Reese Hilburn is a tattooist and fine artist who shot to fame in the hit US television show ‘Tattoo Nightmares’. Since then, she's been gallivanting around the world, tattoo machine in hand, and currently she can be found at Luckys Tattoo Parlor in downtown San Diego, California.
What was your first memory of tattoos?
Living on the beach you are exposed to tattoos early on because, well, we beach dwellers don't wear much clothing! I always found the designs intriguing, like a child seeing something shiny; just mesmerising. In high school I had Surf PE, and our surf instructor had tattoos. I was hooked on the idea of being tattooed. Not just one or two – I wanted to be heavily tattooed.
And did you always want to be a model or an actor?
No, I never planned it all. My father wanted my brother and myself to be child actors, but we didn't like it. I chose sports at school and for a long time I told myself I would never get in front of a camera again. I wanted a stable desk job, so I pursued a career as an accountant. I actually already had my sleeve at that time. I loved the idea of becoming a tattoo artist, but it wasn't until I was in my 20s that I found out I could draw!
How did you get into tattooing?
A flyer for a 'wine and paint' night came through my door – and I love wine, so I thought “What the hell, why not?” even though I'd never painted before. I ended up selling my first painting for a pretty penny... pretty enough to think that maybe I had a talent for it. So I quit accountancy, went back to school to study Fine Art, and became a full time artist. At one of my gallery shows a guy came up to me and asked if I'd ever thought about tattooing. I said yes! I'd tried getting an apprenticeship, but either the artists didn't have time or they didn't want a female working in the shop, so when this opportunity came along I jumped at it and held on tight.
As a tattooist, how would you describe your style?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 147 من Total Tattoo.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Issue 147 من Total Tattoo.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Sasha O'kharin
‘Progress doesn't have a final destination.’
The Hand Exhibition
‘For me it was like Christmas, unwrapping all the artworks as they arrived...’
London Tattoo Convention
One of the biggest and most exceptional tattoo circuses on the planet takes over London's Tobacco Dock every September. This show has been going for so long, and operating at such a consistently high level, that it's easy to overlook just what it has achieved.
Burning Bright - The Prints Of Alex Binnie
One of many exciting things at this year's London Tattoo Convention was the launch of Burning Bright, a stunning new book of Alex Binnie's prints from American fine art publishers Raking Light Projects. We spoke with Andrew Fingerhut about his vision for the book and his collaboration with the legendary tattooist and prolific printmaker who founded iconic London studio Into You.
Affanita
Tala Easton, aka Affanita, works at The Rising Tide Tattoo Collective in Poole. Although she is not long into her tattoo career, she has already established herself as a talented artist with a unique style.
James Barny Watts
Artist James Barny Watts was born and raised in New Zealand. He came to the UK in the late 80s with his band Static, but after landing a record deal and touring as a drummer, things petered out. He found himself drawn back to his first love, art, and a chance encounter led him into the world of tattoos, his major source of inspiration. We caught up with him in his studio space (conveniently located behind Lal Hardy's famous London shop New Wave Tattoo) where he makes his amazing tattoo-themed carved paintings and engravings.
Jessica Kinzer
Jessica is an extraordinary new talent in the tattoo world. Although she's only been tattooing for two and a half years, she demonstrates a level of skill and professionalism that often takes far longer to develop. Winner of German tattoo magazine Tätowier's 'Best Newcomer' award, we think she has a great career ahead of her.
An American Road Trip
Tattooing from the East Coast to the West Coast with Rizza Boo and Taylor PART ONE
Karlee Jane
Like all of our cover models Karlee Jane is so much more than a pretty face. She has successfully combined her passions for photography, ballet, modelling and yoga to create a busy and fulfilling life that sees her jetting about all over the place. We managed to track her down to find out a little more about what makes this West Coast girl tick...
Cervena Fox
Cervena Fox has been setting the tattoo world alight for many years now. She is a well-known tattoo model, appearing on numerous magazine covers and boasting a seven-figure social medial following, and she is also a founder member of Pyrohex, the famous all-girl pyromania show that regularly performs at tattoo conventions (including our very own Big North Tattoo Show). Cervena is now a tattooist herself, and with her recent marriage to American tattoo legend Durb Morrison her stratospheric career shows no sign whatsoever of slowing down!
