The Thrill of the Permanent
Gone are the days of rockers, bikers and pirates being the only
groups to frequent tattoo parlours. We talk to three female tattoo artists making a permanent mark on their industry
Nadine Bryant– The Queen of Ink
NADINE BRYANT WAS YOUR stereotypical British heavy metal- loving motorhead, and in her youth tattooing seemed like a logical career to move into. "In Crawley, England I took my art portfolio into a local tattoo
shop, made myself available to do an apprenticeship and ended up working there for five years," she says. In 1995 Nadine immigrated to New Zealand with her husband
and son, and the following year opened Skinks Tattoo originally in Fairfield, Hamilton. Unlike a traditional street shop where you pick something off
the wall, Nadine runs a custom shop where each tattoo is designed specifically for the person. Occasionally the team will have a walk-in when one of the artists has a free spot, but Nadine prefers her clients be completely sure of the decisions they make. Throughout her career Nadine has won over 100 awards including the Logan Ink Off three times. "Now I consider it a better achievement to make the client happy.
There isn't so much emphasis on competitions now thanks to the Internet and the popularity of tattoo magazines. Your work can get a lot of exposure without having to compete. Besides, art is based more on what you like, which isn't a fair way to judge." Nadine remembers her first large piece; a character made up of
bones down a man's wrist. The eight hour job was not only a big ask for the client, having to sit still in pain, it took an incredible amount of concentration and physical stamina for the artist. "The impression you get of tattoo artists is that we party all the
time, but most of us are into working out and keeping fit to condition those core muscles." Nadine handpicks artists who inspire her. She now employs four
full-time artists, an apprentice floor manager, a part-time receptionist and occasionally welcomes guest artists into the shop. "Because it's a custom shop we look for artists with a good variety of
work. Personality wise they need to be able to get on with the others. We're pretty humble artists so stay away from rock stars." Nadine has done the majority of her own tattoos herself over the
years and all of her employees have left their mark on her edifice. "I'm running low on room," she quips. "Each piece was thought
out and then I ask someone who I know will enjoy doing it. It's great when someone gives you the idea, but gives you freedom to interpret it into your own style."
Q: What is your most memorable tattooing experience? A: I once had a dude faint and break my nose. He was saddling an office chair while I tattooed his back. He said he was feeling faint and
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