Meighan Mary

Posted on Monday, 22 March 2010 by Ben

aSomeone asked me the other day, “Why do you post so much traditional tattoo stuff”? To be truthful, i didn’t really have an answer. It’s not as if i don’t like other styles of tattooing, I have all the respect and admiration in the world for guys like Paul Booth and Jack Rudy, through to the Japanese masters such as Horiyoshi III (hint), all the way to guys doing super realistic portrait style work such as Nikko and Mick Squires, but something always draws me to traditional tattooing, whether it is how it speaks volumes through it’s relative simplicity, or be it that it is a style that will stand the test of time – I’m not too sure. Perhaps it still retains that certain element of magic and mystery that seems to be ever fading in the tattoo world, whatever it is you are sure to find a whole lot more of it here at This Life.

Staying true to building you a database of the best tattooers from all over the globe, thslfe is stoked to present you, Meighan Mary, working at Alien Art, Mayfield NSW, AUSTRALIA.(Soon to relocate to Melbourne, VIC)

Thanks for your time Meighan, whats been happening?

No problem. Lately i have been working a lot, getting ready for this years body art expo and spending as much time as i can with my new little pug baby, Nacho, oh and getting ready to move!

For those who don’t know, can you tell us a bit about who you are and what you do?

well im from newcastle, which is about two hours from sydney. im a pretty quiet person, i like good rum, good people and good humor. i have been tattooing for three years now an totally enjoying it. i love doing traditional tattoos i find them the most fun an exciting to do.

How does a typical day in your life usually unfold?

Get up and all that stuff, get to work then have a coffee or tea, draw stuff for the day, draw a penis for Ash, work work work then home to Mitchel and Nacho.

What initially got you involved in art, and how did that lead you in to becoming a tattooist?

I always loved art and making it from when i was young, but i went to a fancy school and it never occured to me that you could make a living from doing art unless it was graphic design and i’m terrible with computers. So i sort of gave up on it for a while until i started getting tattooed.

Favourite medium to work with apart from tattooing and why?

I like watercolour, i’m too impatient for anything else. I kind of have a love and hate relationship with painting, i’ll do a bunch and then have painters block for months.

Who taught you to tattoo, and how have they had any effect on your style today?

I sort of learnt to tattoo in a little street shop but i really think i learnt the most from getting tattooed by artists i looked up to.

And in saying that, how have your styles evolved since you began tattooing?

When i first started tattooing my style was a bit darker. Now its a bit more like the tattoos i have myself. I like it when i put a tattoo on someone that i would like on myself.

I guess you could say Tattoo’s have become accepted in today’s society, possibly even expected, obviously there being more people for you to tattoo is a good thing, but do you think there is a downside to it?

I think it’s lost the mystery abit. I love the craft’s history and it’s kind of a shame people dont care about it and a tattoo to them is just the latest trend or to be like that “cool dude” that has hand an throat tattoos without a job.

How do you think certain “reality” tattoo shows on TV have affected tattooing on a broad scale?

I guess good and bad. I don’t really watch it so i dont think i can really comment but i just wish people would stop telling me what their tattoo represents. Those shows are not real!

What’s been pumping through your speakers lately?

I like a bit of everything. mostly Rancid or the Slackers, West bound train i’m enjoying and i love the new Spinnerette album.

Greatest accomplishment as an artist/ tattooist?

Putting a clean tattoo on a happy customer

No doubt you have seen some pretty fucked tattoo’s in your time, what is the worst tattoo you’ve ever seen?

Ohh yes haha thank you Ebay. I’ve seen some horrid portraits and i once saw a cock an balls with schoolies 07 at the bottom.

Favourite place to kick it?

At home with my boys. I really enjoy the food and Sangria at our local mexican resturant.

What are you thoughts on the resurgence of Traditional Tattooing?

I think its great.They stand the test of time and they are so beautiful, i don’t know why people wouldn’t like traditional tattoos.

What was your first tattoo, and who did it?

It was a small star on my wrist, by some dude in some shop i really can’t remember who it was.

What inspires you to create?

Where do i start? So many things, from other tattooers to the weather, a gin and tonic, it can be anything really.

What’s in your pockets right now?

Some dog treats for Nacho, money and some Dr. Pepper lip gloss.

What are your views/opinions on the World and Society today?

I’m a pretty simple person and i try to just focus on my immediate world because the world as a whole is a bit fucked up.

Name 5 you always pack on your travels?

Camera, Mitchel, nacho, thongs and rum.

How much has tattooing changed since you began, and where do you see it going in the future?

Well i havent been tattooing all that long. I guess it’s a lot more popular now. A guy i work with is convinced were all gonna go back to Celtic and Ornimental tattoos, i hope he is wrong.