Last weekend my sister Olivia moved to Australia. Before she left, we decided to get matching sister tattoos, so that no matter how far we are apart, we will always have something to remind us of each other.
Shoreditch sisters - we were cool from a very young age. Always trend setting...
We chose a design that represents our home – a traditional English rose – and keeping in touch – an envelope. Our appointment was booked with Cassandra Frances for 14th February, not intentionally, but it seemed like the perfect way to spend Valentine’s day…
We travelled up to End Times in Leeds from our hometown in Leicestershire – and we took our dad along for the ride, too.
Here he is chilling with a paper in the tattoo studio.
We both fell in love with the design as soon as we saw it.
Sister tattoo stencil - incorporating the rose and the envelope idea.
Getting tattooed at End Times was a lovely experience and we spent the day chatting to Cassandra – who told us some very interesting tales about how she got into tattooing.
Here is Olivia under the needle - she went first.
And here is the final ink. I am so glad we both have a permanent reminder of our sisterly love.
Sister tattoos - rose and envelopeThe final sister inkSaying goodbye at the airport last Saturday...Bye bye mama - a quick pic of us kissing our mama at the airport.
Ever wondered how one tattoo artist proposes to another? Read on to find out. Here is the love story of Alex and Zoe Binnie…
Zoe and Alex Binnie
How did you meet?
Zoe: He was tattooing Mo Coppoletta and I came into the shop to bring something in for Mo on my way to work – I worked in a bar at the time. And we just sat down and had a little chat while he was working. Alex: And I really fancied her and this was, what, 12 years ago. I thought there was something about her I really like, a lot, so…a couple of years later, I found her number and called her – I didn’t ask her out on a date, I offered her a job. I thought that was the best way of getting her in my life. I said we needed someone to be our glamorous new receptionist and desk girl. Zoe: And he said under no circumstances is this an apprenticeship, so don’t even think about it. Alex: Is that what I said? Zoe: Yep, don’t even think about it. So I was like, fine OK and I accepted the offer and came to work for him. Alex: (looks at Zoe) And actually you learned to tattoo in the shop a few years later…you terrible girl! Both: And then… Zoe: I left the shop. Alex: with Miles – she ended up having a relationship with one of my guys, Miles. Which was fine, I was in a relationship myself and I had two young kids. It was cool, I always loved her, but I didn’t need it to be consummated in that way – I was happy just having her around. Zoe: Then I was away in Australia for about five or six years. Then I came back… Alex: And we’d always kept in touch – as friends, of course. Zoe: When I came back Miles and I had split up. And that was about a year and a half or two years ago now…and Alex and I went out for a few dinners, like we always used to, as friends… Alex: Well, we went out for one dinner as friends and then it got a bit “not friendly”… Zoe: it was weird… Alex: We think the scales were lifted from our eyes at exactly the same time… Zoe: He liked my new fringe… Alex: It was a different fringe from this one. Obviously I like this fringe, too… Then, we were together and here we are. We’ve been together as a couple for a little over a year.
It was like the scales had been lifted from our eyes
So when did you propose?
Zoe: Valentine’s day. Alex: Yep I proposed on Valentine’s day. Zoe: It’s a very romantic story. Alex: Go on, you tell it then. Zoe: I was working and Alex was in Brighton – doing what I’m not sure… Alex: I was busy. Zoe: He told me he couldn’t come to see me and he was like “You don’t care about Valentine’s day anyway, do you?” and I was like “No, of course not…it’s fine, it doesn’t matter”. He got flowers sent to the shop during the day, saying really sorry he couldn’t be with me. I was like “awww that’s nice”. Then I went home and I was making dinner with my flat mate and I got a phone call from Into You London (Alex’s shop) and it was Alex. I said, “What are you doing in London?” and he said “Babes, you didn’t think I’d really miss Valentine’s day, did you?” He’d booked a table to ‘our’ restaurant – the one where the scales had been lifted from our eyes. He said he would be there at nine, so I only had half an hour to quickly get dressed and get there. I got there and went to sit down and his hat was on the chair. I lifted the hat up and there was a big, sort of diamond and Alex said it was a taste of things to come. I was just like fine, whatever, thanks and I sat down. Alex: And then I told her she had to come outside, as I had something to show her. Zoe: And he was checking his nails every five minutes and looking nervous…and as he lead me outside I saw he had a little box in his hand. I was like oh my god, oh my god – I think I know what’s going to happen. Then when we were outside he got down on two knees – he has a dodgy knee – and he lifted up his shirt and he had ‘marry me’ tattooed on his chest. He said “Darling, will you marry me?” And I said “of course, yes”. Then, he said he didn’t have a ring yet, but he had picked a diamond. Alex: I did have the diamond with me.
Zoe: And then we went back inside, so I could have a look at the diamond. And of course the next day, I went and got the ‘yes’ tattooed on me… then in two months’ time I will be (scary voice) Mrs Binnie. Alex: (in scary voice) Yes Mrs Biiiinnnie…
So do you two ever tattoo each other?
Alex: Yeah we have. Zoe: (Looks at Alex) I am supposed to be tattooing you at some point soon. Alex: I have to admit, I find it a bit difficult to tattoo her now, as I don’t want to hurt her. (Looks at Zoe) I don’t want to hurt you babe. Zoe: And then you’d have to stare at it every night. Alex: It’s tricky, there’s too much stuff going on, as the great Hanky Panky (Henk Shiffmacher) said you should probably never tattoo your other half. It can be weird, but who knows I might tattoo her again one day.
Sealed with a kiss - how romantic
So there it goes, the tale of two love-struck tattoo artists – how they found love and how he proposed to her.
How annoying is it when people ask you what you’re going to do about your tattoos when you get old? Or what are you going to do when you get married?
These photos should answer those questions.
Beautiful tattooed brides
Rock 'n' Roll Bride Kat WilliamsWhy would you want to hide your tattoos on your wedding day? There couldn't be a better day to celebrate them."But what will you do on your wedding day?" "Urm, look pretty bloody amazing actually."Tattooed bride in NYC
Ever looked at a painting, model or political figure and wondered where the tats are?
Untitled 'Kate Moss'
I often look at bare skin and think what a lovely blank canvas – and clearly so has artist Jean-Luc Moerman. He’s known for the tattoo technique he applies to iconic images in history – from models and political figures to renaissance paintings and the kamasutra.
I would love to speak to him about his motivations for undertaking such an interesting project and how he picks who/what to ink…
This is a ‘get your tat out’ special, as Rachel talks about the tattoos on her own body and the tattoos she puts on other people’s…
What got you into tattoos? I think studying illustration at university really got me interested in tattoos. I’d never realised before that there was a whole artistic background to tattooing, past the crappy flash churned out from street shops back at home. A few people in my class at university had some really interesting tattoos and it made me realise that I could put my artistic talents to good use. My first tattoo was a tiny heart on my wrist which I got on a whim during an unplanned night trip to Brighton with a friend.
A tattoo with a happy endingPretty dog tattoo
Where did you get your tattoos done? I get my tattoos done in lots of places, usually I find an artist I like via Facebook or from previously tattooing my friends. I’ve had two done at The Family Business in London, my rib piece and leg by Rachel Cavalier at Tattoo Shed in Apsley and also my Russian doll by Jake X there. Simon Erl from Jayne Doe did a Shakespeare piece on my arm and I’ve had a few small ones done by Oli Christensen. I recently travelled up to Sheffield to get a Wizard of Oz tattoo done by the amazingly talented apprentice, Amy Williams. A few of my tattoos have also been done by my boss at the shop I work in, which is a bonus as they are done for free!
Russian doll tattoo by Jake X
Have you got any more planned? I’ve got lots more in the pipeline, but it’s just finding the time and money. I’d like to get lots more added to the Cinderella piece I have on my left arm, maybe a castle and the dress which she makes herself before her step sisters rip it apart. I’d like to get portraits of my parents on my back and more Victorian book illustration style pieces around my Fornasetti tattoo.
Where does your inspiration come from? Although cheesy, almost all of my tattoos have been inspired by Walt Disney films! I’m a bit of a hopeless romantic, so a few of my tattoos seem to be based around love and happy endings.
By Steve Vinall
How would you describe your style? I really like traditional tattoo art with a modern twist, I guess neo-traditional. Victoriana seems to be pretty ‘in’ at the moment, but I’ve loved imagery and art from the Victorian period and also renaissance for as long as I can remember.
Is there anyone you would like to get tattooed by? I’d love to get tattooed by Tiny Miss Becca, but from what I’ve heard she has a super-long waiting list! It would be awesome to get tattooed by any of the artists from Spider Murphy’s, my shop recently bought their book and every page of flash is incredible.
Do you have a favourite tattoo? My favourite tattoo is the face on my arm. It’s the famous face of the opera singer Lina Cavalieri, recreated by the Italian artist Fornasetti. He made thousands of different images using her face, and I decided to make my own version by adding the moth, kind of like the poster image for Silence of the Lambs. It was by my boss Antonis Galankis at The Grasshopper where I work.
Inspired by Fornasetti
Do your tattoos have meanings? I guess the majority of my tattoos have meanings, if I really think about why I got them. The Russian doll on my arm has ‘Mum’ written on it, because the big babushka dolls hold and protect all the smaller ones inside them. I guess my Mum is like my protector. I have a large piece of Marie Antoinette on my ribs – I am fascinated by her life story and like the fact that she went against her heritage and lived her life the way she wanted to.
Many of Rachel's tattoos are inspired by Disney
What’s it like to be a tattoo apprentice? Being a tattoo apprentice is amazing! I was so lucky to get the job, I guess I was in the right place at the right time. I was in the last month of my degree and walked past a local tattoo parlour – The Grasshopper in Harrow – and they were advertising for a new apprentice. I brought my portfolio back in an hour later, and did a few initial designs for them and the boss decided to take me on the following week. It was unpaid for the first couple of months and the majority of the time I was just cleaning grips, dealing with customers, cleaning the studio and doing some design work for my boss. Now I’ve been there almost a year, I’ve started tattooing customers and I’m in my final stages before I get my licence. I guess it’s a very competitive industry, especially with social networking being such a big part of advertising yourself. There’s so many tattoo shops within a five mile radius of my shop so, with so much competition, it’s important to try and be the best you can be.
How would you describe your style of tattooing? I wouldn’t say my style was all neo-traditional, but it can be seen throughout most of my designs. I like using bright colours and lots of pretty imagery, too. I try to look at what a customer wants and add my own touch, instead of outright copying someone – I would hate for someone to do that to me. However, with neo-traditional tattooing so popular at the moment, I guess it’s hard to constantly come up with completely original ideas for pieces.
Which artists (tattoo or otherwise) are you inspired by? There’s so many artists who inspire me at the moment. I love Rachel McCarthy’s use of colour and cuteness in her designs – the same with Amy Savage from Jayne Doe. I get a lot of inspiration for my drawings from illustrators as well, such as Tara McPherson and Lucy Oldfield. And I like to go to museums and galleries to discover new ideas.
How do you learn? Who do you practice on? Initially, my boss got me to do lots of drawing and paintings to get a feel for tattoo design and technique. I’d watch him tattooing his customers and he’d explain to me what he was doing and why. Then I went on to tattooing potatoes, to try and get a feel of the machine and depth. I have to thank my friends for allowing me to practice on them too! We’d have lessons after hours – where I’d bring a friend along and my boss would shadow me and talk me through what I was doing. Gradually, over several months, I became more confident and then started doing small simple pieces on paying customers. I’m really grateful for everything my boss has taught me, he’s a really good teacher and has an eye for all sorts of art and design – as well as different medias such as egg tempera painting and mosaics, which was really interesting for me as I come from a fine art background.
And here is selection of tattoos by Rachel – I love her girly style
– she’s definitely my new tattoo crush and I think she is an amazing tattoo artist herself… Rachel I would love to get tattooed by you one day!
