So where to start, every bio I read seems to start off with “from a young” etc etc, however to be honest when it comes to tattoo’s my first 21 years were relatively inconsequential! Needless to say In between some awkward growing up I was crazy about art, studying it right up to degree level, but it wasn’t until I was asked to design a few tattoo’s for some friends that I discovered this incredible industry I am now proud to be a part of. One of the pieces I had designed was rather elaborate and I was surprised when my friend told me her tattoo artist said it was achievable as a tattoo, out of curiosity I went along and watched her session. The whole experience completely blew my mind, it was like finding Jesus! Completely captivated, I watched the artist skillfully create an ornate piece of living art work which even surpassed my originally design.

Up until this point, to me tattoo’s had always been big simple tribal’s, or old faded intangible names, I had never realized the incredible level of work possible, or new it was a form of art so expressive and alive, that was the moment I decided I would be the artist working in that chair.

Completely inspired I began hoarding tattoo magazines, learning and discovering as much as I could about the industry and putting a portfolio together to attempt and grab myself an apprenticeship. Now for anyone who has ever tried to get their foot in the door of this industry, you’ll know it is much much easier said then done! For a long, long time I was met by nothing but closed doors, and due pending bills and a need to eat I fell into working as a freelance illustrator, branching out into kids books, comic books, web design and 3D post production. But I never forgot that chair.

It wasn’t until after another long monotonous day at work, flicking through the latest issue of skin deep my girl friend pointed out an advert for an apprenticeship at Ouch Tattoo, and after a bit of an ass kicking persuaded me to go for it. Having heard of Ouch’s fantastic reputation and seeing some of the amazing work coming out of the studio, it was not with a lot of expectation I went along with my portfolio. However my hesitance turned out to be unfounded, either my work had got a lot better or the artists saw some potential in me and I finally got that foot in!

Since joining Ouch! I have had the pleasure of working with some incredibly talented artists, I have lapped up any and every scrap of information I could learn from them. It has been a long and hard road to get where I am now. Through hours and hours (and hours!) of cleaning and health and safety training I have learnt the responsibility and care we owe to all of our clients. My drawing and imagination has progressed to levels I never thought possible, and all though still a relatively new artist my tattoos are progressing more and more everyday under the watchful eyes of the other artists at Ouch!