A Twenty First Century Tattoo

This week I catch up with Dean Gunther at his private studio in Manchester.

Dean's vivid colour realism is mind blowing. Growing up in South Africa, he got his first tattoo for just £2... to now being  an award winning artist, Dean travels worldwide and hosts his own seminars. He is no stranger to doing things outside of the box and it was great to sit down with him to hear how far he has come and what's left to achieve in the future.

This week I sit down with an artist who introduced both me and the UK scene to clean traditional stipple work, Matt Stopps. 

Matt’s been in the industry 9 years now and it shows in the work; a refined, bold and traditional style, he’s a tattooers tattooer.

Talking at his studio in central London, Origin, we discuss determination, accomplishments, trends and how life has changed….

@matt_stopps
@origintattoolondon

In this weeks episode I join Amy Billing at Bournemouth's all female studio, Hobo Jack. With a focus on floral, realism and dotwork her intricate, feminine style makes her one of the most in demand artists in the area. 

We discuss how the studio was formed, following the rise of the Hobo Jack clothing brand,  what success means to her and plans for the future. 

@amybillingtattoo
@hobojacktattoo

This week i'm with Megan at the London Social, to find out more from an artist who has managed to form such a clean and refined style in such a short space of time. 

Megan is incredibly down to earth and self aware, determined to create pieces for her clients that are unique and true to her imagination. In an industry that is becoming increasingly saturated, Megan's passion and originality clearly shines through and maybe this is the secret to her success...

@megandotart

This week I was lucky enough to be one of the first to see Loz and Lana's brand new space; South London's new body modification studio - Blank Collective.

With only four years in the industry, Loz is dominating the blackwork scene in the UK right now. Behind the fashion conscious, outgoing and confident exterior I wanted to find out who the real Loz Tattooer is... 

@loz_tattooer
@crystalcanine
@blankcollective

This week i'm in Worcester at Holm Studio joined by Scottish artist and owner, Lewis Holmes.

Lewis is from humble beginnings and got into the industry at an early age, learning to tattoo in a small town in Scotland. The workspace he has created and the fine line conceptual realism style he produces today is the result of a clear vision for the future and an obsessive eye for detail. We talk apprenticeships, motivation and work ethic and finding inspiration for designs as well as the usual issue of how to achieve balance in life.

We are definitely both passionate about pushing the boundaries in tattooing and the industry and this conversation gave me a lot to think about. Hopefully you'll take something from this too... Enjoy!

@lewisholmestattoo
@holmstudio

In this week's episode I sit down with Grace at her new private studio in the centre of Brighton. 

Grace is one of the most genuine and down to earth artists I've had the pleasure of meeting.  She's been a creative for as long as she can remember and her feminine, single needle trad style is the product of her passion and hard work in tattooing over the last five years. Grace is an example of an artist whose love for her craft drives her to create beautiful pieces that give confidence to her clients.

@gracereedtattoo
@honeybadger__tattoo

This week I sit down with Jay at Gold Venom in Aldershot. 

Jay's a fine line floral artist who's developed her hugely popular style over the last five to six years. It was fascinating to hear Jay's journey from shop manager to apprentice, her perspective on the industry today as well as some of the challenges she's faced along the way; being a woman in the industry and balancing work life with motherhood.

@jherellejaytattoo
@goldvenomtattoo

Illustrator turned Tattoo Artist, Mike Stout joins me on this weeks episode at his new workspace; Studio Hatch, in the Lanes, Brighton.

He tells me about his unique journey into the world of tattooing, developing his style and brand, where he draws inspiration from and the importance of enjoying the process.

@mike_stout_tattoo
@studio_hatch

You may know Danny Robinson from MTV's 'Just Tattoo of Us' but what you may not know is the journey that led him to become the success that he is today. In this episode I sit down with him at his studio, The Tattoo Lounge, in his hometown Blackpool to discuss what it's like to be an entrepreneur in the industry, staying humble, self improvement, manifestation and striving to always push the boundaries.

@dannyrobinsontattoo
@thetattooloungeblackpool
@checkmatetattoo_