We asked the artists to show the piece they are most proud of and also a little bit about themselves.
Photos from each respective artist.
1. Amy Patton @aimychristine_tattoo
Age 23 from Sion Mills "I have been a tattooist in 76 Tattoo House for 2 years.It was a very tough choice to choose one of the tattoos I’ve done! I chose this one as it symbolises Luck and also serves as a memory for their pet! It was very special to me that I was given the opportunity to do this for my client! My interest first sparked for tattooing when I was working as a makeup artist in 76 Tattoo House. The environment had such a different and exciting energy. I began researching the historical significance of tattooing which sparked my interest further. Throughout time the reason for people getting tattoos have varied, weather it be for their culture, for a sense of power within themselves, memories, or just for artistic expression. Tattooing also allows me to express my creativity and It brings me immense joy and fulfilment that my clients trust me with tattooing them." Photo: Amy Patton
2. Gustavo @gus.tr
"Gustavo is 46 and is originally from Argentina but has been a resident in Derry for 4 years now. Tattooing , was always around me since I was a teenager so it was just a matter of time before I would experiment with it. As a kid I always been drawing and painting, so it seems a natural progression for me.I've been tattooing full time for 13 years.The main reason I became a tattoo artist was as soon as I started to tattoo, I knew straight away that this is just all I wanted to do." Photo: Gustavo @gus.tr
3. Justyna Fajkowska @twinflametattoostudio
Justyna is 26, they come from a Polish background and grew up in Letterkenny, she moved to Derry six years ago and has been tattooing for six years."I picked this artwork as I love doing portraits, it’s probably my favourite thing to tattoo and draw. I’m very proud of it.Justyna has been tattooing for 6 years.Since I was very young I’ve been interested in art, it was my favourite subject in school and my hobby. Tattooing allows me to do something I love everyday and people carry it on them forever which is cool. It just seemed natural for me to go into a job that requires making art." Photo: Justyna Fajkowska
4. Brandon Bull Upton @brandonbulltattoo
Age 21 years old.Brand is currently tattooing out of Studio 76 cityside. "I chose this piece in particular as I was extremely happy with its outcome, but ultimately this tattoo was a reassurance of my progression in my craft. As this is a piece I was trusted to do on an inspiration of mine and a very talented tattoo artist 'Matt Lynch' who had given me an amazing tattoo prior to this so it was nice to return the favour and be trusted to do the custom piece. I've been a working tattoo artist now for three years, although I had spent a year and some with the shop before ever taking on clients, just watching and learning.I've always been driven creatively, originally I had wanted to pursue product design or architecture just anything that involved designing but by chance fell onto tattooing through taking a gamble and asking if I could do work experience during my GCSE's at a tattoo studio. I became a sponge from that point onwards just took in everything I could and fell in love with the craft." Photo: Brandon Bull Upton