Tattoos as an art form is something that has exploded in recent years, with your favourite celebrity, footballer and even pal down the pub sporting elaborate sleeve designs on their arms.
But when we think of a traditional tattoo studio in Edinburgh we often think of basement settings that are hidden away from society. Those of a certain generation still see tattoos as synonymous with criminality or a career at sea; however that perception has evolved immensely in the past decade or so.
One tattoo studio in the capital, which is located in the heart of Leith at the Shore, The Island, is a setting that exemplifies what the art form means in the modern age. Their residents all come from extremely different backgrounds, boasting an ex-chef, a tourism manager, fashion designer and animator - with one even using a Lino-cut printing technique that is uncommon around the world.
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What makes The Island so special is that they are a studio where art comes at the forefront of all that they do. Many tattoo studios take walk-ins and often ink their clients with whatever design or image they choose, but here, customers come to have a tattoo done in the specialist style of each resident.
The setting in which the tattoos are carried out is also something that breaks away from the common perception of dark basement spaces. Large windows pour light into their studio that is filled with vegetation, and when you close your eyes, you can hear the subtle sounds of bird songs in the background. It is almost as if you are in the tranquil wilderness with David Attenborough whilst having an artwork etched onto your body.
Jamie, 32, JamJam tattoo, came up with the idea to launch the business when in London and decided to relocate to Edinburgh around the time of the pandemic. The former fashion designer decided to leave his career behind to pursue something that would allow him to travel.
“I wanted to leave so I could pursue work that is more my own vision and to be able to travel with work, tattooing in studios around the world, meeting different people”, he said.
“I started by just tattooing myself initially with never really having an aim of becoming a tattoo artist. But after friends saw my work on my own skin and it snowballed from there.
“My style is a mixture of realistic natural elements, abstract textures and surreal combinations with graphic ornaments. To anyone looking at getting involved in the industry I’d say find what inspires you and dive into it – and draw, draw, draw as an artist.”
Jamie could be described as being within the creative industry already but Ryan Findlay, 33, (tattoo.ate.9) worked as a former chef for three years and found he was at a crossroads in his career where it was time to start his own business or pursue something new.
On what brought him to tattooing and his own peculiar technique, he said: “I was a chef for three years, and was at a point where I could either start my own business, or leave. It's hard to get paid a wage which even remotely matches the hours you put in as a chef.
“Having creative control over what you do, and being more in control of your own time was a big thing for me. I used to be an abstract expressionist painter, and I have always loved tattooing, to have this permanent form of self-expression is so powerful.
“I knew Jamie, the owner of the Island, when we worked together in hospitality jobs. He knew I used to paint, and asked me if I'd be interested in tattooing. I did have some very basic experience from my teen years, and it was always something I wanted to pursue, but I didn't feel I had the right background to get my foot in the door.
“So Jamie taking me on at the Island was really the start of my current career. My style is generally expressed through the medium of Lino-cut printing. I carve out designs by hand in blocks of linoleum, to create stamps. I then ink this up and press it onto my client's skin, and then tattoo the resulting image.
“It's got a lovely bold quality and the fun sensation of pure chance. My clients love that the process creates something so unique.”
Another resident, Diana Veidenthaler, 31, (dianaveidenthaler.ink) has also come from a peculiar background. Working in the corporate world she decided she wanted to escape the monotony she found herself in.
Having studied tourism management at a university in Prague she began to work for a media agency but wanted to do something that would allow her to live a more creative and flexible life.
On how she started in the industry, she said: “When I moved to the UK, I wanted to try something new. I bought some art supplies, started painting and, because I already had a few tattoos and was very inspired by the growing handpoke tattoo community in Czech, I became increasingly interested in trying it myself.
“I never thought I would love it so much that it would become my passion and a career at the same time. I was practising on myself, my friends and family, working on further developing my skills.
“During the first lockdown, I had more time to reflect on how much joy this creative endeavour brings me and that I would love to take it further. In 2021 I started working at The Island and slowly switched from handpoke to machine tattooing.
“My style is very organic, abstract and inspired by nature. I lived in a shepherd's hut in the Highlands for over a year - this time was an incredibly formative experience for me.
“Now the more time I spend in a city, the more I feel that nature is absolutely essential for our physical and mental well-being; I like to bring that sense of calm, serenity and peace into my work. But at the same time, I often find comfort in a bit of chaos which manifests in some of my work.”
The final resident, Callum Black, 24, (callumblack.ink) started off as an apprentice. Like Jamie, he came from a design background having studied graphic design before transitioning to study as a 2D/3D animator.
The stresses of the industry was something that began to grate on him, with him lacking a desire to work intense 60 hour weeks behind a computer screen. He says he longed for something with more human interaction.
On pursuing his dream job, he added: “Tattooing has always been the dream job really. But I didn’t see it as a possibility, however, I decided to give it a try regardless.
“I gave myself two years to create a portfolio and find an apprenticeship - luckily I bumped into Jamie two weeks after deciding to do this.
“He took me on as an apprentice after seeing some of my artwork. My work is often filled with allusion and hidden meanings. Whether it’s something from my imagination or your story, I use skills in fine-line and delicate shading to create timeless, surreal and abstract projects.
“My advice to anyone looking to break into the industry would be to practise drawing. Get really comfortable with drawing on paper at first.
“Then create a portfolio of artwork you find interesting. It’s easy to fall into the mindset of ‘I’ve got to design tattoo designs that people would want’ but I feel this would lead to a creative block.”
You can find out more about The Island tattoo studio and book yourself in for some ink by following a link to their page here.
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