Ellie
How long have you been working as an artist?
I started my apprenticeship in April 2013, so just over 2 years now.
What’s your favourite thing about being a tattoo artist?
My favourite part of tattooing is creating something unique for each person and working together with my clients come up with something super fun. When the client is 100% happy with the design and application its a great feeling.
What is your favourite tattoo style?
I honestly don’t think I have a favourite tattoo style. I love traditional, neo-traditional, realism, line-work, dot-work, colour. I love tattoos of any style that are super clean and solid.
What was your first tattoo?
My first tattoo was a little wing on my left ankle when i was 18. I stole if from the EP cover of my favourite band at the time ‘Behind Crimson Eyes’. About 3 years later my mum made me get a guy in Frisco, Colorado do the same wing on my right ankle so I wasn’t flying around in circles.
What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?
This question makes me feel lame because I literally spend most of my time outside of work drawing! I really, really love to draw and find myself up really late at night drawing random stuff even if I’ve been super busy tattooing all day. In between drawing though, I like to have family time with my cute baby nephew Bowen, relax on Clontarf beach or go on little day trips up the coast to get away and forget about work for a little while.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Manly, Sydney but moved away to Kangaroo Valley when I was quite young. We lived in a cedar wood house with only a small amount of solar panel electricity and no television. I had the best time running around in the bush, riding horses, swimming in creeks and going on adventures with my brothers and sister.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I think I went through every typical phase…Astronaut, Marine Biologist, Pilot. But I did briefly decide, when I was about 15, that I wanted to be a tattooist so I sent a letter with a bunch of dodgy tribal drawings to a tattoo shop in Campbeltown and asked them if I could have a job. They never got back to me so I gave up on the idea for a while. haha.
Who is your favourite tattoo artist?
I don’t think I could choose a favourite tattoo artist because there are so many awesome artists in Australia and around the world. A few I can think of off the top of my head that I am constantly inspired by are: Demi Iacopetta, Emily Rose Murray, Heath Clifford, Alvaro Flores, Thomas Hooper, Erik Jacobsen and so many more. These guys are all so good, I can only dream to one day to be anywhere near their level of awesomeness.
What are you most looking forward to during your time on Bondi Ink?
I am looking forward to meeting some awesome new artists and learning as much as I can. I’m sure there will be some amazing clients and stories and I’m excited to push myself into something out of my comfort zone.
Where do you want to be in 5 years?
In 5 years I’d like to be doing solid, clean tattoos and be surrounded by great artists. I’d love to travel and live overseas and hopefully start a cute little family before I get too old!
