People started queuing at 7am to choose a design from the specially drawn flash sheets and then book in.
We arrived at Scratchline Tattoo in Kentish Town towards the end of a very long day; each tattooist had done 10 or more designs one after the other.
Jack, 23 from Toronto got his first tattoo and we quizzed him on his experience. I like to think, that along with the lovely and chatting Susanna, we kept his mind off the pain.
The pain turned out to be pretty much what he expected and the small black line design didn’t take long.
Jack chose the broken bottle design as he’s “been drinking a lot on this trip, it stuck out”; no one needs any other reason than that they like it! He chose to get tattooed on Friday 13th as it was a “pretty sweet opportunity on the last few days of my trip”.
He’s already planning more and is even considering following up an apprenticeship when he returns to Canada.
On seeing his freshly inked tattoo “that’s fucking dope, I love it!” I’m guessing he enjoyed the after tattoo buzz!
Did you get a Friday 13th Tattoo? We’d love to see it!
Tattoo artist Axa Shireen talks to us about growing up between suburban Manchester and dangerously enchanting Afghanistan and how art has always been a driving force, steering her towards new worlds, whether these be tattooing or love. The sense of her own identity comes from not constraining herself with boundaries, but embracing it all…
Her interview is accompanied with stunning images of ornate sarees, intricate henna and a peacock stealing a sneaky glance at beautiful Axa covered in glittering finery.
Laura Jane Grace – Page 57
Photo by Heather Shuker
Our music editor Jen Adamson interviews Laura Jane Grace from Against Me!, formally Tom Gables, about her struggle to show the world who she really is. Laura explains how her song lyrics allowed her to explore and release her inner self, allowing her to cross the lines of socially defined gender boundaries. Laura has many crow tattoos, these important birds have perhaps given her the wings she needed in order to be free…
Tattooing in Prison – Page 34 and New York Prisoner – Page 38
Ever wondered how inmates tattoo each other when tattooing is prohibited in prisons? What do they use for ink? How do they make a machine? The men behind their crimes are revealed in their honest discussion of prison life. In jail, tattoos become even more important, playing the part of a bargaining tool as well as a seemingly simple way to pass the hours. This was one aspect of the prisoners’ lives that the officers could not control and they weren’t going to give up.
Meet the Customers – Page 26
Photo by Heather Shuker
Meet tattooist Dominique Holmes and her customers, in The Royal Albert pub (where we did the photo shoot), why not follow their lead and crack out the vino! Unique relationships are built when people are regularly tattooed by the same artist, way more so than if they had stepped off the street for a bit of flash. Dom and her customers alike explore how tattoos add to their sense of identity and how both their friendships and art have evolved.
To read these articles in full purchase your copy of The Identity Issue here
I got my first tattoo when I was 18. My boyfriend was getting some script to begin his Japanese sleeve and I had always loved the idea of having a tattoo. I jumped in feet first, literally, having a floral henna design on my foot. The pain was enough for me to wait three years until I got another tattoo, contrary to a friend who said it had merely felt like a scratch.
Ever since I have been covering and attempting to hide my tattoos from my Grandparents. I’m not ashamed or anything like that, I just cannot be bothered to listen to the disappointing lecture that I’m sure will ensue. This will be similar to the ones concerning my A-levels and wishes to travel.
Maybe I’m wrong but I have heard their disapproving remarks before when faced with tattooed women. They are certainly traditional, perhaps a prudish couple- I have never seen them hold hands, god forbid kiss! I am the only member of my family who is tattooed, bar one uncle who has a small tattoo of his football team’s logo. The outrage and disbelief that this tiny piece of ink caused was enough for me to purposely cover my own spreading collection.
My Grandma turns eighty this weekend and I have been on a desperate search to find a long sleeved maxi dress, so that the dinner remains a celebration of her birthday and not a discussion about my life choices.
I’m sure my grandparents are not alone in their feelings, during their time they have seen tattoos growing in popularity. Perhaps they recognise them as a sign of time spent in prison, or hanging around sailors at dockyards, and possibly prostitution. I’m speculating here, I have never dared to ask them directly their opinion on the tattooed community, but from their past comments concerning tramp stamps I am not willing to take the risk of bearing all just yet.
Surprisingly though during a recent visit with my friend to her Grandparents, I was encouraged to show off my legs. Her grandma was enthralled by the colourful designs that I have acquired. She even joked that her husband’s legs would be much improved with a nice tattoo. Her delight may be due to the fact that I am not her granddaughter, who has no tattoos. I am someone else’s family; she has not seen my immaculate skin as a baby being transformed into living art! My Grandparents are not a deterrent, I have many tattoos planned, but I almost enjoy finding new clothes to wear to hide them, as well as having a sneaky piece of ink visible to see if they catch me out!
I can’t believe that I am the only one who makes every effort to cover their ink, or are you lucky and your grandparents approve of your tattoos? Do your grandparents have more tattoos than you?
Emily Vine is tattooist Kodie Smith’s girlfriend, she runs jewellery company With Love Treasures and is a qualified make-up artist. We met up with her to her to chat about her boob job, tattoos, and how they have made her a more confident woman.
Emily Vine
What made you decide to get your boob job?
From around the age of 17 I’d always thought about having a boob job as I was never really happy with them. I started going to various cosmetic groups for consultations when I was 18 years old to get more of an insight into the surgery and see what each company had to offer. Overall I must have had consultations with about eight different companies until last year I went to MYA for a consultation and immediately knew they were the company for me. I’m only a month post surgery so they still have a lot of changing to do but I can honestly say it is one the best decisions I have made.
by Gemma B (helfire)
Was it a hard decision?
Being 100% sure on the company and surgeon was a pretty difficult decision but the actual surgery itself I was adamant I wanted. The build up to the actual procedure was so exciting that I am a little gutted its over but now I have the results I’ve always wanted.
You already had a chest piece prior to your surgery, has the tattoo changed at all?
As I knew I wanted a breast augmentation since I was 17, it was something I took into careful consideration before getting the tattoo done. I was worried it might distort the tattoo and that was something I didn’t want to happen. I got my chest piece done last January and I told my artist that I was going to have my boobs done sometime in the near future and she said that it would be fine. I trusted her opinion and went ahead with my tattoo. Just as she said, my tattoo hasn’t changed at all even though when I put my sports bra on, the pendant that sits in between my boobs vanishes but that isn’t something that bothers me.
Chestpiece by Gemma B (helfire)
Do you plan on any other kind of cosmetic surgery?
We all have imperfections that we wouldn’t mind changing, which is completely natural, but I don’t hate anything else enough to put myself through surgery again. A while back I was considering getting my nose done but the recovery doesn’t look like too much fun so I think I’ll avoid that. I might have lip fillers in the future, as it’s something I have been looking into, but that’s a simple procedure that doesn’t involve going under the knife so to speak.
Do you think cosmetic surgery changes the way you see yourself?
Most definitely. It’s such a life-changing experience going from living with something that bothered you everyday to finally being happy with how it looks. I feel like there’s a lot of stigma surrounding cosmetic surgery, and granted sometimes it’s taken a little too far, but everyone should have the chance to improve something about themselves if they want to. It’s all about how you feel in yourself, not what anyone else thinks.
Tattoo by Amy Savage
Are you confident because you’re tattooed?
Personally, yes. They have made me a lot more confident. My tattoos are one of my favourite things about myself and make me focus a lot less on silly minor flaws. I feel so grateful to have some absolutely beautiful work on my skin from the likes of Gemma B (Helfire), Amy Savage, Kodie Smith, Anthony Cole, Rose Whittaker and so on. I will definitely feel amazing once my Eckel sleeve is in progress too.
How do you feel about your boyfriend Kodie (Smith) tattooing you?
I feel honoured to have his work on my skin. I’m such a proud girlfriend of how far he has come in such a short space of time and I love how modest he is about it. We are currently in the process of planning my foot tattoos which I’m excited but nervous about.
Tattoo by Emily’s boyfriend Kodie Smith
What is your favourite tattoo?
This is such a difficult one to answer because I have a lot of tattoos I adore but if I had to pick just one, my chest piece is definitely a favourite. It came out better than I expected and it’s such a solid piece. The artist behind quite a lot of my work including my chest piece is Gemma B (Helfire). She is such a talented artist who I feel doesn’t get enough recognition for her work.
