Inked Talk

INKED Tattoo Studio of Sherborne, Dorset is a relative newcomer to the United Kingdom tattoo scene, but it is making a big impression. INKED has maintained a top three ranking on the United Kingdom’s independent tattoo shop review site, www.uktattoostudios.co.uk, throughout the past year with its impressive number of favorable customer reviews and incredible art. This week the shop’s proprietor and artist, Andy Potter, took some time to talk to Inked Talk about his experiences as a tattoo artist and shop owner in the United Kingdom.

Inked Talk: What sparked your interest in tattooing?

Andy Potter: I have always had an artistic background. It was one of the few subjects when at high school I remained interested and focused in, especially renaissance art and graffiti. Without wanting to sound cliched, I hated my final school years, but my interest in art led to my interest in tattooing. In frequent days that I was absent from school I was actually often in my local tattoo shop, sweeping the floor and shaving arms for the stencils!

IT: In the United States, while some great tattoo artists are completely self-taught, tattoo artists traditionally (or perhaps preferably) go through some sort of apprenticeship to learn about both safety and technique. Is there a similar apprenticeship system in the UK? What was your experience, and would you consider it “typical?”

AP: I got my first tattoo at the age of sixteen, before being fairly well-inked within a year, which led to an ‘unofficial’ apprenticeship if you like during the next two to three years. Following this period of teaching, I gave up any hope of working within the industry. However, I always loved tattoo shops and always had the idea in the back of my head that one day I would take it up again - but only when the time was right.

Following a discussion with a friend who was a tattoo artist I made a decision to return to the industry. He had been using rotary machines, but had fancied a change to the more traditional coils. When they arrived they were in parts and he was totally clueless to how to put them together. I offered to help, set them up and they ran real sweet! This was the kick up the ass I had been waiting for and I knew that tattooing was going to be my career. So it was a case of fully re-equipping myself, brushing off the cobwebs and slinging some ink! It was a strange period prior to opening the studio, as it was almost like riding a bike again after several years out of the saddle. So although I have had a formal training etc, it was almost like a period of self-teaching during my return to the needles! I have been tattooing on and off for sixteen years, although the last six professionally.

IT: Do you require special licensing or certification to tattoo in the UK?

AP: Yes, registration and compliance with your local health authority, for both tattooing and body piercing. I actually think these laws should be tightened though as there are too many people purchasing kits from eBay in the hope of becoming the next Chris Garver or Kat Von D.

IT: Tattoo styles and placement seem to go through phases. We all saw the tribal lower back tattoos reach their height of popularity a few years ago and then wane. In your experience, what is the most popular style right now?

AP: The most popular thing at the moment in my studio is sleeving. It is all different though as most are custom pieces. Ranging from B&G Graveyard scenes, New Skool skulls and roses to full colour battle scenes from Transformers!

I am just so glad that ‘Tribal’ tattoos seem to have ran their course as I hate doing them.

IT: What is the biggest challenge for you as an artist?

AP: As the sole artist at my studio, this has to be the variety of styles and requests that I get. But apart from that, educating younger clientele about just what can and can’t be be done and the fact that is so important to get ‘the right’ tattoo, not one on a whim or because their mates are all getting ink.

IT: What about the challenges of being the shop owner as well as its artist?

AP: I actually prefer to be my own boss and the success of my business will be measured purely by my decisions.

IT: What is the most unusual, unique or just plain odd tattoo request you have done?

AP: One of the coolest recently was to tattoo the image of a baby’s palm print for a young couple who lost their daughter several days after her birth. We coincided the appointment for the first anniversary and it was quite moving to see the comfort that a piece of my work gave them.

Having said that I wouldn’t ever imagine doing anything else.

Thanks for taking the time to talk to Inked Talk, Andy.

Readers, for more information on INKED Tattoo Studio, visit the reviews and gallery on the UK’s Independent Tattoo Review Site, UKTattooStudios.co.uk, send a friend request to INKED’s Myspace Page, or call TEL : 01935 813130.

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And while we’re talking about the UK, here’s a plug for a fellow 451 Press Blogger’s site, POPBuzzUK.