Tag: Tattooer

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Catching up with tattoo artist Mimi-Sama

When we first spoke to Anna “Mimi-Sama” back in 2018 she was a travelling tattooer beginning to specialise in manga tattoos. Since then she’s settled at Black Serum Tattoo in San Francisco and has become even more sought after for her blackwork and manga style. We caught up with Anna to chat all things tattooing the pandemic and what’s changed in the past four years…

When we last spoke to you you were a travelling artist has this changed? Indeed, it has changed as I settled in San Francisco in July last year. Before that I was in Montreal for just over a year. Of course, the pandemic had a big influence on me as travelling has been very complicated. So I took this opportunity to settle and find new exciting work opportunities. Later in 2022 I will travel again within the US as I’ll be at lots of conventions and guest spots.

What was it about the city that made you want to settle there? I chose San Francisco for several reasons. Firstly I met Brucius Xylander, the owner of Black Serum Tattoo a few years ago. I really liked his way of thinking and I loved the shop he had built. The second reason is the city itself. It’s a vibrant and cultural city, where a lot of our modern era changes come from. The weather is great, the people are nice and the city and surroundings are beautiful.

What’s the studio like? The studio is bigger than when I visited it a few years ago, but it has kept the art at the heart of everything. Brucius keeps his place entertaining and inspiring for the people who visit it with an array of art and craft objects. But what I really like the most is the opportunity I have to meet great artists from everywhere. Every month, we have artists from Asia, Europe and other places in the US visiting us, it’s a wonderful place of artistic exchanges.

While you were still a travelling artist was there a place that stood out to you? I worked for almost a year in Tokyo in 2019 in the Ichi Tattoo studio. Living and working there has definitely had a big influence on me. I was thrilled that I got to live amongst Japanese pop culture and it gave me more confidence about my own style and art. It was a special time in my life and for my family who were there with me.

Tattooers and tattoos aren’t very welcome in Japanese society, so I was very lucky to have the chance to tattoo there in one of the best shops in the city. It was definitely helped me to develop my technique and art.

How has the pandemic affected you? How have you found the lockdowns, did that have an affect on your creativity? Yes, of course, it’s had an impact on my work. First of all, I had a lot of tattoo conventions planned. When they were cancelled it was a huge financial loss as the reimbursement has been very difficult. We have to be empathetic though as everyone has suffered, but yeah it has been quite difficult at times. In addition, the studio I was working at had to close for several months. But, I don’t want to complain as it was the same for everyone! 

When it comes to my creativity, I think it was positive in the end. I am a workaholic and I don’t take as much time as I would like to for other things beside tattooing. So the lockdowns were a good opportunity to spend more time with my family, do more research about Japanese art (my biggest inspiration) and of course read mangas and watch anime!

Since we last chatted has your style changed? Would you say you’ve grown as an artist? Yes I do! Having a change of environment and perhaps moving a little bit less made me focus more on my technique. I can say that I have reached a higher level in terms of blackwork techniques, such as whipping and dotting. I have really progressed in the use of different textures and the management of light contrast.

Also I changed some of the tools I work with (my machine and needles) and I am now able to work with thinner needles with a great effect, even after healing (like in this Totoro tattoo).

You’re known for your manga tattoos, is there any character or film you haven’t tattooed yet and would like to? I would like to do some Gunnm tattoo projects. It is the manga that I started with as a teenager and I haven’t had the opportunity to tattoo it yet. But I am quite happy about the diversity of projects that I have, even if I would love to tattoo more of Dorohedoro manga, as it is a good match with my style!

Do you see yourself moving away from this style? Does it still excite you? It still excites me for sure. I am trying to put more of my own style into my creations. That’s why I came up with my concept of Mangala which is mix of manga and mandala. I really like the graphic blackwork and I really want to pursue this style alongside my love of manga. I really believe it’s a great combination and makes for unique tattoo pieces.

Can you tell us about your own tattoos: when did you get your first one, do you still love it and do you have a favourite tattoo? Similar to lots of other tattooers, my first one is far from being my best. But I still love it as it is a part of my personal journey. My favourite one is a rabbit made by one of my great friends Mademoiselle Hirondelle.

This tattoo tells a very personal story and she took the time to listen and draw something that incorporates that. The whole process has been very cathartic for me and it’s definitely an important moment in my life and on my skin.

With that tattoo in mind do you think all tattoos have to have meaning? Not at all! Just get a tattoo because it is fun! When you try to put too much emotion and meaning behind a tattoo, it can easily fade away before the tattoo itself! Of course, it’s not always the case, but I see it happen from time to time. In life and in my work I like to keep positive and fun, so I always advise people to have a positive feeling when it comes to their tattoo project.

We spoke before about motherhood and tattooing, what does your little one think of your job and tattoos? She is 4 years old now, but I don’t think she sees my work differently from other people’s work. For her, the main thing is mommy leaves in the morning and comes back in the evening.

She may be more interested in the temporary tattoos you find in candies than other kids but that’s it! She had a phase where she liked to draw on herself but it passed.

Make sure to follow Mimi-Sama on Instagram for more manga and blackwork tattoos.

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Awakening dreams: Maxime Etienne

Transforming dreams into tattoos and bodies into works of art – tattoo artist Maxime Etienne, owner of Leonart studio in Bondi, Sydney, Australia chats to us about his humble beginnings, the process behind his designs and his charity work…

I have been getting tattoos since I was 18 and always loved art in terms of creation. Painting, sculpting, drawing and tattooing have always been industries I’ve wanted to work in. But, I never thought I could have the skills to do any of them until I tried to draw in late 2016. I started drawing with a lot of geometry pattern and in an abstract version of realism.

I started tattooing in late 2016 at home when I realised I could actually draw a little. I wanted to get more tattoos but couldn’t afford them. So I ordered a $40 tattoo kit on eBay and started to practice on my legs, my arms and even my chest and stomach before tattooing some friends.

I never thought I could be a professional artist of any kind. But after tattooing a decent number of friends for the about eight months loads of people contacted me via Instagram and my follwers increased. I realised that maybe I could become a real tattoo artist one day. One night I met a bunch of tattooists that loved my chest piece that I did myself. They told me “if you can do that on yourself and it heals that way then you can definitely become a tattoo artist.”

So, after roughly 10 months I decided to apply for my licence here in Australia and started in a studio as soon as I received it. After 10 months working in that studio, I opened my own and now it has been two years and I work more than I ever expected.

After some researc I discovered so many artists that inspired me and realised what I like is already there and what I could do would be appreciated by a certain audience. I pushed my creativity further and came up with what I do today. Realism, abstract and detailed pieces that are done to tell a story or express a feeling. I am inspired by everything that comes into my mind and what I love. Nature, animals, astronomy, women’s features, architecture and scientific research illustrations.

Most of my designs are from my clients’ stories. I am trying to turn their feelings, dreams, or their past into images. I design everything one day before the appointment and finalise it on the day after asking further questions. I work that way because I really put myself into their story or project and so I don’t work on several designs at the same time. I only book one client a day to ensure we can get the best out of their future tattoo.

I see myself as a designer more than someone who draws, as I often mix up several elements all together.

I try to give my designs the best contrast and shape for the placement that is given to me. I cannot freehand my designs as they require great details and geometry. Floral and extra small pieces in a piece can sometimes be free-handed, but I prefer having a stencil on to ensure the result will be the best and let my client really visualise what it will look like.

My style is really hard to describe in one word. It is composed of micro realism, abstract and geometry. A dream project would be a full body covered of many designs that would express the wish of freedom and the love for nature and earth. I love the diagram patterns used from engineers and would attach all designs together that way to turn the body into an actual book of human feelings and perception of life on our planet. What we are doing on earth, thanking it for the beauty of it and mixing different feelings most of us are going through to express our strength and fragility.

I see my art lasting through time as I am constantly trying to evolve, learn and create. I am a dreamer and a hard worker at the same time. I always give everything I have to achieve my goals, but if one day my art isn’t appreciated any more and I am forced to only execute clients’ thoughts without having the opportunity to create on my own, then I will do something else.

Tattooing became a passion, it’s more than a job. It has never been a way to make money for me, but a dream that became true – to live by doing what I love and making people happy.

Tattooing is an industry where we are in contact with people for hours and deep conversations occur during the process of tattooing. I’ve met so many incredible people that have told me real stories of what they have been through and their issues. Which are unfortunately not mentioned enough to a general audience, including domestic violence issues. I have been raised by my grandmother and my mother and grew up with one sister. Women are everything, they made me who I am today.

I work with an organisation called Karmagawa created by two really close friends of mine, Mat Abad and Thimoty Sykes. I travel with them and help them on different events around the world and design clothes for charity. They both inspire me not only with their charity work, but with their personalities and open minds. They showed me that we can do more than just work for ourselves and we must all help when we can.

Domestic violence, which isn’t always physical, on children and women is something I would really like to help with. Organisations are here to help those in need and money is often necessary to ensure they can keep running. Doing a tattoo fundraiser isn’t only for the money but to reach people that might be in need or even to help them realise what happens to them isn’t normal.

Social media as a platform is powerful, me doing a tattoo fundraiser with posts and stories might push other artists to do so too. I have done similar with the Australian bush fires and given the money to people that were helping those on the spot not just to the organisation.

That’s what I would like to do here. I would like to raise money of course by giving all the profit to organisations, but I am sure that just posting about it could help to raise awareness and I will do that a couple of times every year. My future project is to open a studio in Amsterdam and work with artists that will be willing to do some flash days every year for different causes.

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Bonnie Maxwell: Autism and the tattoo industry

Bonnie Maxwell, self proclaimed ‘Autistic Queen’ is a tattoo apprentice at Gun and Pedal Tattoo Studio in Brighton. Since sharing her experiences as a person with autism in the tattoo industry on Instagram, we knew we had to speak to Bonnie and find out more about her story…

What made you want to become a tattoo artist? I sort of just fell into it, I always knew I was going to do something creative with my life as drawing is everything to me. I have a first class degree in Illustration from Brighton University so from there I’ve had multiple creative jobs, but never felt I could really be myself in them, tattooing felt natural to me and the thought of being my own boss as a queer autistic woman felt empowering.

What do you love to tattoo or draw, what inspires you? To put it simply, I am a neo-traditional artist who loves colour, animals and nature and anything in between. A lot of my inspiration comes from concept sketches and video games and even from my love of Pokémon, just a huge mix of drawing Pokemon for years and translating that into something I enjoy. I like using colour and subject themes and sometimes limiting my colour palette and drawing in a way that fits the space and canvas perfectly. 

When did you get your autism diagnosis? Can you tell us about this? Absolutely, so I have always known there was something different about me – even when I was younger, I never really had an interest in having loads of friends or doing all the “normal” things a teenager would. I was more interested in my hobbies and my art.

I was officially diagnosed in November 2019 at the age of 27. Up until this point I really struggled socially and didn’t have a clue that I might be autistic, just because the general portrayal of people with autism is very different, and what most don’t realise is that it’s a spectrum and women can present differently to men. Women have the ability to mask, to blend in, which means obtaining a diagnosis can be such a challenge as women can appear to seem “normal”. I was lucky enough, but there are still so many out there who need that support. 

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Can you tell us about your experiences within the tattoo industry? Have you struggled with apprenticeships before? Where do I start? So I’ve basically struggled with every apprenticeship I’ve been in, I’m in my fifth now and I’m totally okay with that. My current studio have been super supportive and just let me tattoo and get on with it and that’s all I ask for. I’ve been in a few different kinds of apprenticeships, each with different ways of doing things and I have picked up tips from each, but never managed to really stay at a studio so predominantly I am self-taught.

I feel like there isn’t an understanding of disabilities, even in this industry. I have experienced bullying first hand which is never okay and those artists should feel ashamed.

I have tried to fit in with studio banter, I’ve been called lazy which is insulting as there’s not a day that goes by where I’m not drawing. I’ve had people tell me to fake it ’til I make it, pretend to be confident, to look busy and talk to the customers all the time, even though all I wanted to do was avoid the drama and draw. I didn’t want to lose another apprenticeship because I didn’t do what my mentor asked, but because of my disability, I didn’t feel like I could change myself to fit a mould and this became overwhelming so most of the time I ended up leaving.

Because of my autism I don’t really have a filter and most of the time I will just say it as it is, which can get me into trouble and I don’t always understand that this could be wrong. Because I have poor organisational skills, I mostly forget what I’ve been told to do and this can make it seem like I’m lazy. I have strong beliefs in right and wrong and will correct someone without realising, I also have a lot of sensitivities – like if people are talking over each other and music is too loud, it’s physically painful. For eight hours a day, I avoid eye contact and social interaction which can be exhausting. These are all things I’ve come across in a studio setting. This is just my experience and how I’ve felt, but may be completely different in a more understanding studio or for someone else with a disability.

What do you find most challenging about tattooing? Tattooing itself feels like the most natural career for me, it’s the personalities and egos that make it challenging especially in those that have very specific views on what an apprenticeship should be. Social engagement is hard enough when you have autism, so having to deal with other people makes the job harder. I feel like some still believe an apprenticeship should be a challenge and something gruelling that you have to earn, which may have been how they did it back in the day, but now anyone can tattoo. Just because your mentor was treated badly and had a hard time in their apprenticeship doesn’t mean you should be treated the same.

There’s also no job security, so as an apprentice you are completely dispensable. As someone with autism or a disability, you will have your own way of learning and adapting a task to make it more manageable. When I was trying to do a traditional apprenticeship and be someone’s cleaner for a year, I didn’t feel like I was progressing much. Although I did learn about cleanliness and health and safety, I learned this from artists outside of my apprenticeships and made my own cleaning routine.

I know I may upset some by saying this but I believe if someone has the artistic talent and promise to do well they should be able to learn in a way that encourages this and is accommodating with their disabilities. Tattooing should be accessible to all.

In what ways do you think your autism helps you and makes you a better tattooer? Ooh now how to start this without coming across as arrogant or blunt. My brain is wired differently so I have a completely different view of the world. It may be different to others with the same disability, but for me I can see and view things in a very unique way. People with autism tend to have special interests which means we have intense interest in certain subjects or hobbies. Some like bikes or watches I have an intense interest in art and tattooing, not to mention my not-so-secret love for Pokemon. That love will never die.

So for me instead of going out and socialising or drinking or doing anything else, I spend 90 per cent of my time doing something tattoo related, whether it’s researching needle groupings, or learning techniques, or finding out about the different types of aftercare or working on how I can give my client a great experience and tattoo. I have the ability to hyper-focus and draw for hours and hours without taking a break, I’m fast and can knock out three or four full colour flash sheets if I wanted in a single day.

Nobody can tell me I’m not passionate or cut out for this industry because I can’t complete a traditional apprenticeship, when I live and breathe art and tattooing every day. My clients love this about me and how much time and effort I put into my work for them.

Tattooing is not just a job or a rockstar lifestyle, it’s a passion. I am proud I’m autistic because I feel lucky to feel so passionate about what I do and this is what makes me feel like I make a better tattoo artist. 

What would you like your clients to know about you or is there anything they can do during the appointment or before that could help? So everyone with autism is different and will have different requirements and needs. For me, too much social interaction can feel exhausting so unless I know the client very well sometimes I don’t talk as much and just get on with the tattoo. That’s never a sign that I’m being rude, I would rather focus on getting the tattoo perfect for the client than to have to think of phrases and conversations. I have sensory issues so if I’m not feeling myself that day I may stick a headphone in so I don’t get overwhelmed. Again I don’t mean to be rude, it just helps me to give you the best tattoo I can.

Also change is a big scary thing for someone with autism, for me I could have a bit of a flap if a client changes their mind too much on the day of the tattoo, because with my disability I can’t process that change if I have planned out the tattoo. This seems like an explosion of information for the client but honestly it’s not that bad, all my clients have been awesome and understanding and are completely clear and let me do my thing. So far anyways…

What advice would you give studio owners or other tattooists who either have autism themselves or work with someone who is? Best advice to anyone in my shoes is to be honest and upfront with your mentor about your needs and discuss how you like to learn and what you both can do for each other to make sure no communication is lost. Never tolerate an apprenticeship that treats you badly or makes you do things that are completely not tattoo related or puts you in a position where you have to fit their mould. You are better than that.

There will always be people that will bully and drag you down especially when you are talented and different, but never let it get to you. The journey doesn’t matter, we all want to be in the same place. And to the mentors out there with an autistic apprentice or looking to take one on, my biggest advice for you would be to learn all you can about autism, learn about your apprentice’s needs and how they like to learn. Even for an autistic client this would be useful, ask if they would like the music turned down or an extra pillow for sensory issues. To be inclusive and knowledgeable will really have a positive impact on this industry.

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Apprentice Love: Hannah Elizabeth Gehrke

We just can’t get enough of new tattoo artists, and this is what fuels our Apprentice Love series. A selection of posts and interviews in which we like to showcase new talent in the industry. Hannah Gehrke is a tattoo apprentice at Broadside Tattoo in Swansea, UK, who our editor Rosalie was lucky enough to be tattooed by too. 

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How long have you been tattooing and how did you get into the industry? I’ve been tattooing for a little over two years and apprenticing at my shop, Broadside, for three years so far! I’m part of the herd; I did the normal thing of doing my A Levels and going to University where I studied counselling and psychology with the aim of being an art therapist, but it wasn’t panning out how I wanted it to. Art was still a big hobby of mine though, and half way through my final year of university when I was writing my dissertation and preparing my final exams, I saw Broadside advertising for an apprenticeship position and I just went for it!

Scott allowed me to apprentice at the shop whilst doing my university work which worked out well, and now I both have a degree and a job that I absolutely adore (I didn’t get the first in my degree I was hoping for, but we won’t talk about that). I wouldn’t change it for the world now. This is basically a form of art therapy anyway so I have the best of both worlds!

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What inspired you to become a tattoo artist? I’m going to say it: Miami Ink. It was always on the TV at home and it had a big impression on me. In my tweens I was watching it and just thinking, this is so cool! I love it! I didn’t know any people with tattoos then, so this TV show was really my only source of knowledge. As I grew, tattoos were slowly introduced to me by friends, and I’ve been hooked ever since. My mum booked her first tattoo in her 40s before I booked my first at 18, and I wasn’t having that so I snuck in an appointment before her. Sorry Mum!

I’ve always been creative and loved art at school, even though l ended up packing it in because I lost my spark and I didn’t think that pursuing any career in art was doable, let alone tattooing, or more so that I wasn’t capable enough, but here I am! Living my dream. Sometimes I can’t quite wrap my head around the fact I actually do this for a living and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. A little determination and perseverance goes a long way. I’ve had a lot of support from my family, friends and my boyfriend, and without them I don’t think I’d have done this and got to where I am today.

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How does it feel being a woman in the tattoo industry? It feels great and I’m honoured to be a part of it. I’m very much aware that tattooing is quite the male dominated industry, but times are changing and I’m very happy to be involved.

There are so many fantastic female artists out there who’re a huge source of inspiration to me, such as Lucy O’connell, Sadee Glover, Natalie Gardiner, Debbie Jones: I want to be like them one day! I also like to think that in 10 or so years time, maybe a young girl my age now will think, if she can do it, so can I. It’s all about supporting each other and holding each other up, and as much as I’m here for all my girls, I’m here for all my boys too.

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How would you describe your style? Has this changed since you started, what direction would you like it to go in? I’d say my style leans more towards colour neotraditional, but I bring a lot of illustrative, “organic” elements into my work too. Dotwork is also something I do a lot of. Generally, I just draw, and what comes out… comes out.

I’ve noticed big changes in style since I started tattooing, and it’s only been two years! I can’t wait to see what I’m working like in another two. As I’m still an apprentice, I’m still learning and adapting to different styles too. I’m happy to do traditional, black work, I’ve tried black and grey, script, Japanese and Maori… it’s adding more strings to my bow and I love learning new methods, however I would like to purely work in my own style one day, and the demand is growing which is amazing! But if someone wants something which isn’t my usual style, I’m more than happy to do it and I think being able to do a little bit of everything is important. I want to have my fingers in all the pies!

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What inspires your tattoos? Happiness! I love making people happy! Whether that happiness is derived from a majorly colourful Kewpie dressed as Dolly Parton, or a blackwork tombstone commemorating the death of your diet, if it makes you happy I’m all about it.

I work with some fantastic artists and Swansea has a lovely little hub of us who all to different styles, so there’s endless inspiration. I’m also a really big fan of vintage Hallmark designs and botany books, and I reference them throughout my work frequently. I take a lot of my own reference photos too, whether that be wildlife, plants or myself (I have nice hands, OK?!)

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What do you love to tattoo and what would you like to do more of? The list of things I love tattooing is endless! I really enjoy doing florals and botanicals, they’re always my go to, however I also absolutely adore tattooing the more obscure and personal. Does your nana have a brooch that you’ve always wanted to get your hands on? Did you really enjoy that hotdog you ate in New York back in 2011 and haven’t stopped thinking about it since? I want to tattoo it! I want you to have a memory to wear forever, and it’s such a wonderful feeling being part of the process and making it happen; I get to share and cherish your memories with you. Meaningful or meaningless (and it’s ok to get a tattoo with no meaning just because it looks cool!), I’ll work with whatever you want and do my best to turn it into a tattoo for you, and generally the more detail I can get into something, the better!

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How does tattooing make you feel? Including the tattoos you create and the tattoos you have on your own body. When I’m tattooing, I don’t think about anything else. I’m completely engrossed in what I’m doing and don’t have the time to think about anything but the tattoo; I’m in my own little bubble! Don’t get me wrong, throughout this learning process there have been tears and tribulations, but thankfully they’ve just made me work harder, and my will to succeed is huge. I really, really want to do well and there is absolutely nothing that can stop me. I’ll have my ups and downs, but that’s all part of it and I respect that.

I don’t think there’s any better feeling than completing a tattoo and not only being proud of it, but your client being proud of it too. I’m not in it just for myself, and I’m aware how much of an impact a tattoo can have on a client regardless of how big or small, simple or intricate, and I want them to walk away from the experience fulfilled because that’s how my own tattoos make me feel.

Tattoos have allowed me to accept and love the parts of my body I didn’t, show off my interests and memories… they’re more than just tattoos; they are my own personal accessories and I wear them all proudly, old and new. Tattoos and tattooing are a major source of joy in my life, and I want to share that with as many people as I can.

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Tattoo Artist: Laura McLean

Tattoo artist Laura McLean works out of South City Market in London, creating blackwork, blast overs and minimal styled tattoos. We caught up with Laura to find out more about the tattoos she creates and how she chooses to decorate her own body…

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What drew you to the blackwork style of tattoos? I love tattoos that are bold and impactful from the moment you look at them. My style has definitely changed quite a bit since I first started tattooing and I’m sure it will evolve more as I get further into my career, which I’m excited for.

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Is this the style that you have decided to decorate your own body with too? My tattoos on my own body are pretty varied. I have some realism, some blackwork, some fineline black and grey, some neo-traditional and a lot of shitty doodles that I did on my own legs before I knew how to tattoo. I don’t have any colour tattoos because I’ve just never been drawn to them. I pretty much have my whole body planned out, I just need to follow through with it all. The end goal is a lot more heavy blackwork.

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What inspired you to get tattooed and start tattooing others? I honestly don’t know! There was never really a question in my mind that I was going to get tattooed and tattoo other people, it was just a given, and I have a pretty impulsive personality so I never really gave it much thought.

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What do tattoos and tattooing mean to you? I’m obsessed with tattoos. They’re the only thing I’ve ever felt completely passionate about and the only way I feel I’m effectively able to express myself, both through my own tattooing and the tattoos I have on my body. I think tattoos are really important in that way. It makes me super grateful that I’m able to do this for a living at the most amazing studio surrounded by such talented artists.

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What sorts of things do you like to tattoo, is there anything you’d like to do more of? Something I’m looking to do more of in 2019 is large scale projects, the bigger the better. I’m keen to black out some limbs! And more blastovers! I’m a huge fan of the way blastovers look.

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Your style is fierce yet feminine, would you use these words to describe yourself and your work? I’ve always considered my work to be pretty balanced between the masculine and feminine. I definitely wouldn’t describe myself as feminine. I actually find describing my work really difficult, I still don’t really know how to answer that question despite being asked it a lot.