Having moved away from the mainstream aesthetic, The Fine Art of Tattoo offers a high-end experience with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Teaming up this summer with Southend’s well-known artist and curator of The Little Known Studio, Andy Downes, bringing a sense of community and local artists together in the tattoo studio’s gallery, showcasing how tattoos and fine art can share a creative space, offering a cultured dynamic in the artistic community.
The Fine Art of Tattoo, Colchester, Essex, differs from many studio experiences. The stylish interior gives more of a spa vibe than a traditional studio. The all-female staff give a professional welcome and is committed to providing a top-rate service, each demonstrating degree-level art qualifications alongside first aid, skin education, demonstrating an excellent customer experience.
Director Alice Nicholls, MA, says, “Tattooing can feel like a typically male or younger generation- dominated culture, and the experience hasn’t always felt as welcoming as it could. My studio is different as it is specifically designed to deliver the kind of experience that is comfortable for all.”
Using the power of the studio’s Wear Your Story campaign, The Fine Art of Tattoo champion client stories to elevate marginalised society as an expressive art form. “Everyone who gets in the tattoo chair starts to open up about their journey; clients feel more like friends by the end of each session.” Not only does the studio offer bespoke tattoo work but also medical reconstructive tattooing and the increasingly popular ash memorial tattoos.
To add to the luxurious feel, each client has the opportunity to purchase an aftercare kit with everything needed for perfect healing and a few pampering extras! Included in the kit is a pot of aftercare balm, handmade by Alice and the first of its kind in tattoo care to tailor to suit skin type and flying off the studio shelves. Four Tattoo Care is an all-natural and sustainable balm set, in beautiful packaging which would be at home in any high end department store.
Alice is working towards her PhD, contributing to the tattoo industry and closing the gap between fine art and the tattoo world. Andy Downes of The Little Known Studio will be expanding into the tattoo studio gallery space, offering an inclusive opportunity to exhibit and collaborate with multiple visual artists. Having built his reputation within the arts, Andy’s vast collection of community events and directing of the South Coast’s first portrait artist competition, his expertise has been welcomed to aid the development of the studio gallery. Together they plan to advance diverse gallery spaces to create communities and bridge artistic collaboration across cities.
