![]() I find myself taking photos on my travels of things that I think I can use for inspiration and incorporate into my artwork. Tattooing is my driving passion and I approach everyday as an opportunity to continue to tattoo clients and as an opportunity to examine the way I work, what I draw and seek to continually better myself. It sounds like you never really ‘switch off’ from tattooing. Saying that, I am just as happy to be at home painting, down the pub having a pint or combing through local antique stores buying bizarre nick-knacks that take my interest. The religious iconography of both periods continues to fascinate me. And am incorporating the things I have seen into my artwork. I was drawn to London as I find medieval and renaissance cities really inspiring. Plenty of time to entertain yourself with then? Later this year I’m doing a guest spot back at Fox (Body Art) and catching up with the old crew… But first I have a twenty-nine hour flight to endure! ![]() After several years I felt I wanted to expand me horizons, both personally and artistically, so I packed my bags and set off to London. I starting learning at Tattoo Addiction, but began my apprenticeship at Fox Body Art (Melbourne). I kept drawing and saving up for bits of equipment, learning whatever I could to prepare me for an apprenticeship in the future. Coming from the deathrock, Goth and punk scene in Australia and having spent most of my teenage years drawing or sketching, I ended up becoming obsessed with working towards becoming a tattooist. I think the thing that really attracted me to tattooing was the permanence of the art form especially the precision and focus needed to do apply one. I especially enjoy bringing a unique perspective to Japanese and traditional old school tattoos. I tattoo a variety of styles but have a couple of favourites. Sure, I do custom work and design every tattoo that I do. Hi, my name is Katan Blakie and I moved from Australia to London about a year and a half ago.Ĭan you describe your style of tattooing and interest in the art? This is a good point to let you get to know a bit about the resident artists at Old London Road…įirst, please introduce yourself to our readers. They all work together and it makes a fantastic environment to be in.” At the moment we have a really great mix of personalities and styles. “It was also important that we get in the right artists. Old London Road currently has three tattooists working there full-time and a piercer who also performs scarification work. Jamie explains why he went for this “It was important to try to create an informal atmosphere for clients, so that a person from any walk of life can come in and not feel uncomfortable or unwelcome". Avoiding the overdone Faux-American parlour look, the décor in the reception area makes more than a nod towards a classic look. Having been around tattooing for most of his life Jamie had a clear idea of how he wanted to studio environment to be. Over the last two years, the studio has steadily grown in reputation as their artists have been getting more and more attention at conventions. In August 2007 the ‘Tardis-like’ premises next door came up and Old London Road Tattoos was born. ![]() Being a tattoo collector himself he knew the right location and ‘feel’ of the place was almost as important to the customer as the quality of artist. Then in 2007 he was in a position to realise his dream of owning a tattoo studio. Deciding he wanted to run a business where he didn’t have to put on a suit everyday, he later bought ‘The Fighting Cocks’ and it has slowly built up a reputation for putting on solid punk and rock acts. He moved to Kingston from sunny Oz in 1989. Avid tattoo collector Jamie O’Grady owns both. Is it any coincidence that a rock bar and a tattoo studio are next door to each other? There’s the well known ‘The Fighting Cocks’ pub which hosts many live shows from touring bands and next to it is ‘Old London Road’ Tattoo studio. However, once you’ve walked past the famous domino effect ‘toppled red phone boxes’ and hit London Road things get a bit more rock 'n' roll. At first, Kingston looks like any other town on the edge of London A short drive, direct train taking you into a world of red brick offices, retail zombies and coffee shops. ![]()
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