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I started tattooing in the mid 90’s when I was working towards my Bachelor of Honours degree at Derby University. I was lucky enough to get a job in Midland Tattoo Centre with the award-winning Kev Shercliff. At this time it was almost impossible to get an apprenticeship, especially as a woman! It was also very rare to find an artist who did custom tattooing, but Kev did! He was, as most artists of that era, a great all-rounder as well as being one of the top artists in the country at the time, doing every tattoo he was asked to do impeccably. He loved freehand Japanese and was one of the artists bringing black and grey portraits into the scene. Those biker doors were well and truly welded shut, but somehow I got my lucky break.
There were very few women in the industry, but there were two in particular that I looked up to and through Kev, I got to know Fiona Long and Theresa Gordon both amazing women and cutting edge ‘artists’ within the industry. It was at Midland Tattoo centre that I learned to tattoo. Then, after investing my student loan in tattoo equipment, it was from my Student dorms I honed my skills; studying by day, drawing and tattooing by night. I slowly but surely produced a catalogue of custom tattoo designs in an era of flash.
I have always loved the culture around tattooing and tattoo studios. But for my clients and for my own working environment I wanted a more relaxed and creative space.
Modern Body Art started from a dream to create a safe, warm and inviting environment for clients to be tattooed. A professional, creative, modern custom tattoo studio. Born from a time when most studios were “flash”, biker tattoo “parlours”, we wanted to move beyond that, offering custom designs when others offered only flash.
But we didn’t give up and our strive to create such a warming creative environment helped us to home some of the best up and coming artists, it was especially amazing to be able to welcome so many of the top female artists in the country.
We were also lucky to have opened our doors to countless guest artists from all over the world.
Sharing our love and passion for art and the industry.
Tattooing, painting, sharing stories and making friendships to cherish even when we live so far away from our fellow artists.
Reconnecting at tattoo conventions all over the world.
In 2007, after working many tattoo conventions around the world, the travel bug hit me and the opportunity emerged to embark on my ‘Sweet Sting’ world tour. I grabbed the chance and was lucky enough to be invited to write a travel tour diary for Total Tattoo magazine.
This enabled me to share some of my amazing stories from tattoo conventions that spanned continents. From Berlin to Russia, Paris to New Zealand, LA and Australia; making memories as well as tattoos.
I travelled around the globe exclusively for 5 years, sharing amazing studio spaces with some incredible artists, making a home from home with my wonderful friend Jeff Gogue where I honed in my painting skills and even appearing on Kat Von D’s LA Ink!
My travels even took me through Central America in a campervan on a year sabbatical, tattooing only like-minded travellers in the search of the next wave to surf!
I managed to fit in Yoga teacher training in Mysore, India and spent months at a time in Thailand.
Such amazing experiences bring about a different perspective and after having our first daughter Marley whilst on the road, our pull home to family became too strong.
After many years of juggling time between Birmingham and Shrewsbury, Modern Body Art’s lease is up and it’s time for everybody to move on.
It’s been 22 amazing years but it’s now time for everyone to take on new and fresh challenges, and for Hanumantra and me to concentrate all of our time here at UN1TY. It is now time for our business partners Matt Hunt and Frances Anne-Faith to embark on their next chapter. I am so excited for them and wish them all the luck in the world.
I would like to thank every receptionist, piercer, laser technician, artist, guest artist and most importantly, every single client who has supported us through the years. You are all truly appreciated and I will never forget the amazing times had by many at Modern Body Art.
To celebrate, we will be hosting a walk-in tattoo day on Saturday 2nd October 2021, from 11am.
We will have original paintings, prints and other memorabilia for sale from 4pm.
ALL PROCEEDS FROM TATTOOS AND ART WILL GO TO ‘MIND’ MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY.
Looking forward to seeing some of you there!
“So sorry to hear you are closing, but I am happy I got to spend some time there with everyone! Such a great shop with great people. Bets of luck on your new adventures” Tim Kern, Sideshow Alley, Portland USA.
“The end of an iconic studio, thank you for your part in pioneering the industry for so many years x.” Amy Autumn Tattoos.
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“What a legacy. Jo and Matt you lead where others followed. It was an absolute honour to be part of MBA. All the best to everyone.” Chris Earnshore.
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“Thank you for all the opportunities you gave to so many of us.” Vicky Morgan.
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