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United Kingdom - The Church Tattoo Studio

Instagram: instagram.com/littlenicktattoo

English: I waited until I was 18 for my first tattoo and had it done at a local studio. I'd just finished an art course at college and I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do next.

We got talking, they were looking for an apprentice, I showed them my portfolio, and that was the start of it all! Even though I loved tattoos, I never dreamt in a million years that I would able to make a career out of it. 

I learned a lot at my first studio but things began to really change for me when I started working at my second studio - Painted Lady Tattoo Parlour – with Dawnii Fantana; she supported and encouraged me so much that I finally started to think maybe the idea of opening my own studio one day could become a reality. 

Opening my own studio was the best decision I ever made. Like anything worth having, it was incredibly hard work to get it open but I'm lucky to have very supportive family and friends who all helped out.

Day to day, running a studio whilst trying to focus on producing the best work that I can is a challenge, and one I sometimes struggle with, but I just try and do the best I can. I’m also really fortunate to be surrounded by the most talented, cool group of people every day. 

At the beginning of my career I did traditional, neo-traditional, Japanese, geometric – everything really – until I finally seemed to settle into black and grey. I occasionally still dabble into abstract but I'm really enjoying trying out new techniques and ideas with my black and grey work at the moment. 

I suppose the biggest draw for me is being able to put contrast into my work – I love the way this looks and it helps the piece stand the test of time rather than becoming washed out. I want my work to last and for my customers to always have a piece that they can be proud of.