Anne is a personal friend of ours. When we met her, she had two tattoos and said she would never get a full sleeve… Now she’s got a half sleeve, and she isn’t going to stop there. So, what changed her mind?
Tell us about being a fine art student-
I have just recently had an exhibition in Birmingham entitled forever: art inspired by ink at the Custard factory. It was a 50’s inspired photoshoot, playing with the idea of authenticity, making the conventional into the unconventional, taking old photographs and poses and re drawing them and adding tattoos.
And for instant last term my theme was nostalgia in a twisted way, so again I used my obsession of tattoos and incorporated it into my project. I tattooed on pigskin, illustrating images of Alice and wonderland and similar children’s stories.
A lot of my work is inspired by tattoo artist, shawn barber he specializes in loads oil painting and portraits.
Tell us the story behind you ink?
Most of my tattoos don’t really resemble a concept or anything, but have all derived from certain people or musical influences, some connect to people but I didn’t want a really big connection and make it too obvious, I’m not into marking the death of someone to be honest, but for my Grandma who I lost recently I do have a burning candle, I wanted timeless pieces and I think I have that.
My first tattoo was a month before I was 20, a pinup girl on leg I Waited for so long, mainly because I know as soon as I started getting inked that would be it, I’d be hooked as I’ve always been into the culture.
Also saying that the same time I feel I haven’t rushed into them, a lot of my tattoos have been booked in for a year or so, so I have had plenty of time to think about them carefully.
When we first met you in first year you were pretty adamant that you wouldn’t become obsessed and get a sleeve, so what’s changed your mind dude?
Well I was quite apprehensive, because once I would get one on my arm I knew I would get the full sleeve…
I wanted to get sleeve now because I would regret it if I didn’t when I was older…. And I think they mark a part of me, like I said I waited and made sure I knew what I wanted.
Also I think from working in a tattoo shop and being around a lot of people who have full sleeves, its made me see it is expectable and has become the norm for me if you like, it’s a totally different world from when I was at school, then it seemed kinda taboo to have tattoos.
So no reason why not now…
The big appointment I’m waiting for is from the artist Valerie Vargas, she’s a well-known tattooist from Soho I’m on a 2year waiting list, very excited!
Most painful-
Feet!!! I’d much rather get another two hours on my arm than 2mins on my feet, still need to get them touched up but can’t handle it at the moment.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Being Tattooed and a lot more covered, a tattooist? Defiantly an ink related job or an artist career.
I’ll still be getting tattoos done and having them as a hobby, I want to keep this element in my life.
Depends on the individual, when people ask me about mine its more over interest, especially after getting my arm done, a lot of people stare, and I’ve had loads of people coming and chatting to me which is nice.
Saying that though, I wouldn’t get anything that I couldn’t cover up, especially for girls I think that elements important.
Its still not that acceptable for girls to have tattoos, maybe that’s not the right words, but it’s not really common place.
I’ve been working at the tattoo studio for a while now, and I often have a cardi on which covers my sleeve so people tend not to notice. Some of the artists didn’t even realize I had any.
I’m really glad I’ve waited and had time to think about my tattoos, like I said I think they’re all pretty timeless. So I don’t think I’ll ever regret them or get bored of them. I would never get someone’s name on me though, it ends in disaster doesn’t it.
