How long have you been tattooing?
Just entered my 14th year of tattooing last April.
Primarily large scale Japanese inspired work is my favourite, but I still enjoy tattooing American traditional on the few clients who ask for it.
What got you into tattooing?
Always a tricky question as I didn’t seek it out, more fell into by chance. I always enjoyed drawing and painting when I was younger and had a lot of creative friends, some who were into tattooing. I liked it and I tried my hand at a little but never had any intentions of doing it seriously as a profession. One day a friend gave me a call and asked if I’d be interested in learning properly through an apprenticeship so I jumped at the opportunity and haven’t looked back.
Expos or guesting this year?
My partner Ruby and I are about to head to Europe for the first time this June/July. We’ll be working in Rome, Porto, Barcelona and Prague. I’ve always wanted to work overseas and to see tattooing from the European side. We’ve got some great shops lined up to work at with amazing artists, I’m really looking forward to it. Other than that I’m sure another east coast trip will be on the cards before the end of the year, Melbourne, Sydney and maybe Queensland.
What does tattooing mean to you?
From an artistic standpoint tattooing to me is a lifelong endeavour of unattainable perfection. It demands discipline, devotion and respect, and in return it will look after you. It’s given me a purpose and I feel very grateful to do this job. I meet great people everyday and get to play a part in their transformation, it’s pretty special.
Song that's on repeat at the moment?
This week it’s Let Me Roll It by Wings, but it’ll change next week. I like listening to albums in their entirety, album of the week at the moment is Mahal by Glass beams, great drawing music.
Whats the best place to eat out in Freo?
Definitely has to be Oceans, been a Fremantle staple for years. Cheap and consistently delicious. Ginger fish is the winner!
Advice for your younger self getting into tattooing?
Stretch and exercise more, look after your body, do more colour studies. Ignore the fear of failure and judgement, ask more questions. And lastly don’t be afraid to trace sometimes, everything has been done before, don’t let originality get in the way of making a good tattoo.
