FINDING MY AUTHENTIC VOICE AS A TATTOOER.

One of the most common questions I get asked by other tattooers is “how do I find my tattoo style?” For some it’s obvious, but for many including myself, it wasn’t! I just loved tattooing and being able to create something special for the client whilst providing them with an experience they will cherish. The subject matter was less crucial. There were some things I enjoyed tattooing more than others, but for the most part, I was just happy tattooing!

After settling back in the UK after a 7-year world tour I found myself confused about where my tattooing was going. It served me well coming from an era of tattooing where I learned all disciplines. Enabling me to competently drop onto any style I was asked for. Now back in one spot and able to take on more regular clients again what was MY vision for my work? I had been to so many incredible places and met so many inspirational people. Overwhelmed with input and I didn’t know which way to turn! Asking the right questions is the first step! You can then find out the answers that resonate with you and that’s what will make your work unique. So what were the questions I asked myself? What answers did I come up with? How did they shape my work into what it has become today?

Why do I tattoo?

I started to tattoo because I loved the uniqueness of the punks and rockers on the streets of Birmingham as I was growing up! Fascinated with their unique personalities, I wondered what stories the tattoos held. Intrigued by how they had transformed themselves into unique works of art! More than 20 years later I am still tattooing and love it more than ever. Why, because I truly love being the artistic tool to help my clients transform into the vision THEY have for THEIR body. I love to witness the change someone makes mentally and physically throughout the tattoo process and how that affects the way they carry themselves through this world. It’s an honour helping people realize their vision.

What makes a good tattoo?

I believe a successful tattoo epitomizes the personality of the wearer, it should also fit the uniqueness of the client’s body. This is why my tattoos are freehand; so we can work together on your ideas and find the most perfectly fitting tattoo for your body. The perfect tattoo should work as a stand-alone piece as well as a part of the whole body.

What do I believe makes a good tattoo artist?

I believe to be a good tattoo artist I can’t push my artistic vision onto the client. Instead, it should be a collaboration of the client’s ideas within the framework I believe makes the best tattoo. As my hand creates the design, my artistic vision will shine naturally through the ideas my client has to represent themselves. Nothing needs to be forced.

What is the framework I use to design a tattoo and what influences my style?

The stystem I now have for my tattoos come from the styles I have tattooed in over the years. Taking the strongest elements of many styles to create a framework that will work for (almost) any subject matter I get asked for. I steer away from what’s fashionable, as what is in fashion will soon be out of fashion and will inevitably look dated! Not too bad for a jumper that can be changed, but not so great for the skin you take to the grave. Instead, I have looked at more classic influences that have stood the test of time.

I love how Japanese tattoos fit the body so beautifully; the strength of lines and grey shading for timeless form and flow. I was a pioneer of new-school tattooing many years ago. The dynamism you can add to a tattoo with the use of sculpted lines or with a cool under shadow to a warm tone is what I still love about that style of tattoo! I learned a lot about colour theory and tattooing details from years of realism tattooing when this was a style pushing through from the USA. Also drawing influence from oil painting, which has been a passion of mine for many years. I am constantly blown away by the beauty of nature and I’m always inspired for this as a subject matter.

My aim is to pull together the strongest influences to create a timeless style for any subject matter. I am always pushing and evolving my art and I’m happy with the trajectory of my work. As I get so many clients embarking on large work and coming back again and again, I hope my clients are happy too!

For artists looking to find their authentic direction, I urge you to ask these questions for yourself. Don’t follow along with the answers others have given. And for clients looking to find an artist that resonates with them, I recommend you look at the artist’s body of work. Do they have a consistent path they follow or do they jump around? Your skin is not something to gamble with!

Thanks for reading, Jo x