Reese Hilburn

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?