Big challenges allow tattoo artists to show off skills
A TATTOO of an Amazonian shaman has been taking shape on Jamie Tolcher’s thigh this weekend, as he was one of dozens of people having tattoos crafted at the second Guernsey Tattoo Expo.
There were 16 artists in action with ink at St James on Saturday and Sunday for the event, creating their designs while the visiting public watched.
Tattoo artist Woodie spent his weekend working on Mr Tolcher’s new piece, which took about 10 hours to complete.
Mr Tolcher said he had about 10 tattoos and he was excited to get his latest one.
‘I spent some time in the jungle, with shamans,’ the 34-year-old said, when asked how he had picked his image.
‘It’s quite a big tattoo, but it’s not my biggest. I just like the creative aspect.’
His artist has been doing tattoos for 10 years and the pair are friends.
‘Jamie likes giving me a challenge,’ he said.
‘It’s a very challenging piece, but we will get it done.’
Lu Porritt is a hand poke tattoo artist – where the ink is inserted under the skin by hand, rather than by a mechanical device.
She had already started on 42-year-old Kerry Finch’s leopard before the event, but was continuing the large thigh piece on Saturday morning.
Miss Porritt said the process took longer, but it created a nice effect.
Mrs Finch already has nearly 40 tattoos and hoped the leopard will be the start of a new jungle theme on her leg.
‘I’d like it start something bigger, with elephants and flowers,’ she said.
Despite the time involved, she said the experience was not that painful and she had even fallen asleep in the past.
While most the artists are from Guernsey, Fliquet Renouf had travelled from Jersey for the first time to take part in the event. She said it was a great chance to show people what they can do.
St James director Job Bisson was on hand for both days and said it had gone really well.
‘On Saturday we had plenty of people, getting lots of tattoos,’ he said.
‘We have an amazing guy called Zai, who is doing amazing back pieces. He has done some fantastic work, but all the guys have such a high standards and the quality of the work has been outstanding.’
