For the first ten years of my career, my work was primarily black-and-grey realism. During that time, I was fortunate to work in some of the UK's most respected tattoo shops, including Cult Classic Tattoo and Into You in London, surrounded by extremely accomplished Japanese tattooers.
Horimono had always been my first love, so I spent those years quietly watching, listening and absorbing as much as I could. When my wife Stef and I decided to leave London and open our own studio, Eightfold Tattoo, I made the decision to devote my work primarily to Japanese tattooing and the culture surrounding it.
What continues to fascinate me most is the depth of Horimono—its history, imagery and countless nuances. The subjects found within Japanese tattooing also exist throughout Japanese art, mythology, folklore and everyday culture. As someone outside of that culture, I understand that there will always be limitations to what I can fully comprehend. Rather than discouraging me, that creates a lifetime of discovery. The more I learn and respectfully understand, the more deeply committed I become.
I continue developing my visual knowledge by studying the pioneers of Horimono: how they construct a tattoo, organise a bodysuit and allow a composition to move across the body. I also closely examine the ukiyo-e woodblock prints of artists such as Kyōsai, Hokusai and Kuniyoshi.
To better understand the stories behind the imagery, I seek out translated Japanese folklore, historical material, trusted tattoo publications and Japanese scholarly papers available in English. I also learn through conversations with friends whose knowledge extends beyond my own. My approach continues to evolve because every new piece of knowledge changes the way I see and construct a tattoo.
The relationship I build with each client is equally important. Large projects can bring us together regularly over several years, so the process must be founded on mutual trust and respect. I want every client to feel proud of their finished tattoo and confident that it was created by someone who cared deeply about the piece they will carry for the rest of their life.
At Eightfold Tattoo, Stef and I are committed to creating a calm, relaxed and professional environment without ego. My commitment to Horimono and the culture surrounding it is lifelong, and it is a responsibility I take very seriously.
