TATTOO ARTISTS
Harvey Bradbury works for Emerald Ink in Osborne Park but before he picked up a tattoo gun he was originally an engineer.
“It wasn’t as creative as I thought it was going to be,” he said.
“So I just started emailing places my drawings and eventually got an apprenticeship [as a tattoo artist].”
His favourite thing about being a tattoo artist is getting paid to do what he enjoys.
“I get to do what I want and get paid,” he said.
“People don’t care. They’ll let you paint something and then they’ll let you get it on them.
“And I get paid for it as well! It’s f**king awesome!”
But Harvey admits the job can be challenging.
“If you really care about doing the best result you can it becomes very stressful,” he said.
However he believes it’s worth the stress.
“The passion will always keep you going!”
Ryan Young is a tattoo artist for Holdfast Tattoo in Mt Lawley. Originally Ryan was studying to be an animator but struggled finding work.
“I couldn’t really get a job in it,” he said.
“I always had an interest in tattoos so I sort of evolved into doing that instead.”
And his favourite part of the job?
“Freedom,” he said.
“Freedom to do whatever you want. It’s so cruisey.
Ryan admits being a tattoo artist has its ups and downs but admits there’s nothing he dislikes about his job.
“Sure you have bad days,” he said.
“Everyone does. But that’s it. It’s good.”
Kelvin is a tattoo artist for Tattoo Family, based in Kuala Lumpur. He became a tattooist because of his passion for the art form.
“My love for body art,” he said.
“That’s all. Easy.”
He believes freedom is a major part of his job, as it allows him to spend time with friends and family.
“You can have time with friends and family when you work,” he said.
“You can organise your own time.
“It’s mainly about the freedom and the time you can have.”
Emma Jackson in only 21 years old is an apprentice at Emerald Ink. She studied art at Tafe for three years and completed her advance diploma in visual art.
“I kind of always wanted to be a tattoo artist,” she said.
“I do a bit more traditional stuff which is a lot different to the other people that work at the shop.”
Her favourite part about being a tattoo artist?
“Drawing. Drawing every day, “she said.
“It’s something I’m so passionate about. It’s kind of awesome.”
But there are some things about the job Emma can’t stand.
“Lots of infinity symbols,” she said.
“We’re almost having a shop ban on the amount of infinity symbols that we’re getting!”
Emma is also not a fan of customers that won’t take suggestions.
“When you get a disgruntled customer who isn’t really open to suggestions,” she said.
“Then you’re kind of stuck doing what they want to do.
“But, you know, the customer is always right!”
Asin Delawi is from Sweden but moved to Perth in January and is currently working at Emerald Ink. She’s been a tattoo artist since she was 19 years old.
“I started when I was 19 as an apprentice,” she said.
“I worked as an apprentice for a year and a half in Sweden.
“I’ve had my own shop and I’ve worked for different artists as well.”
Asin has a strong passion for tattoos and art.
“I’ve always liked the profession ‘cause it’s something that lasts,” she said.
“I’ve always liked drawing, especially when it comes to on the body.
“it’s so different compared to on paper. On the body you can create anything that flows with the muscles as well.”
She also cites her dad as inspiration.
“My dad would be a big inspiration ‘cause he has old tattoos from the army,” she said.
“They did them themselves by hand but I think they’re amazing.”
Asin loves the look people get when she’s finished their tattoo.
“Seeing their face expression when the tattoos done,” she said.
“Some people just get surprised ‘cause the stencil looks so different from the end result.
“When they see it it’s a nice memory.”
Mark was at a stall boasting the most beautifully made tattoo guns, all handmade by himself. In the centre of his stall was a huge sign which read:
"These Tattoo
Machines Are
For Professional
Tattooers only.
NO EXCEPTIONS."
Mark Sender is a tattoo artist and a machine builder. His tattoo machines are 100% handmade and feature an array of beautiful colours and decorations. He’s been making them for around 7 years.
“I was interested in them from the start,” he said.
“Started building them not long after I started tattooing.”
Building tattoo guns from scratch is a time consuming hobby though. Each machine takes between 8 and 10 hours to finish.
“Because I make a lot these days I manufacture the parts and then build them from the parts I’ve made,” he said.
The machines are more like a piece of art than something used to permanently mark someone’s skin.
“They’re custom made, made to my aesthetics,” he said.
“It’s just like an artwork, people are attracted to different things.”
Animators, infinity symbols and a passion for art; meet some of the local and international tattoo artists from the expo.
HARVEY BRADBURY
RYAN YOUNG
KELVIN
EMMA JACKSON
ASIN DELAWI
MARK SENDER
