TATTOOIST INTERVIEW
Tell us about some of your travel experiences...
I travelled around Australia. Working in a ten-person studio was eye-
opening. And that was the first time – after eight years in tattooing –
that I'd ever been asked what I specialised in. Until then, I don't think
I'd realised that you even couldspecialise! I was taught to be an all-
rounder, that you did whatever came in the door. And I still think
that's a good way to be. It's certainly paid off for me, travelling
around different countries, although I would love to be able to say I
only do one style, and I'm envious of people who do. In Australia
back then it was all portraits and realistic stuff, lots of blacks and
greys. Then I worked in Berlin for a while and it seemed everybody
wanted neo-trad animals wearing hats and things, which is really the
style where I’m most comfortable. Oh, so many places... I’m so glad
I got the chance to travel. Every studio I worked at was amazing in
its own right and I took a little bit of something from each one.And then you settled in France?
Yes. My husband is from Bordeaux, which is why we settled here, as
well as the great opportunity of opening up the studio. I couldn’t
backpack around the world forever! And it's brought me a whole
new clientele. At first, though, it seemed everybody here wanted
blackwork. I remember setting up the studio and buying a full set of
coloured inks and feeling really happy with myself, only to have the
inks sit on the shelf for six months before I opened them! But people
know me much more for my colour work now, three years down the
line.