NBAF 2014
MEET THE ARTIST
With so many brilliant tattooists to choose from, we’ve asked four of the best to tell us more about their art.
abbie williams LOST TIME
How did you get into tattooing? Pure chance! I happened to be getting tattooed by the seaside. After several hours chatting away, the artist mentioned getting a shop apprentice and joked about it being me. Te next day I called him up and asked if he was serious...he was and took a chance on me. For which I'll be eternally grateful.
How has your career progressed since you began? Obviously progression comes with time. To be honest I found it very hard in the beginning. I'll admit, naively I thought I would be a natural (I pick up everything else so quickly) but I struggled. I thought I'd never be able to pull a straight line in my life and my hand would be hurting 10mins into holding a machine! I love challenges and tattooing is a massive one, but it's so exciting. I see myself as being on the tip of the iceberg with so much more to explore and progress with.
Your work is full of colour and fun. What’s the most popular style you’ve been asked for recently? Being a girl, obviously I'm always been asked to make "girly" "pretty" tattoos- which I do love! More and more people are focusing on the fact I use bold contrasting lines and bright/bold colour - they want 'my style' - though I would not know what that is at all! I just do what I do!
Tattooing is very popular at present; what is it that makes a person get a tattoo do you think? I think the popular idea of "finding yourself" has a lot to do with it - and to many the most obvious way of doing that is marking yourself permanently - whether that be defining oneself by making a beautiful/badass statement, or wearing something important and meaningful. It's always been about that. Also I feel it's finally at that point where there's enough ratio of tattooed people, that we are really beginning to outweigh/outlive those old fashioned mentalities.
Are you looking forward to coming to Norwich Body Art Festival this year? It will be my first time at Norwich and I've heard so many awesome things so I'm super excited! Te artist list looks great I can't wait to meet such lovely people whilst I'm there!
NORWICHBODYARTFESTIVAL.CO.UK
alice of the dead DIVINE CANVAS
How did you get into tattooing? I was always very interested in tattoos ever since I was a small child. Tis progressed to me getting tattooed, and designing tattoos for myself and for friends. I never thought that I'd ever be able to get into tattooing though, it seemed like an impossible dream. I was fortunate enough to meet Xed LeHead through mutual friends and I guess he saw some potential in my drawing, as I was lucky enough to apprentice with him once he opened Divine Canvas. I am hugely grateful to Xed for such an opportunity.
How has your career progressed since you began? I am still very new to tattooing and it only feels like yesterday that I got my license. I started off tattooing in the evenings, then moving on to two days a week, then full time. Last year I was at Norwich Body Art Festival and that felt like a huge step forward as it was my first convention as a working artist rather than selling t shirts and helping at the booth. I am very excited about what the future holds, and considers myself very lucky to work in a job I love. I can't imagine ever wanting to do anything else!
I see you work not only in London but also in Oslo. Why Oslo? Tat’s quite a commute! I met the team at Lucky 7 Oslo a few years ago when I was visiting friends there, and they offered me the opportunity to guest there. I now go back a few times a year and always enjoy it immensely. It's a great studio and the crew there always makes me feel really welcome. If I was ever to decide to live outside the UK I think Oslo is where I would end up; the city has a lovely atmosphere and I always feel at home there.
You create a real variety of tattoo styles; which is your favourite to do at present? Currently I am having a wonderful time doing woodcut print and etching style work in black linework, and also trying to feature more colour in my work. I love to work in a wide range of styles though, I thrive on variety and being challenged. I can't imagine only working in one style.
Are you looking forward to coming to Norwich this year? Absolutely! I can't wait. I will be doing walk-ups all weekend and will be bringing some sheets of brand new designs especially for the weekend. Come and say hello and keep me busy!
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