…the very busy FMC graduate who writes her own blog: Behind the Box. www.sedgebeswick.com
When did you start liking Tattoos?I didn’t ever really realise I was into tattoos until I started working at Skin Deep, the tattoo magazine. I started working as an intern there when I was about 15/16, I walked around the office in awe, everyone was covered in ink and everyone had a story to tell. By lunchtime on my first day I was discussing new school and old school ink with one of the photographers and by the end of the day he was sketching out things that he thought would suit me. Even reading about Travis’ tattoos and the inspiration behind his ink amazes me, Although it’s not exactly tattoo artists, I love the Graffiti Kings too, I’m always stalking away at their work. I first found out about them through the Skin Deep team after they worked at Tattoo Freeze. The walls at Skin Deep are covered in their work, it’s insane.
Looking back it was pretty rad. The guys there are lovely, they massively go above and beyond to make you feel apart of the team. Back then I was still young, naïve and not entirely sure what it was that I was into. Yeah, I listened to AC/DC every morning on the way to school but at that age I found you were always swapping and changing who you were to fit in, and AC/DC wasn’t exactly something my friends were in to.
What do you like about tattoos?
I love the story behind the ink, everyone has a tale to tell even if it was just ‘I was drunk and…’ The tattoos I like are subtle, you can’t always see them, I like phrases and quote mainly because of the font they’re in and where they sit. One of my favourites is a photographer who has ‘Smile’ of her index finger; see picture, its quirky, humorous and meaning to her profession. I adore athletes and musician’s tattoo’s the best, because of their jobs they’re fully able to do what they like and express themselves through tattoos so people like Travis Barker, Harry Main and even Megan Fox. Every image you see of them you spot another tattoo, Travis is a huge inspiration for me – I’m really into my rock music and Travis Barker has become a bit of a household name in my family. I want ‘Self Made’ written on the right hand side of my ribs, I’ve even chose the font (well stole it, from one of my favourite bloggers; B Dunlap).Travis has ‘Self Made’ across his knuckles (not somewhere I’d get inked) but it reminds me that everything you want in life you have to work for and that you’re dreams are never too far away as long as you push for them.
‘I tattooed my body so I couldn’t fall back on anything. I purposely did that so I couldn’t get a normal job or live a normal life. I did it so I had to play music.’
Dedication.
Where do you source the images for your blog?I spend hours, every week looking and searching for fresh ink, from blogs, to models, to magazines even Facebook stalking friends. I’ve even started approaching people in the street, when I was studying fashion I was always told to go out and get some Street Style pictures but I couldn’t ever bring myself to stopping people and asking. With tattoos it’s different, they’re always so pleased to be asked and I usually waste a good half hour hearing their stories.
I was at a Sony Ericsson party recently, one of the guys working behind the bar, had some epic ink. He was maxed out like Travis and Harry, I literally threw myself over the bar ripped off his shirt and starting taking pictures. He was cool, he just went along with it, and in fact he even became my Male Monday on my blog.
Because of my fashion background my favourite tattoos are on models, I love a grungy Michael Lavine style shot with a cheeky tattoo here and there. So, models like Freja Beha Erichsen, Erin Wasson or Margaux Lonnberg always nail it for me.
What’s you’re all time favourite tattoo?I love Freja’s gun on her bicep, as part of Freja’s modelling contact she’s allowed as many tattoos as she likes as long as she doesn’t cut her hair. There’s a random fact for you.
Another one is ‘Naked, if I want to.’ Which is one of Margaux Lonnberg’s – I found that tattoos absolutely years ago and have been tracking her down since, she’s now a big time Koople’s model with her equally as hot boyfriend.
Who’s your favourite tattoo artist?Hmm, Chris Garver is a favourite, not that I’d ever get any of his work done, as I don’t think it would go with my Matthew Williamson dresses, but he’s incredibly talented and so good at what he does. The details in his work are beyond incredible. I love how he sold his bass guitar to buy tattoo equipment. I’d literally die for him to ink me up but some how think he might find it kind of insulting to just write out a couple of words on my ribs.
I love checking in to see his latest work; I spend way too many hours watching him on Miami Ink too.
