As a tattoo artist in training, Chloe Pinnock has tattooed her fair share of grapefruits and oranges. It’s all part of her apprenticeship at Dead Tree Tattoo and Piercing she started in October.
“It was always something in the back of my mind but I never thought I’d have the opportunity to pursue it,” she says.
What began as a hobby is quickly turning into a career for the 19 year old. Before she was practicing with a tattoo gun, Pinnock was busy making her mark on friends by way of stick-and-poke tattoos. It’s a more basic form of tattooing, involving a sewing needle, some India ink and a lot of patience.
Her roommate recommended Pinnock show some of her stuff to Matt Ford, the owner of Dead Tree. Although she’s got artistic talent, the tattoo gun is something Pinnock is still getting used to.
“It feels a lot more official. You have a lot more options with machines where as stick-and-poke is very limited. It’s like taking a lot of different elements from things that you’re comfortable doing and the basic things that inspire you, like colors, and how it fits on the body,” she says.
Pinnock’s inspiration began picking up speed this past September during her first semester at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. She says it helped her decide what she really wanted to do.
“The whole college thing wasn’t for me, but was a good starting point. You try a bunch of different things and see what you like best.”
Other than inking oranges, Pinnock’s apprenticeship includes scrubbing down tools, setting up and tearing down stations and learning about cross contamination. Her first few weeks were filled with line tracing, often of the same pattern over and over. It’s all about getting used to stuff that isn’t necessarily her style.
Her hard work is paying off so far. The artist has tattooed eight people professionally.
“It’s intimidating but at the same time you know what you’re doing and if you talk to them enough there’s a kind of bond built,” she says.
When it comes to making mistakes, Pinnock doesn’t dwell on that. She says talented tattoo artists are able to work with whatever comes their way.
“You can add colors and shading here or there, adding one thing to take away from another. There are options if you take enough creative liberty.”
It’s a potentially nerve-wracking occupation, but Pinnock is in her element when she’s in the studio. The artist hopes to attend the Hub City Tattoo Expo next September in Moncton, where more than 50 artists will gather to showcase and share their work with the public and fellow tattoo artists.
“When you’re tattooing somebody it feels like you’re tattooing a friend because you’re talking the whole time. If they have a meaning with their tattoo they tell you and you have a better understanding, it makes it easier.”
