Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in the tattoo industry?
I dreamed about opening a women-only private studio for years. I used to watch this comedy called Portlandia, and loved the characters who ran “Women and Women First Bookstore”. So when I opened a private studio and knew that I wanted to make a safe space for women and LGBTQ people to be tattooed, I took that inspiration and named it Women First Tattoo Studio.
At the beginning, I started doing stick-n-pokes for friends after graduating university with a BFA in Fine Art in 2019. I advanced to using a tattoo machine in 2020 and did $25 tattoos for my friends and their friends. During this time I cold-called shops looking for apprenticeships or advice and was routinely turned down. I eventually heard of a shop where I lived in Columbus, Ohio which was looking for artists.
At the time I was what is called in the tattoo industry – a “scratcher” – someone who is just starting out by tattooing friends and family. But this tattoo shop owner said I could come to the shop and ask questions. I spent a good six months going there once a week to show I was serious. Eventually the owner let his apprentice go, and so I asked for the position. I was able to tattoo walk-in clients in a licensed shop, ask questions, take on new challenges, and watch the artists around me work. After a year of tattooing under his mentorship I graduated to full tattoo artist.
What inspired you to become a tattoo artist, and what has your journey been like so far?
When I was 12 years old I realized that tattooing was one of the few jobs left where I could earn money through drawing. After doing a fine arts degree this fact became even clearer. I don’t believe being an artist is a choice; it is something that is intrinsic to who I am, and if I am not able to create I get depressed. Downgrading art to the status of a hobby was not a choice for me, which is why I was so dogged when pursuing tattooing.
My journey has been tough. I don’t think this is an industry for the faint of heart, no matter who you are. As a woman, I see that the tattoo industry is still a boys club and it has all the issues that go along with that. There is more exploitation that goes on in tattooing than anybody is willing to admit. I stuck it out because I had no choice. I had one chance to be a tattoo artist and I couldn’t let anybody stop me from achieving that goal.
Are you originally from Stevenage, or did you move here to pursue your career?
I am originally from Luton! But I grew up in Ohio, USA. My dad is English and my mother is American so we moved to the US early on in my childhood. I never liked it there and I am very glad to be back! I ended up in Stevenage because my aunt and cousins live here. I absolutely love it. Stevenage has everything and is so walkable!
How would you describe your tattooing style, and what influences your artistic choices?
I do mostly custom work so the client’s taste is my primary influence. I have a pretty diverse range with tattooing, but fineline is primarily what I do because I tattoo women. When it comes to my tattoo flash I am currently pivoting to small scale animal portraits. I enjoy how detailed they are, and I’ve always loved the process of making something realistic. It’s very meditative.
Are there any particular artists or art movements that have inspired your work?
My tattoo flash takes some inspiration from Beatrix Potter. I love the way she drew animals and how playful they were.
I also love the tattoo artist Emily Malice. She has been an inspiration to me from the beginning, and I eventually got to get tattooed by her after moving to the UK.
Do you have a favorite type of tattoo to design and create? If so, what makes it your favorite?
I like tattooing things with small details, it really helps me zone into what I’m doing.
What challenges have you faced as a female tattoo artist in a predominantly male industry?
I have faced mocking, discrimination, predatory behavior, and assault. I have had many uncomfortable experiences, both being tattooed, and working as the only female artist in a male shop. To give you an example, a male artist once showed me porn while tattooing my thigh.
Have you noticed any changes in the industry’s attitude towards female tattoo artists over the years?
With more and more women getting tattooed they’re encouraging more feminine tattoo styles and softer tattoo spaces. I’m very grateful to all the women who love tattoos and have brought the need to accommodate that in tattooing. The more women who get tattooed, the more demand there is for safe spaces within the industry.
Can you share a memorable experience you’ve had with a client?
I recently had a woman come to me for a cover up. The original piece had fallen out quite badly and she was told that it was her skin’s fault, which it obviously wasn’t. We put a feminine dragon over it, and sure enough her skin had no problem with the tattoo and it healed up beautifully.
How do you feel about the tattoo community in Stevenage? Is there a strong local following?
I have a pretty good local following considering Women First Tattoo Studio opened up officially seven months ago. I have run into my clients in public which is one of my favorite things, seeing my work in the wild and how they’re styling it. There are several shops in Stevenage, and there is enough clientele for all of us practicing in our different ways and styles.
What’s the most common request you get from clients in this area?
Fine line spine tattoos are very popular at the moment. They’re delicate and fit the body really well with the bonus of being easily coverable if you don’t always want it on display.
There are also a lot of cover up requests. Sometimes people outgrow a tattoo, or they bought it from an inexperienced artist, or any of a number of different scenarios. I work with the client to draft a design that transforms the old tattoo into something that fits their current lifestyle.
How do you ensure that your clients have a comfortable and positive experience?
I offer consultations which is a huge part of making my service the best it can be. We talk everything through, and I get a sense of their style and what they are looking for. It also means people can ask questions ahead of time about any accommodations they may need, or anything that is making them nervous.
The other part of making my clients comfortable is the fact that it is a private studio. Nobody will be watching them be tattooed or interrupt their service. They also have a place to put their stuff and sit comfortably if they need a break.
Have you noticed any recent trends in tattoos that are particularly popular among your clients?
Fineline is the most popular tattoo trend among women at the moment. It’s a very feminine and discreet tattoo style which is why a lot of women go for it. For subject matter, birth flowers and star signs are the most popular things to get tattooed among my clients.
What do you think makes a tattoo timeless versus a passing trend?
For the individual I would say that tattoos ascribed with meaning are the most timeless. But visually I would say a tattoo that fits the body really well will always look good.
What advice would you give to someone considering their first tattoo?
Do a lot of research. Wait at least a year to get it done. Save up more than what you think it’s going to cost. Do a consultation.
How do you stay inspired and keep your creativity flowing?
I do a lot of things outside of tattooing, like sewing and cooking, which allow me to be creative without there being any pressure. I find that lack of pressure makes it easier to create.
What tips would you offer to aspiring tattoo artists, especially women looking to enter the industry?
Don’t quit. If you don’t give up and you just keep going eventually you will get there.
What are your future goals and aspirations as a tattoo artist?
Eventually I would like to be in a place where I can offer discounted cover ups for abuse survivors. Especially for women who received the tattoo from their abuser.
Are there any upcoming projects or events you’re excited about?
I am going to be working towards tattooing my own flash again. I have my first couple pieces coming up this month and I can’t wait to see how they turn out!
How do you see the tattoo industry evolving in the next few years, particularly for women?
I think that there will be a boom in more feminine tattoo styles coming soon. Fine line is here to stay and I have been seeing offshoots of it evolving. I also see a lot more older ladies getting tattooed. Often they’re women who always wanted tattoos but didn’t feel like older tattoo styles fit their aesthetic, and now they’re ready to embrace modern tattooing.
Do you have any tattoos that are particularly meaningful to you? If so, can you tell us the story behind them?
I have a huge sea-unicorn tattoo on my forearm that my boss did for me before I left for the UK. I went to pay him and he said “don’t worry about it, you earned it.” That was a turning point in my journey where I felt I had finally been accepted into the tattoo world.
What do you enjoy most about living and working in Stevenage?
I love how walkable Stevenage is. Being able to get to everything without a car is so novel to me I love it. I also really enjoy seeing people I know out and about and saying hi. Stevenage has given me a sense of community I haven’t had before.
When you’re not tattooing, what are your favorite hobbies or activities?
I’m neurodivergent so I have a different interest every week haha. I enjoy going to the gym, cooking, sewing, going into London, going to the arcade or movies. I also enjoy having the ability to travel and being able to take holidays in places other than Florida!
You can follow Rosi on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/rosi.tattoos/
