THE WAVE INK: AUGUST '18

Leighanne Devaney
@devaneytattoos
Did you do any of them yourself?
I did tattoo myself once to practice before I was trained but I chose the bottom of my calf which wasn’t the best place
and was awkward and I gave in and got someone else to finish it.
Do your friends let you tattoo them for practice?
If I have designs I want to play around with close friends, regular customers and my partner all let me try new things
on them.
How long have you been a tattoo
artist?
I have been in the tattoo industry
6 years. I did a 3year apprenticeship
and then I opened up my
own studio on 22 August 2015
and my business has been growing
ever since .
Do you remember the first tattoo
that you ever done ?
I’d always loved the idea of being
a tattoo artist but when I first left
college I started working at Tesco’s
and earning money and just
forgot about tattooing. My mate
was into tattooing and asked me
to tattoo a little tribal symbol on
his arm as he knew I loved artwork
and interested in the tattoo
scene and that’s the first tattoo
I ever did and that’s where my
story begun.
Do you find that there are any
challenges that you face being a
female artist?like do some think
you aren’t that good because you’re
a women ?
I sometimes get asked if I’m the
artist in my studio when I answer
the door and when I say yes
people look at me surprised at
the fact I’m a women and say you
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don’t look like your typical tattoo
artist. (Whatever we are meant to
look like :) ) but my artwork does
the talking and I let them judge
for themselves.
How would you describe your
tattooing style ?
I would say my tattooing style
is detailed and intricate. I love
realism, detailed pieces and really
enjoy a challenge. I love both
colour and black and grey work
with hints of colour.
What is the secret to achieving
such detail in your Tattoos ?
I focus and study the piece I’m
working on before I tattoo it.
Where is the most difficult place to
tattoo someone?
I think the heel near the ankle
bone is always a difficult area to
tattoo.
How many tattoos do you
currently have ?
I currently have 11 tattoos but
would like a few more. I’m just
waiting on a space for the artist
I currently want to get tattooed
by .
Should people get tattoos while intoxicated?
No I don’t think being intoxicated and getting tattoos mix at all.
What has been the most bizarre tattoo you have ever done on someone ?
I once tattooed tigger out of Winnie the Pooh as a chef with a fork and steak in one hand and utensils in the other ,
stood next to a bbq with a kebab on it.
What tattoo artists, if any, do you draw inspiration from?
During my apprenticeship I really loved joe carpenters work and was really inspired by it and I still look at his work
now along with Ricky Lopez , Steve Butcher, Ryan the scientist smith and Jenna Kerr.
What’s the secret of being a great tattoo artist?
I personally think you just have to love art in order to be a great tattoo artist . Perseverance and stepping out your
comfort zone .
Who is your favourite tattoo artist?
My favourite artist of all time would have to be Steve butcher I think his attention to detail is incredible. But there are
many talented artists out there .
For a first timer, where should they get a tattoo if they do not like a lot of pain?
For a first timer who isn’t good with pain should maybe have a shoulder or thigh tattoo as I have found people find
them the most comfortable places.
Words of advice for anyone that wants to become a tattoo artist ?
Anyone wanting to become a tattoo artist need to be dedicated to the tattoo industry and really be passionate about
their artwork and want to stand out.
Where can we get inked by you and see more of your work?
You can get inked by me at Devaney Tattoos in Norfolk (England) .
Can check out my work on Facebook -Devaney Tattoos and removal
Instagram. Devaney_Tattoos or www.devaneytattoos.co.uk
@thewaveX | 21