabilia, a best friend tattoo of a coffee cup from the show Friends, Simba, a daffodil, and initials to represent my son, an Alice in Wonderland piece to remember a departed loved one, Sailor Mars kissing Tuxedo Mask and Scar from The Lion King done by my mentor.

My tattoos make me feel unique and confident. I love that they speak for me when I may not want to open my mouth. Quite simply, they are my armour.

How does tattooing make you feel? Is there a particular part of it that you love?

Tattooing makes me feel liberated, but what I love most about it is the connection I make with the client. I find that there is no better sound than a story being spoken by a client paired with the hum of my machine. I love being a person they feel they can unload on. It’s funny, I went into the medical field hoping to help people in this way and all along I could do just that by tattooing.

March 14, 2020March 14, 2020

Black & Grey tattoos – Denis Torikashvili

Denis Torikashvili (TDAN) has been tattooing since 1997, he currently tattoos at Vatican Studios in Lake Forest, California. We chat to Denis about what inspires his realism tattoos and how he got started in the industry…

sailor kiss tattoo

The first time I saw artistic looking tattoos was in American movies in the 90s, before that I had only seen military or old prison tattoos. These weren’t interested to me and didn’t really affect me, but I was encouraged by what I have seen in movies, it was like a glimpse into the future. I was so impressed I began sketching.

corpse bride tattoo

Speaking of drawing, from an early age I was interested in art and everything to do with it. Art was something exciting and new for me, of course I would always get carried away by my sketching. My friends found out what I had been doing and talked me into giving them tattoos, those guys were my first customers. In those years I didn’t have a professional tattoo machine, so I made one out of materials and things I found at home. In 1997 I bought my first tattoo machine, a Micky Sharpz and one thing led to another. In 2005 I took part in the St. Petersburg tattoo convention for the first time and in 2006 I won a prize. I worked in some tattoo shops in Rostov on Don and then I opened my own tattoo shop.

black and grey

I work in different tattoo styles. I used to make some Japanese tattoos that weren’t bad, as well as ornamental, American traditional tattoos and realism. This continued until 2014, when I moved to Moscow. After that my tattoo career really started taking off. I had a lot of trips working as a guest artist, attended loads of tattoo conventions, got some trophies, met wonderful artists, who also became my friends and whose advice has helped me many a time. In 2017 I got asked to work in London at NR studio, where I lived and worked for two years and I formed a serious client base. I didn’t want to leave but in July 2019 my temporary visa expired, after that I’ve decided to try my luck in America. I’m very fortunate to be here, at Vatican Tattoo Studio headed by great man and amazing artist Franco Vescovi.

realism sleeve

I work in black&grey realism style. I’m always trying to think outside the box and ask customers to believe in me and leave the tattoos and design in my hands.

Those who haven’t been afraid to trust me have never regretted it because I’m always about elegance and beautiful harmony when it comes to design.

I get my inspiration from movies, music and art photography. Everyone says I would have made a good photographer.

face tattoo

For anyone who wants to become a tattooist artist, I would advise them in the beginning to visit a major tattoo convention and see how highly skilled artists work, choose your favorite and get a tattoo from them and take advantage of this by asking them questions. The ideal outcome would be to find an artist who would then agree to take them as an apprentice

I came to the USA seven months ago and it is still too early to judge which country’s tattoo scene is better. The tattoo scenes in Russia and in the USA are generally very similar, but there are some key differences. The profession of the tattoo artist is not listed on state registries in Russia, our existence is denied, which doesn’t prevent us from working, while in America tattoo studios operate under the State supervision. Russia is filled with tattoo artists, who will do whatever is necessary to get to the top of this business. Tattooing is a very competitive sector.

March 1, 2020March 12, 2020

Getting a sternum tattoo – at a convention?

Lucy Edwards writes about what it’s like to get tattooed in a sensitive place while at a tattoo convention… would you?

Body confidence is something I feel I have never truly had. For as long as I can remember, I have been very critical about the way my body looks and it’s only now, after a good few months working with a fantastic therapist, that I have slowly started to experience the odd uplifting day where I don’t think about my body image at all.

Last year however, I went through a lot of emotional distress because of my lack of body confidence. That summer I continued to wear long sleeves and trousers throughout the hottest of days because the thought of exposing any part of my body was absolutely terrifying.

Little did I know that one particular experience from last summer would be my catalyst for learning to appreciate my body that autumn. It was a moment when my passion for tattoos spontaneously interrupted my fear of exposing my body. I had (without thinking it through) went ahead and booked in to have my sternum tattooed at, of all places, a tattoo convention.

Tattoo convention

Anyone who’s been to a tattoo convention knows that they are public. You are basically being tattooed in front of potentially hundreds of passers-by and while it may be no big deal for some, for people like me it can feel really intimidating.

I booked a floral piece with @battag82 from @tattoosatdabs to be done at Tattoo Tea Party in Manchester. What I had failed to realise was that I would essentially be topless in front of lots of people. What I had done, was convinced myself that there would be a curtain for me to be tattooed behind and that once it was done, I would emerge, exhilarated from the new-tattoo buzz and ready to enjoy the rest of the convention.

It wasn’t until the start of my appointment that I realised there was no curtain and that the table was smack bang next to a walkway near the entrance to the whole convention. It was happening very quickly and before I knew it, I was being handed kitchen roll and tape to cover my boobs. As I walked to the toilets, I felt a wave of fear overcome me and my face started to get hot, what on earth had I done? So many people were going to see an area of my body that I wanted to keep private, how was I going to deal with this?

In a daze, I headed back to where Tag had set up. We began the process of stencilling and it was at this point that I realised I was very lucky. Tag was extremely kind, he acknowledged that I had unknowingly chosen to do something a little scary and made every effort to make me laugh and feel relaxed. If it wasn’t for his professional and relaxed attitude, the experience may well have become a horrible one, but instead, it was one of the most empowering moments of my life.

As I got comfortable on the bed and we started the tattoo, I noticed many people came to watch the process happen. People smiled at me and gave me a thumbs up, I even had a lady tell me how brave I was and that the tattoo looked great. They were welcome comments from kind strangers and I had never felt more weirdly at ease. Tag joked that I must have felt like I was sunbathing at a carboot sale, It made me laugh, this was the only sunbathing I’d ever experienced and it was teaching me that more people are kinder than we may first think.

When my tattoo was done, I was left with a stronger case of post-tattoo buzz than I’d ever felt before. Sure, I felt a little bit of post-panic shakiness, but I also realised that the happy emotion I was feeling, was actually empowerment. I had for an hour and a half, kicked my anxiety and body image issues to the curb.

Thanks to an amazing tattoo artist, I’d been able to feel positive about my body for the first time in forever and I realised that there was a possibility for my negative mindset about my body to change. I gained the confidence to attend therapy and I had a permanent reminder over my heart – a little bunch of flowers that let me know every day that appreciating myself, as I am, is possible.

Words: Lucy Edwards, a 20-year-old tattooed university student, cat mum and trying-new-things enthusiast. You’ll most likely find Lucy posting about mental health awareness and self-acceptance on her Instagram.

February 3, 2020June 13, 2020

Apprentice love: Amy Riot

We love finding new apprentices, it’s always so exciting to see new artists growning and finding their place in the tattoo world. Tattoo apprentice Amy Riot tattoos out of Legacy tattoo studio, in North Devon, under the watchful eye of her mentor Lee Howell…

amy_riot

How long have been apprenticing and how did you get one? I’ve studied art up to degree level, and have had a couple of indie brands, and a vintage shop since finishing.

I’ve always wanted to get into tattooing but it was never the right time or situation for me.

My daughter was just about to start school, and together with being in my early 30s, I had a ‘now or never’ moment. I had a few tattooist friends help me make a portfolio, and In late 2018 I bit the bullet and went into Legacy to show it to Lee.

Luckily the universe was on my side. I couldn’t have found a better place, or better people to be in the company of and learn from.

Do you have any tips for those looking to get into tattooing? Draw lots, in all sorts of styles. Get tattooed by various artist. Hang around shops you like the vibe of.

Peony_tattoo

What inspired you to become a tattoo apprentice/artist? Being creative is the only thing I’ve ever been good at. I’ve had a couple of indie brands in the past, and still run one as a sideline. But getting into tattooing has always been the dream. I get to combine my love of art together with my love of tattoos.

What has been your favourite tattoo to date, and what would you like to do more of? That’s a hard one?! I love it when people come in and choose a piece of my own artwork from my flash book. It’s a great feeling that someone wants to wear your artwork on their skin for life. I’d like to do more of my own art but I’m happy to try most things whilst I’m an apprentice to vary my skills.

pat_butcher_tattoo

Where do you see your style going? I’m a big lover of traditional tattoos and would love to hone my style more. Over time I feel my work will evolve naturally. The fun part is getting there, and seeing the change as I progress!

How have you found being a woman in a still very male dominated tattoo industry? So far I haven’t had any issues. There are so many great female tattooist out there that have paved the way, making it easier for girls starting out like me. I’m sure in the future I may experience some negativity, but to me, being male or female doesn’t factor into being a good tattooist.

jaguar_tattoo

What does tattooing and being tattooed mean to you? I feel that being tattooed gives you license to create yourself as an individual, much like clothing, it’s an extension of your personality. Being able to tattoo other people means the same, helping people express themselves is a great feeling!

Rosie_pinup

We love the pin-up you did of our editor Rosalie, do you take commissions? Yes! As well as my apprenticeship I run my own little indie brand Yesterday’s Youth. I make commission art prints and hand painted jackets, as well as other prints and merch, all designed by myself.

January 25, 2020January 25, 2020

Kindness – a tattoo

Editor, Rosalie shares the story of her most meaningful tattoo yet.

What does kindness mean to you?

Kindness for me means rejoining a weekly yoga class as a way to enjoy movement without seeing it as a punishment, something that I had been doing for way too long. It means starting counselling and commiting to it for almost a year. Kindness is turning my back on years of dieting and self hate in order to learn to be self compassionate and love my authentic self.

My yoga class begins and ends with a quiet moment of gratitude in a seated, comfortable cross legged position. The way I cross my legs or place my feet together, depending on how I am feeling that days, means my left ankle is always visible to me especially when I am bowing my head on my prayer-formed hands in thanks to my teacher and my body.

My yoga teacher encourages us to choose an intention for the class, a word, thought or feeling to carry with us while we stretch and move but also for the week ahead. The word I always settle on is kindness. Not only to help me be kind to my body in the moments when I move through our sun salutations and flows, but also as I begin to look around the room and compare my yoga poses and ability to those around me in the village hall where we practise. My chosen intention is also for and towards myself always, whether I am at work or home and more importantly to those around me too.

I wanted to commemorate how far I had come, the positive changes I have made and my progress with the best way I know how – a tattoo. I already had the perfect gap on my left ankle, and an artist in mind who specialises in fine line work.

The artists at Francis Street Tattoo in Leicester have always been warm and kind to me and Ellie-Mae was no different. She helped make the whole experience so positive and she is super gentle, which is always nice. It was as if the ink, the tattoo machine and artist were all working together to pour kindness into my skin. To add power and meaning into a word that had come to be so significant to me.

Now settled in and healed, my kindness tattoo pokes out at me at the end and beginning of my class or when I practise at home. It is visible below the cuffs of my jeans and my favourite dungarees, as a constant and strong reminder of my intention, the person I am and can be, as well as a promise to myself and others. The old English script signifies how far I have come, my history alongside the important work I am continuing to do with my mental health but also how far I have to go.

Most of my tattoos have no real meaning but this one makes up for them all.