Things&Ink

April 8, 2024April 9, 2024

What to wear when you get tattooed – a guide

Tattoo collector, writer and vintage fashion enthusiast, Carola Kolbeck (give her a follow @chameleoninhighheels) guides us through how to dress when we’re getting tattooed…

There are many important things to consider when getting a tattoo. First of all, the artwork itself and where it will grace your body for the rest of its life – and yours. Then, you need to find the right tattoo artist and have a few conversations with them about your idea and their take on it. Once you’ve paid your deposit and waited in giddy anticipation, the day has arrived and you’ll be getting ready, full of that indescribable excitement only an imminent new tattoo can evoke. And right at this point, we may forget another important question to ask ourselves: What should I wear when getting a tattoo?

It may sound like such a benign thing, shallow even, to think about an outfit for your big day in the tattoo studio. It’s certainly not because your artist will rank you on a list of ‘best-dressed’, nor will they care about your sense of fashion. But given that their canvas is your body, they’ll have some thoughts on your foresight on making their job as easy and pain-free for them as possible. So, what are the sartorial recommendations of the professionals for a comfortable and seamless experience in the tattoo chair?

Tattoo artist Steph Hesketh, co-owner of Evergreen Tattoo Studio in Coventry, has been tattooing for over 15 years and is the creator of six of my tattoos. Most recently, she designed and tattooed pointe ballet shoes on my leg, marking my lifelong love for ballet and dance.

Steph isn’t just one of the most amazing artists I have ever met, she also has a wealth of experience from seeing hundreds of clients in her chair over the years. Needless to say, when it comes to outfits, she’s seen it all: the good, the impractical, and the downright useless. I asked her professional opinion and suggestions on what to wear and what not to wear, depending on where you’re having your new body art.

Tattoos on your arms and legs

Generally, when it comes to getting your limbs tattooed, opt for tank tops, t-shirts, shorts or skirts in summer, and loose tops and trousers that can easily be rolled up and out of the way of the artist and the placement of your new tattoo. “We don’t mind you bringing anything that makes you more comfortable, like slippers, blankets, pillows, or towels,” says Steph, and also confirms that taking off your shoes for long sittings is completely fine.

Hand tattoos

“Be prepared to remove jewellery for the tattoo process,” warns Steph. “Rings should be removed if you’re having a lot of work on your hands done. That’s not just for hygiene reasons, but also because any swelling could cut off the blood supply to your fingers if the rings are too tight.”

Foot tattoos

When you’re getting your feet tattooed, your main concern should be with what shoes to wear after, when you’re on your way home. Chances are, the area will be tender and swollen, so you don’t want to squeeze into a tight pair of boots or trainers. Wide and roomy shoes are best, or sandals that won’t rub and aggravate the affected area.

But what about those more hidden areas on your torso – what’s the best sartorial choice without compromising on comfort and dignity?

Neck tattoos

No roll-neck jumpers for this one, please! A tank top or vest is best, and a blanket in case you get cold. Also if you have long hair, bring clips and hair ties, advises Steph. That’s not just helpful when you’re getting a neck tattoo, but also if you get tattooed anywhere near your hair, such as upper arms, shoulders, chest, back, and ears.

Full back tattoo

A button-up shirt worn backward is ideal, or if the back piece incorporates the bum, then a dressing gown worn the same way is a suitable choice. If dressing gowns outside your home aren’t your thing, then wearing joggers or bottoms with loose, stretchy waistbands will also work. They can be easily pulled down to give the artist plenty of space.

Breast and chest tattoo

Here, a button-up shirt worn the traditional way is ideal, and you may want to combine it with nipple covers or pasties. Those pasties are adhesive stickers you can place over your nipples; you may well have seen them in various designs on celebrities wearing sheer garments on the red carpet. Generally, the pasties are provided by your artist but if you’re unsure, make sure to check with them when you book your appointment. In addition, think about bringing a big scarf or pashmina. If you get chilly, you can wrap it around your shoulders, or stomach area while getting your upper chest piece.

Bottom

Bring your dressing gown or a kimono to be worn back to front. You should also make sure you wear stretchy underwear that can be pulled aside if the artist is only working on one cheek. If your whole bottom is covered, then thongs and g-strings are best, so both sides of your derriere are visible to the artist. If you think you’ll feel uncomfortable or any areas may be exposed, bring a large scarf so the artist can drape it across those body parts.

Private parts

If your tattoo is close to your nether regions, tighty-whities are not going to make for a comfortable experience. Stretchy underwear or tie-side bikini bottoms will ensure there are no awkward conversations about the artist being able to do their work. The advantage of tie-side pants: your artist can tape them in place to make sure they don’t fall down when you have to move.

Process of elimination is often helpful when you start thinking about your outfit choices when getting tattooed, so what, according to Steph, should you be leaving in your wardrobe?

Steer clear of anything white, brand new, expensive designer gear, and precious clothes and shoes. Although tattoo artists are meticulous and conscious people, at times, ink can transfer to your clothing and it will be difficult to wash out.

Leave anything uncomfortable or super-tight at home. You can wear that swag again when your tattoo is fully healed and ready to be admired in its eternal glory.

In the end, Steph says, “The most important thing is to think where your tattoo is going. Wear something loose and comfortable that gives us plenty of access not just around the immediate area that’s being worked on, but also the surrounding area. We need to place stencils without stretching the skin and want to see that your tattoo is central, straight, and exactly where it needs to be.”

Clothes are an important part of who we are and should reflect our personalities. Just bear in mind that not every outfit choice is ideal for a trip to the tattoo studio. Keep it comfy, loose and practical. And remember: when you’ve got a tattoo, you’re always looking the part.

Carola’s beautiful tattoo complete with ballet-inspired outfit @chameleoninhighheels

Give Steph an Insta follow @stephhesketh

We’re always talking to amazing tattoo artists, check out our latest interviews.

March 19, 2024March 19, 2024

“When I was tattooing, I felt guilty I wasn’t working on my business. When I was doing marketing, I felt guilty I wasn’t tattooing. This inner fight took 10 years, until I gave in to the business side,” tattoo marketer Sandy, from Inksane

Tattoo marketer and artist Sandy (@sandy_inksane) owns Inksane Tattoo in Belgium. Not only does she create amazing art but she’s also developed a digital agenda system for tattoo studios. Here we dive into her tattoo style and how she’s helping other artists in the industry…

First of all, tell us more about your work as a tattoo artist, how did you get into it?

I’ve been asked this question a lot and I still don’t have a fancy story for it. I was young, 24, full of energy (still am), and I just wanted to do it. Being self-employed and making an income with art was appealing to me.

How would you describe your tattooing style?

My style was black ‘n’ grey and colour photorealism. In the last few years, I’ve evolved into bio-organic tattoos. This style has always been more of a hobby for me. I would do it when I was drawing or painting for myself on a daily basis. I would do this type of art more on a canvas rather than on actual clients.

Can you tell us more about what bio-organic tattoos are?

Bio-organic is a style that pays a lot of attention to the anatomy of the to be tattooed bodypart. It follows the muscles. It was first done by HR Giger, who also created the creatures and scenery for the Alien movies. I guess it can be compared to biomechanic, where the mechanic version is mostly insinuating metallic, smooth shapes. The organic version is insinuating ‘organisms’. We use a lot of textures we find in nature in these tattoos. You see a lot of unearthlyy shapes flowing, some would describe it as a horror style.

What’s your studio like and where is it?

My studio is called Inksane (www.inksane.be ), and it’s located in Roeselare, Belgium. It’s been around 13 years since I opened it, and we’ve been growing steadily ever since.

Every time it got too busy or our waiting list per artist was over six months, I’d accept an extra artist or apprentice. It grew to the point where we had 15 artists working on a daily basis. To manage all of that I hired a marketing manager and a shop manager. Also my partner helps with the reception and bookings. Because of the pandemic and the economy we’re now at around 12 artists a day, so we are still a large studio.

Around four years ago, we started expanding the studio to different locations through a franchise scheme. The other two Inksane shops aren’t run by me, but they’re under a franchisee system.

From left to right: Anke (receptionist Roeselare), Michael (owner Brussel), Maxim (owner St-Niklaas), me, Danny (reception Roeselare, my partner).
Photo taken by our marketing manager Tom. For an Inksane promotional campaign.

Where are the two other Inksane shops and who runs them?

We have Inksane Roeselare run by me. Inksane Brussel by Michael, Inksane St-Niklaas by Maxim and Inksane Gent will be run by Cristian.

What’s the tattoo scene like where you are?

The tattoo scene around here is normal, steady, and friendly. Nothing fancy either. There are a few smaller conventions in the area on a yearly basis.

Do you remember what first made you fall in love with tattoos?

The focus. The way you can get sucked in and keep drawing and practising for days and weeks and years. Also the ongoing learning process. It never ends. You can get better every year for the rest of your life.

And what do you still love about the tattoo world now?

I’m not tattooing much these days. I gradually moved into business and marketing. It was not a consious decision.

In the past, when I was tattooing, I felt guilty I was not working on my business. And when I was doing marketing, I felt guilty I wasn’t drawing or tattooing. This inner fight took about 10 years, until I gave in to the business side.

Now with my studio (and the franchise locations) I make sure that our artists can focus on only being creative. We do all the other work for them. Like social media, drawing, managing customers, taking bookings, answering emails, reception and ordering stock etc.

We have the right person in the right place and the right tools – like our agenda system.

What exactly is a digital agenda system? What does it do?

Tattoogenda.com is a digital calendar/CRM (customer relationship management) for tattoo studios. Think Google Calendar, Calendly, Square, but mixed and fine-tuned to the tattoo industry.

It takes digital deposits from clients, sends automated reminders via sms or email, it has consent forms, waiting lists, aftercare emails, keeps track of deposits, etc. You can also use booking forms on your tattoo studio’s website to take consultations or piercing appointments.

Sandy standing and teaching her receptionists & franchise managers some marketing. “We do this on a monthly basis. Every month we have another topic to teach or talk about.”

How does it work for your studio? And are other studios using it? Is it a global thing?

I designed it myself so we could be more organised when running our own studio. When I made it available to my franchise locations, I realised I could also offer this software to other studios, too. Everybody can now take out an easy online subscription at www.Tattoogenda.com/pricing, so indeed it is a global thing.

I have the best development partner that takes care of the engineering part. I do quite a bit of development myself now. I also help other tattoo studios get set up with Tattoogenda and integrate it with their website.

Left to right: Michael (Brussel), Maxim (St-Niklaas), Sandy, Anke (reception at Roeselare), Danny (reception, Roeselare). Photo taken by Tom (marketing), for an Inksane promo campaign on a monthly franchise day.

What are your hopes for the future?

My goal is to work together with more tattoo professionals from around the world on getting their tattoo studio organised. Also improving my software along the way.

At the same time I enjoy running my own Inksane studio and intend to keep it that way. We will be opening a third franchise location next month in Gent. I’m very exited about that. The franchisee (manager) is a tattoo artist that has been working with us for a long time and I’m very proud of him.

Make sure to follow Sandy on Instagram.

We’re always talking to amazing tattoo artists, check out our latest interviews.

March 17, 2024March 17, 2024

“Tattooing is based on mutual respect, so It’s important to find the middle point between what the customer wants and what I want,” tattoo artist Isle

Tattoo artist Isle (@1sle_tattoo) works in Korea and has been honing her craft for the past five years. We sat down for a chat about her journey, her inspiration and what’s next for her beautiful botanical tattoos…

What first made you fall in love with tattoos? Do you have a strong first memory?

I’d always wanted to get a tattoo since I was a college student. But Korea was a very conservative society at the time, and the various styles of tattoos didn’t exist like they do today. I just thought that people with the tattoos looked so cool. After college, I switched my thinking, I started to think about what I actually wanted for myself and my life.

My body is mine, and I thought I should do what I want no matter what others think.

So I got my first tattoo, and two years later, I started learning the craft. The reason I started was not because I liked tattoos, but the more I did it, the more difficult it became, and the more fun and rewarding it was. It’s the same now, five years after I started tattooing.

What made you want to become a tattoo artist?

I’ve been doing painting whole my life since I was kid. So I’ve been thinking about how I can use my paintings commercially – other than exhibiting. And I wanted to learn a technique that will never disappear.

How long have you been tattooing for and how did you practice?

I started tattooing in 2019, so it’s heading to five years now. At first, I learned tattooing from my teacher. He thought me basic skills and then I practiced on a silicon pad. I repeated it until I drew the line straight, practised with my drawing, and I got confirmation from my teacher. I did it many times, and I finally did it on the human body. It became my graduation work and my first work.

We absolutely adore your beautiful botanical style, how would you describe it?

Thank you for the compliment. In fact, I don’t just stick to botanical tattoos, I can draw anything interesting. But most interests come from nature. That’s why I’m drawing a lot of things related to nature. When I draw for tattoos, I use an iPad and a coloured pencil brush the most. Sometimes I use a watercolour brush when I want to express it in a different way. My style is hard to describe in one word, but I think it’s a mixture of asian and western paintings. Since I majored in oriental painting, I think that kind of atmosphere naturally manifests itself.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Art work, films, landscapes, everything visual. Most of the subjects are nature, and the way of expression and colour are inspired by many things such as paintings and the scenery made by light.

You’re currently based in Korea, what’s the tattoo scene like there? Do you often tattoo tourists or mostly locals?

Mostly local. Korea’s tattoo scene has grown so quickly. As I said, Korea was a very conservative about tattoos but suddenly it became a trend. A lot of tattoo artists in Korea have good skills and a unique style.

How do you like to work with your customers to bring designs to life? Is it a collaboration, or do you prefer to have full control of your work?

Normally I prefer to have full control of my work. Clients come to me believing in my paintings and abilities so I want them to trust my aesthetic. Tattooing is based on mutual respect. So It’s important to find the middle point between what the customer wants and what I want.

Do you tattoo flash pieces or mostly custom?

Mostly custom I think. I’d love to do more flash works, but it takes a lot of time. Flash designs are good because I can present more in the direction I want.

What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

I want meet a lot of clients who can make a bond with me. I want to do more big pieces and develop my skills and style. And I want to draw many paintings and maybe even put on an exhibition.

Any other thoughts on the tattoo world itself?

It’s getting more competitive. With different styles emerging and blurring the boundaries between tattooing, painting and illustration, more artists seem to be entering the field.

It’s a good thing for the clients, but I’m not sure if it’s a good thing for an artist. Tattooing is not a must, so it’s also an industry that is badly hit by the economic situation. I think it’s been tough worldwide since COVID-19. Still, I love this job and I don’t think I’m going to quit art, so I try to survive.

Do you have any plans to travel for guest spots?

Maybe Europe. Since I started this work, I have become more brave. To live in a place I don’t know well, meet various people, experience culture, etc. After going through it, it’s not as difficult as worrying about it, but I think it’s a good experience to expand my world.

Make sure to follow Isle on Instagram for more stunning botanical tattoos.

We’re always talking to amazing tattoo artists, check out our latest interviews.

March 9, 2024March 9, 2024

Tattoos honouring a mother’s love

A mother’s love is said to be unconditional – an unbreakable bond like no other. Something so meaningful it needs to find a home permanently on your skin in ink. Editor Rosalie chats to tattoo artists and collectors about their mother tattoos and the stories behind them…

Tattoo artist Zipporah Hunt (@tattoosbyzipporah)

“I’ve done quite a few mother and daughter portraits now. They have become more and more popular. It’s lovely to see a design come to life that represents a mother and child’s love.”

” I have a baby girl on the way and I will be looking for someone to create something similar for me when the time comes. It’s been lovely tattooing while pregnant. It’s nice to hear positive birth stories from my customers. I’ve not got a tattoo to represent my own mum but if I did it would be something expressive yet minimalistic.”

Tattoo artist Hollie West (@hollietoldmeto)

“This tattoo is definitely a favourite of mine. It’s on a woman who got in touch with me and kindly travelled to get this special tattoo, she wanted to commemorate the feeling of motherhood and love for her two children.”

“This tattoo experience was lovely, we got on really well and found we spoke a lot about our motherhood experiences – I do that with a lot of women I tattoo (and men, although I tattoo a lot less of them, the conversation generally moves to parenthood). It always makes me reflect on my own experiences, it’s nice to compare notes and swap stories and listen to other parents about their lives and how their children fit into it. I love listening to people’s birth stories too, if they’re happy to talk about it. “

“When it comes to tattooing women, as a mother, it can also bring up occasions when customers talk about their own struggles to conceive or even trying to figure out whether they want children or not too.”

“I had both of my children’s names tattooed on my hands not long before returning to work, so it felt like I had them with me even when we were apart”

Tattoo collector Corinne

“In 2013, I had an ectopic pregnancy. I’d been trying to get pregnant for a while and after waking one night in excruciating pain I was rushed into hospital where I found out I was finally pregnant, but unfortunately it was ectopic. Not long after I had the lyrics: ‘there is a light that never goes out’ tattooed on my side, because that’s how it feels when you lose a baby. At the time, I only had a few tattoos, so I just went to a guy in town to have it done and it wasn’t great.”

“But I started getting tattooed more and more, and discovered so many amazing artists. A few years later, I was lucky enough to get tattooed by Susanne König (@suflanda) and after two tattoos from her I knew I wanted her to do a new tattoo in memory of the baby I lost. I really clicked with Susanne and I have loved everything I’ve ever seen her draw so I knew she’d create the most beautiful tattoo for me.

“I emailed her with my idea, but for the most part left it up to her – I feel you get the best art when the artist isn’t too constrained. When I saw the drawing it was more beautiful and special than I could ever have imagined. I couldn’t get over the expression she’d captured in the mother’s face.”

“It’s my most favourite and meaningful tattoo and I’m so happy I got it from a wonderful woman. I went on to have a baby through IVF in 2017, my daughter loves it and she thinks the baby is her.”

“I guess really it’s just the perfect depiction of a mother’s love for the babies we have and the babies we have lost”

Tattoo artist Alice Boullin (@alicepeppatattoo)

“My client, Molly, sent Klimt’s The Three Ages Of Woman as a reference – as well as some other tattoos inspired by the original artwork. She asked for an overall softer look and was open to interpretation in my style. We focused on the embrace as this was an important nod to my client’s mum who passed away a few years ago. I don’t often base tattoos solely off an artists’ work, but I really enjoyed re-imagining this one.”

“I am heavily inspired by renaissance and baroque artists, particularly when it comes to designing pieces based on Greek and Roman mythology. This was a really lovely thing to tattoo – it made me think of the unique kind of love that exists between a parent and their child. I really wanted to capture tenderness in the mother’s expression and a feeling of safety and comfort for the child – I hope I did that.”

Tattoo collector Molly

“My mum died of cancer when I was a teenager and the tattoo represents that everlasting maternal love between mum and baby. Love that endures even if mum or child has passed away. The tattoo is permanent to remind me that I still embody that love – I am tied to her even though I can’t reach out and touch her anymore. The Klimt painting was just inspiration and Alice captured the embrace perfectly.”

“My mum was the most amazing selfless woman and if I had to choose my mum again, I would choose her”

Tattoo collector Cicely Jackson (@cicely.rae)

“My mum and mother tattoos were both done by @shedwolf in Huddersfield, my hometown. I wanted a tattoo that would serve as an everyday reminder of my mum, who sadly died in 2005, and I love how special the tattoo looks.”

“My mum tattoo is actually a matching tattoo that I got with my sister, in honour of what would have been our mum’s 60th birthday. It felt like such a celebration getting this tattoo together and for an event that would have been such a big one to celebrate if my mum were still alive.”

“I had wanted my knuckles tattooed for so long but I always felt like it was such a huge commitment, and I really wanted to find a word that fit my knuckles and also meant a lot to me”

“I love my MOTHER tattoo so much, as it combines my love for being a mum, as well as honouring the mum I lost. I have always wanted to be a mum, and when my daughter was born it gave me that mother/daughter connection that I had been missing for so long. I really feel like this tattoo represents that.”

“I got my mother tattoo before Mother’s Day and that felt like a real treat to me. A lovely day of self care getting a tattoo that meant so much to me as a mum and as a daughter.”

“Both the kewpie tattoos for my children were done by @wolfspit in Manchester. I have always loved Jemma’s kewpie baby tattoos and knew I would get one once I had a baby of my own. We put so much thought into naming our kids and both hold such strong meanings, I love that Jemma could work that into the designs.”

“My son is called Abel Wolfe so his tattoo includes him cuddling a baby wolf. My daughter is named after Lilith, the first woman on earth who was banished from Eden, and rumour has it she returned as the snake that tempted Eve, so her tattoo includes her sliding down a snake. These tattoos mean so much to me and I love that they are pride of place on my arm.”

“I am so happy with my current collection for my mum and my children, I don’t have any plans set in stone for anything else. Although my daughter does keep doing some really cute drawings of flower fairies and I’m so tempted to get one in a little gap. Both the kids have some phrases that me and my husband really love and we have discussed getting a matching one related to that.”

Tattoo artist Hollie (@hollielimertattoo)

“This was my customer Alisia’s first tattoo to commemorate the birth of her first baby, Everly. Alisia sent me a photo of her holding Everly in this position, as well as a few other mother and baby references she liked. Alisia specified this hairstyle as that’s how she wears hers. The flowersare cherry blossom, which is Everly’s birth flower. It’s always special when someone trusts me with their first tattoo but this felt even more special. I’ve done a few mother and baby tattoos and I always love translating someone’s memories into something they’ll wear forever.”

Tattoo collector Alisia

“This was my first tattoo and the experience was great. Hollie made me feel relaxed offering lots of breaks if needed. I wanted someone to represent my first daughter and our bond, I always wanted a tattoo but really wanted something with meaning.”

“My daughter had colic at a young age and was very uncomfortable and upset a lot as a baby. This position used to always comfort her and soothe her and to this day it’s a position that makes her feel safe and comforted. It just reminds me of my little girl as a baby.”

Tattoo artist Taryn McElvany (@tarynmce_tattoo)

“The client was wanting to celebrate her own journey through motherhood and breastfeeding. She was great to work with and gave me the general idea and let me run with the artwork. I really enjoyed getting to make this piece for her. I have three daughters and it reminded me of those sweet moments when they were babies.”

Tattoo artist Melanie Milne (@melaniemilnetattoos), Hot Copper Studio, Melbourne, Australia

“I’ve done quite a few mother and baby tattoos, I love connecting with clients over being a mother/parent. Children are the most important thing in most parents’ lives and it makes sense you’d want to get a tattoo to immortalise that.”

“This tattoo’s story (above) is that the client is a friend of mine who has given birth to three babies and is now done having kids. She wanted to express her love of being pregnant and bringing humans into the world. Birth is so magical and transformative.”

“Being a mum has changed a few things for me in terms of tattooing. I have less free time so I have to be more efficient getting my drawings done and making sure I’m home in time for bedtime. Tattooing used to be my main priority but that has changed now.”

“I also think being a parent makes you softer, I’m definitely more affected by people getting memorial tattoos, especially for their children or just hearing stories of loss or fertility struggles”

“My wonderful friend Sera Helen made me the most beautiful tattoo of a charm necklace with my son’s name OZZY on my neck. I got it on my first Mother’s Day so it was very special. I’m pregnant with my second baby now, due in July, so I’ll have to come up with something for them as well.”

“Ozzy is 14 months, he hasn’t really noticed any difference between tattooed and non-tattooed people yet. I’m sure it won’t be long. My husband and I are both pretty heavily covered so I’m sure there will be questions in a few years.”

If you love finding out about the people behind the tattoos read our latest blogs:

March 6, 2024March 6, 2024

“On one hand, there’s tremendous value to be found in the old ‘gatekeepers’ of tattooing, their respect for techniques and history… on the other, that knowledge was often inaccessible – especially as a young female tattooer,” tattooist, Charlotte Timmons

Tattoo artist Charlotte Timmons (@charlotte.e.tattoos) is known for her creepy cute tattoos – we’re obsessed with her iconic cat ghosts. Having made the move from the Birmingham in the UK to work at Grit N Glory in New York, here she shares more about her tattoo journey and the ever-changing tattoo world…

When did you start tattooing and how did you start in the industry?

I can barely remember when I started tattooing at this point, but it must have been around 2009, so we’re going back about 15 years.

How have you seen the industry change since then?

It’s very difficult to answer this succinctly because it’s changed so much. As a mid-millennial, it’s crazy how much I’ve seen technology evolve in my lifetime – and that’s had an impact on every industry in so many ways.

For me, tattooing has evolved in really good and really bad ways because of both the influence of social media and culture more generally. On one hand, there’s actually tremendous value to be found in the old ‘gatekeepers’ of tattooing – their respect and reverence for techniques and history, and the humility expected from people getting into the industry are lessons I internalised. On the other hand, that knowledge was often inaccessible – especially as a young female tattooer – and that it isn’t so much the case now.

As someone who loves to do guest spots in different places, it’s always fun to find fresh and conflicting opinions about where the industry is headed. Suffice to say, in my experience, the best people in the industry, both old and new, are the people who value and care for their customers, and are grateful to do the job. Not the people who always need to buy another ticket for their ego.

You tattoo in New York now, how was the move from the UK? What inspired you to move?

It was really difficult. I went from a full calendar and a shop full of people I loved like family to barely any bookings and a shop full of new people I didn’t know yet. Then a pandemic hit – which made me feel I had made a huge mistake.”

“The culture of New York is highly competitive, innovative, fast paced, expensive and exhausting. And if I think about it, I don’t really know what inspired me to move here. It’s more like I did something really insane and then made up the reason later – like a lot of my favourite tattoos.

I had hit 30 and was watching a lot of friends and family settle down. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, I just felt this restlessness in my gut that I had to do *something*. When the thought came up to move to NYC after guesting there, I thought, why not? It’s kind of insane, but New York forced me to grow into a person closer to the one I wanted to be, so it was the right decision.

How is the tattoo scene different over there?

I’d say I tattoo more people of colour in New York than I used to, which is a great thing that has helped me grow as an artist, and to see different tones heal on different skin types is important for the planning of a design. I grew up in a fairly diverse community, but most of the people of colour I knew were from conservative or religious families, so they rarely had tattoos.

The tattoo scene here is as vibrant as anywhere, but there are so many people here that you have to find your specific niche or it’s highly competitive for work.

How would you describe your style and what do you love to tattoo?

My style has sort of been coined as ‘Illustrative Neo-traditional’. It’s a pretty good description. It’s like I can’t decide what lane I’m in so I just throw a bit of everything I’ve learned from people in every style into it. I love animals and floral, and I love creepy stuff and fantasy stuff the most. The themes of traditional are classics for a reason, but I’m become more interested in flow, and fitting things to the body shape.

Is there something you’d like to do more of?

I would love to do some darker themes, and some bigger more ‘stripped back’ stuff, but I also appreciate that a lot of my work is really ‘cute’ and intricate and that’s why people go for it. It’s not like I want to tattoo skulls all day, but I would love to lean more into that occasionally because I feel like I want to fine-tune that area to be a better all-round tattooer.

Have you found you’re known for a particular subject?

My little cat ghosts. Creepy cute stuff, animal portraits, and undoubtedly the most ‘famous’ tattoos I’ve made are of moths.

What’s been your proudest tattoo moment?

It’s hard to pick one but a girl said to me at a show here in the US that she followed my work when she was a teenager, and it inspired her to tattoo. And a woman once sent me a picture her 14-year-old had drawn based on one of my tattoos. Both sort of took me aback because no matter how old I get, I always have this imposter syndrome and feel kind of irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. So to have people notice anything you’ve done, and say you specifically inspired them to draw or tattoo feels really profound.

Any future plans you’d like to share with us?

I am currently living happily in NYC, but have guest spots around the US lined up for the spring and summer. Hopefully I’ll be visiting the UK later in the year too, but I can’t make any concrete plans just yet. I’m hoping to be back a few times in the next couple of years too.

Make sure to follow Charlotte on Instagram for more cute tattoos – and hopefully some skulls, too!

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