Tattoo artist, Foret (@foret_tattoo on Insta) is based in Itaewon in Seoul, Korea, and has been tattooing for six years now. She works out of Nandostudio. On her own body, she has just one secret hidden tattoo, and she loves creating miniature works of art for collectors who love fine line tattoos. We sat down to have a chat with her…
How did you become a tattoo artist?
When I was in college, some friends had tattoos and I was fascinated with them. My interest just grew from there…
What made you want to become a tattoo artist?
When I saw my friend’s old tattoo, I had a cheeky thought, ‘I’d do better than that’. It was such a small curiosity, but it’s what made me start tattooing.
Did you have a background in art?
I studied art for around two years at art college.
Do you have any tattoos? Can you tell us about them…
I have a small heart-shaped tattoo on my collarbone, it sort of looks like a little dot. I got this tattoo before I learned how to tattoo. I wanted to know what it would feel like. But I also just wanted to have a small, cute tattoo – it’s like a secret tattoo that others don’t necessarily notice. I love that, like it’s something just for me.
What was the first tattoo you did on someone else?
It’s a tattoo of three small and cute people holding hands. I remember being so nervous that my hands were shaking.
How would you describe your style?
My own design, understatement and neatness are the things that represent me. When drawing, I pay attention to the each tiny part.
Would you call yourself a fine line tattooer?
I’m ashamed of the name, but I admit it.
What drew you to small, delicate tattoos?
There are many people who like small and delicate tattoos in Korea. It’s like that in any country. So I’m continuing to do a lot of small tattoos. Originally, I liked big tattoos too, but of course, I need to meet the needs of my customers. That’s what tattooing is all about.
What do you like to tattoo? Do you prefer colour or black and grey?
I like both. But if I get more tattoos on my own body, I think I’ll get them in colour. I like the vintage colour and how it looks when it becomes one with my skin after time.
What inspires you and do you have any artists you admire?
One of the tattoo artists I’m interested in these days is Cheon moon (@moon.cheon). There’s an authenticity to his work. I actually met someone with one of his tattoos and I was so jealous. You can see how much he cares about doing tattoos.
Do you have any guest spots planned?
Yes. Next year, I have guest spot plans in Hong Kong, New York, Singapore and Japan. I’m already happy and looking forward to meeting guests from each country.
What’s been your proudest moment so far?
When I felt like I was ready to teach others the craft of tattooing. I was very proud of myself when I shared with them what I’ve learnt over the years. I want to continue to help many people – without forgetting the joy of such a magical job.
Tanya Buxton started her career as a traditional tattooist, but she realised the power of tattooing extended beyond simple designs on skin. She now creates hyper realistic nipple tattoos for breast cancer survivors – and they look so real they often get removed from social media. We had a chat with Tanya, who tattoos from her welcoming studio Paradise in Cheltenham, to find out more...
Tanya Buxton at Paradise Tattoo Studio in Cheltenham
Can you remember the moment you fell in love with tattoos?
I’ve been obsessed with tattooing for as long as I can remember. I was fascinated by my father’s tattoos as a child. Tattooing called to my soul – it was something I always wanted to pursue from a very young age. The rich cultural history and creative freedom that surround this incredible art form is something I’ve always been drawn to.
Tell is a bit about your journey…
I started out as a traditional tattoo artist but expanding my skills into cosmetic and medical tattooing was something I always wanted to do – right from the beginning of my career. I’ve always loved helping people feel good about themselves. From very early on in my tattooing career, I realised how powerful tattooing can be, how it can uplift and elevate people on so many levels and for so many reasons.
“Once I began offering cosmetic tattoo services, it opened me up to a whole new world of people who can benefit from tattooing.”
That’s what led me to expand my skills further into medical tattooing. I’ve seen first-hand the impact tattoos have on people, from decorating a scar with a beautiful piece of art to recreating a realistic 3D nipple after mastectomy surgery, tattoos can help heal a person inside and out.
Tattoos can mark a milestone moment, symbolise a new beginning or celebrate cherished memories in a person’s life; they enable people to reclaim their bodies and transform their skin into something they love, helping them to move forward, build self-esteem and boost body confidence.
Tanya Buxton at work
To me, 3D areola-nipple tattooing represents the true power of tattooing. These small tattoos – quite literally – change a person’s life. It is difficult to put into words just how wonderful this form of tattooing is.
They help people reclaim their body back after surgery, illness or trauma, allowing people to move forward in their lives feeling more ‘complete’ and like themselves.
They allow people to feel confident in their skin again, they help people to look in the mirror and love their bodies. These tattoos not only impact a person’s physical wellbeing, but also their emotional wellbeing.
BEFOREAFTER
“To be able to give someone a piece of themselves back through an art form that I love is a gift that is difficult to describe.”
Seeing a person look at themselves in the mirror for the first time after their tattoos are complete – whether it’s a 3D areola-nipple tattoo or a mastectomy tattoo – is such a magical moment to be part of. You can see the confidence radiate from within, it’s just beautiful.
BEFOREAFTER
We spotted you tattooing a woman’s breast at Brighton Tattoo Convention this year, which was absolutely incredible and so brave – can you tell us a bit more about this…
I tattooed a few breast cancer survivors at the Brighton Tattoo Convention this year, my ladies wanted to have their tattoos done there to help spread the word on this wonderful form of tattooing and share with the public how empowering tattooing can be. They all also wanted to help raise awareness for my breast cancer charity, the Mastectomy Tattooing Alliance, which was also at Brighton.
Both myself and the MTA will be at Brighton in February 2024, too.
BEFOREAFTER
Amazing, we will of course be there too. So what’s next for you?
I’m hoping that next year will be a big year for Paradise. We’re moving to a larger premises in Cheltenham, which we are all really excited about. The bigger studio will allow us to expand our team and offer more of these wonderful tattoos.
I will also be launching a training academy, which has been created to help professional tattoo artists develop and advance their skills into more specialised areas of tattooing, such as areola tattooing.
I plan to continue growing the Mastectomy Tattooing Alliance charity and raise more awareness of our cause and the positive impact of these life-changing tattoos. We recently added two artists from the US to our directory and I would love to add more artists from around the world and take our charity work global.
The Mastectomy Tattooing Alliance is a UK charity founded by Tanya in 2021. The MTA is dedicated to supporting the breast cancer community in their healing journey by making these empowering tattoos more accessible to people and striving to help improve the information and education available for this wonderful form of tattooing.Tanya is always looking to add more skilled areola tattoo artists and mastectomy tattoo artists to the MTA directory, so please do get in touch with her. You can donate via the website, www.mastectomytattooingalliance.org.
The tattoo community is full of horror enthusiasts – the genre captures the imagination of tattoo artists and clients alike. From gruesome characters from films and books – what could be more freaky than Chuckie covered in blood? – to figures like something from your worst nightmares. Our writer Emily Fletcher tracked down some horror tattoos collectors and the tattooists bringing these designs to life – settle in for a wild ride…
“My inspiration is horror movies, so I like to do tattoos with this theme. The shots from these movies are always contrasting and with well placed light. This I consider the main thing for my realistic tattoos. I achieve depth and volume in my work. Thus, mesmerise my clients and achieve positive emotions.”
“I’ve been a tattoo artist in London for 13 years. I grew up watching horror movies, probably too young, and also had some wild paranormal experiences – this world has been in my blood from day one. I really enjoy tattooing classic horror movie characters, such as Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, Ghostface etc… I could tattoo these everyday for the rest of my life. I specifically love meeting clients who want to have these characters on them for life and so they are probably just as big a fan as I am. I’ll even pop one of the classic movies on while they are being tattooed for the full experience – that can be quite fun.”
“The last one is one of my custom designs. I’d love to do more of these. These ideas usually come from my research into demons and anything on the darker side. I love the beauty of 1920s models and faces that are quite vintage but of course with a demonic twist, the contrast of those two elements can be striking. The one I’ve shared is my own interpretation of the demon Lilith. I specifically work in black work and black & grey. I feel this works best for these style designs.”
“I enjoy creating horror designs because I grew up watching horror movies, they’re very comforting for me. It’s also good for me mentally, it helps me to cope with anger. Horror movie killers also often just have a really badass look, which I love to draw.”
“I started collecting these tattoos because I enjoy these horror films. I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about it. It was kind of a ‘just do it!’ thing! Beetlejuice, Shorty from Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Black Phillip from The Witch and Scream. All top films for me. My tattoos are all done by Alex at Muse in Palmyra NJ.”
“I’ve always been a big horror movie fan, and as I got older I knew I wanted horror inspired tattoos. These pieces are a lot more detailed than a lot of my other work, and I just love how they turned out. I get loads of compliments on them, especially the Goosebumps tattoo as it’s very nostalgic for a lot of people. All tattoos done by @emmajeantattoos“
“From the moment I first started getting tattoos I knew I wanted mainly horror related ones – I love the genre, but I’m also a horror film writer and director. First up is one I designed myself, from IT Chapter Two. I love taking less used imagery from horror films and translating it into art for my body, it makes the piece feel super unique!”
“Then we have my favourite slasher icon Ghostface, this is probably my favourite tattoo that I have. Finally my cat baby Pennywise, I’ve always loved tattooist Barbie’s cat babies but knew I wanted a horror twist for mine, and what was better to get than Pennywise, especially since my name is Georgie. All my tattoos are done by the wonderful @barbielongfox“
“I love doing horror-related tattoos because a lot of horror is creating the narrative potential of something scary that could happen. A lot of people who come in to get these tattoos have sort of created a vague backstory around what makes the tattoo they’re getting feel spooky to them and I’m really into hearing these stories!”
“I do black and grey horror realism and Illustrative tattoos, normally with splashes of red. I have always wanted to do horror and spooky tattoos and am so lucky to finally do so at this point in my career. I feel that unintentionally my favourite film and musical Sweeney Todd– The Demon Barber of Fleet Street influenced my work with it’s beautiful desaturated colour palette and bold red blood. Despite most of my pieces being solely black and grey, the use of red truly compliments the subject matter so well and I am grateful to be tattooing a genre that goes hand in hand with my artistic vision.”
Our founder Alice Snape recently wrote a feature for HuffPost about the power of tattoos that mark transformative moments in our lives – you can read it over at huffingtonpost.co.uk.
As part of the feature, she writes about her new chest piece by Kate Mackay Gill @kate_selkie (pic in header taken by Olivia Snape) to mark her 40th birthday… and she also interviewed other tattoo collectors about the transformative reasons for getting tattooed – from taking ownership of bodies to marking the death of a loved one…
She spoke to so many people while researching the feature that sadly she couldn’t include every story, so we thought we’d share them here instead:
“In 2020, I named a tattooist who violently sexually assaulted me, then he tried to sue me for defamation. But I won what became a landmark libel case in April 2023. I got this Drowning Girl by Fidjit, who’s also a survivor as a reminder that I kept my head above water for years – and survived (hence the party hat). On top of the libel case, the perpetrator reported me for malicious communication for speaking out. Feeling powerless, I wrote “I am the evidence” over and over before driving to the police station. My experiences have been painful, but quiet moments of self-love and solidarity kept me going. Believing in myself. Believing in my strength. Believing in change. Because without hope of change, survival feels impossible.”
“I got this tattoo by Cassandra Frances in June 2021, almost two years after my eldest sister Tanya died of cancer. I wanted a tattoo that was not only in memory of Tanya, but that also that symbolised myself and my two sisters forever intertwined – even beyond this life. This tattoo is of my blonde hair, my sister Natasha’s dark brown hair, and Tanya’s warm brown hair braided together to express our sisterly bond. The women in my family all have thick, coarse hair, and I wear a braided lock of Tanya’s hair in a reliquary necklace every day, so hair feels important and somewhat sacred to me.”
Stephanie with her sisters
Rowan Stein, she/they, 32 year old cat lady living in Edinburgh
“My tattoo is by Sophie Bellingham from Cap in Hand tattoo in Loanhead. I got it after a long term abusive relationship, my ex made a lot of comments about my appearance and I was learning to let go of his voice in my head. I had originally planned for it to be on my stomach, but my skin’s too soft and it would have warped the design so we put it on my chest. It’s been a game-changer in me seeing myself the way I want to and not how others dictate.”
“This script from the Freddie Mercury song The Great Pretender. Freddie Mercury died when I was really little, and my dad was heartbroken. He and I laid on the living room floor listening to records for days, so, after my dad died, it was an obvious choice for something to get tattooed. It was done by Adam at Vagabond in Hackney about six months after dad died. It’s funny that I got a tattoo for dad at all – he had tattoos that he’d lied about his age to get, and hated them. I moved home briefly when I was in my late 20s, just after I’d got a big tattoo on my leg, and I spent the whole summer sweltering in jeans so he wouldn’t find out about it. After he died, when we went to the crematorium to see him, I told him I had tattoos. If anything was going to wake him up, that would’ve been it.”
Vegan tattoos? Yep it’s a thing. No idea where to start? Then our ultimate guide to vegan ink is for you. Given that both tattooing and veganism represent lifestyle commitments, it was just a matter of time before these two communities came together.
So, what are vegan tattoos? Vegan tattoos are essentially tattoos crafted using eco-conscious materials and methods, notably vegan ink. In contrast to conventional tattoo ink, vegan tattoo ink is entirely devoid of any animal-derived ingredients. In contrast, traditional tattoo ink is made using components extracted from animal fat, bones, or crushed beetles.
Okay, let’s dive in, here’s EYNTK about vegan tattoo ink…
Okay, so what exactly is vegan ink?
Vegan ink does not contain any ingredients derived from animals. Vegan inks use vegetable-based glycerin, witch hazel or ethanol and carbon or logwood to achieve a bold black colour. When it comes to coloured inks, what sets them apart is the liquid that companies use to mix with the powdered pigments. Vegan ink is sourced from plants or vegetables, making it a more environmentally friendly choice.
So what is traditional tattoo ink made of?
Photo: Pavel Danilyuk
Traditional tattoo inks usually consist of tiny solid pigment particles, molecular dyes, and binders all mixed together in water. However, that’s not all. As confirmed by PETA, traditional tattoo ink includes glycerin, shellac, gelatin or bone char. These are all ingredients derived from either animal fat, animal bones, or ground-up beetles. Others may contain beeswax, cod liver oil, or lanolin. These ingredients primarily serve the purpose of stabilising the ink and increasing pigmentation.
Is vegan tattoo ink safe?
While lacking scientific evidence, vegan tattoo ink is widely regarded as exceptionally safe on the skin.
Moreover, it’s often believed to have a lower likelihood of triggering allergic responses. People sporting vegan tattoos have reported enhanced colour consistency and greater longevity.
I got this tattoo back in 2021 from Carly Snow, a tattoo artist in Sheffield who used vegan ink. It’s been two years now, and my tattoo hasn’t really changed much quality wise. As you can see, using vegan tattoo ink doesn’t compromise the quality at all; the only distinction is that it’s a more ethical choice. I’m a vegetarian and passionate animal rights advocate, so I always strive to opt for the most ethical options available.
Asking vegan tattoo artists why they use vegan ink
I spoke to Harriet Hope, a vegan tattoo artist based in Brighton, UK, about why she uses vegan ink. She said:
“I choose vegan inks because there is no reason not to. Many of the popular brand inks such as Solid or Eternal are vegan, so it’s just as easy to choose vegan quality ink than anything else.
Why wouldn’t you want to limit suffering to animals when there is no loss of quality or convenience choosing vegan ink brands?”
“Well since I’m vegan myself I believe that animals are in this world with us and not for us.
The notion of exploiting them just because we can doesn’t sit well with me and doesn’t align with my morals.
When I went vegan 10 years ago I had to obviously bring my morals to my job as I thought it would be hypocritical otherwise.
Today the majority of mainstream ink brands label their products as vegan. So these inks aren’t something that you’ll only get from a vegan tattoo artist, as most people use the same ink without even knowing that they’re vegan.
So vegan ink is “traditional ink” in many cases. People were using inks free from animal products before the term ‘vegab’ came along.
Some brands still use animal products such as bone char, glycerine from animal fat, gelatine from hooves , insect parts and others but as the world progresses these brands that choose to not move with the times get left behind.
But it goes further than ink. When a tattoo artist says ‘vegan tattoos’ it means (or should mean) that all their supplies are free from animal products and cruelty free (not tested on animals) This goes for cleaning solutions, tattoo ointments, stencil papers, stencil applicators, skin preparation solutions, surface flooring and all cleaning products in general.”
No, vegan tattoos generally don’t come with a higher price tag. But, it really depends on the tattoo artist. Tattoo costs vary from one artist to another. Some base their charges on the time spent, some on the placement of the tattoo, and others may charge extra for their experience level. It’s subjective.
While a few artists might charge a bit extra for using vegan ink, usually, there are other factors that take priority when determining the final price.
Do vegan tattoos fade faster?
No, vegan tattoos do not fade faster. The longevity of tattoo ink isn’t affected by it being vegan or not. What truly counts for fading is the quality of the ingredients used and how you care for your tattoo afterwards.
Are vegan tattoos the future?
With the surge in veganism’s popularity and a growing shift towards progressive and eco-conscious values, the tattoo industry has undergone a transformation. Today, many tattoo studios and artists are embracing vegan-friendly practices and products that are both cruelty-free and environmentally friendly. As a result, the use of vegan ink is becoming increasingly mainstream within the tattooing community.
Vegan tattoo aftercare
If you’re all about that vegan life, that’ll include tattoo aftercare too. Make sure to keep an eye out for these ingredients when you’re on the hunt for vegan tattoo aftercare products.
Aloe butter
Calendula
Coconut oil
Lavender
Vitamin E
Peppermint
Rosemary oil extract
Shea butter
Sunflower, grapeseed and rice bran oils
Various essential oils and natural fragrances.
Vegan tattoo aftercare skips harsh chemicals and synthetic ingredients, sparing your skin from irritation. Instead, it uses natural ingredients to soothe and speed up healing, reducing scabbing too.
How to find a vegan tattoo artist
To find a vegan tattoo artist, you can easily search for ‘vegan tattoo artist‘ on Instagram. Instagram is great for tattoo artists because it lets them showcase their work visually. If you can’t find a specific artist, searching for ‘vegan tattoo studio’ can introduce you to multiple vegan tattoo artists.
Usually, these artists or studios will mention their use of vegan ink in their social media bios. If not, you can send them a quick direct message (DM) to ask if they use vegan ink or have a vegan ink option available. It’s a simple way to make sure you’re getting a tattoo that aligns with your values.
Vegan tattoo ink brands
Are you a tattoo artist looking to switch to vegan ink? Check out these 5 brands that provide high-quality ethical tattoo ink.
Opting for a vegan tattoo is no different from getting one with conventional ink. If you’re interested in getting a vegan tattoo, explore the mentioned artists or search for one near you. If you can’t find a vegan tattoo artist nearby, keep an eye out for upcoming tattoo conventions where you’ll likely find talented vegan artists!
About the author – Emily Fletcher
“In 2022, I received my BA (Hons) in English Literature. Currently, I work as an SEO Executive at a digital marketing agency in Sheffield, while also freelance writing in my spare time. I have always loved writing, and I thoroughly enjoy delving into people’s opinions, dissecting the significance behind topics, and discussing unconventional subjects. I find great fulfilment in challenging people’s thoughts. My aim is for readers to gain fresh insights and learn something new from my writings.
On my 18th birthday, my parents gave me money for my first tattoo. My dad sat with me for the whole three hours with a Lucozade orange on hand. Since my first tattoo, I haven’t stopped, nor intend to just yet. To me, tattoos are like a permanent piecing of clothing. How you express yourself in your dress sense, I express myself through my tattoos. They make me feel confident and happy when I look in the mirror. I love finding new artists, new styles, though I stick to American Traditional, I love treating my body like a personal diary. My favourite tattoo is my first arm piece done by Sheffield based tattoo artist Earl Reyn, a red dragon as seen below. Though I get a lot of compliments on my tattoos wherever I go, this one in particular strikes people’s attention.”
