The Art of Tattoo Design with Megan Black of The Belladonna

21 Nov

Megan Black is a talented tattoo artist from the West Midlands, working at The Belladonna Tattoo Parlour, a friendly and welcoming space run by Megan’s sister Kristie. Meg and Kristie tattoo alongside Kristie’s husband Tom and good friend Sophie. We spoke to Meg about all things tattoos - her experience as an artist, everything you need to know when getting a tattoo, and the joys of working in a female-owned tattoo shop.

1. When did you start tattooing and what was your process to becoming a tattoo artist?

I did my first tattoo in June 2021. There are no formal qualifications needed to tattoo and so these apprenticeships have no regulation. In order to become licensed, the council needs to assess the hygiene practices of the shop you’re working in - they don’t actually assess the standard of your work at all! Apprenticeships are also often unpaid and this leaves people open to being taken advantage of. The quality of your apprenticeship really depends on the shop you’re working in and who your mentors are. I was lucky that my sister, Kristie, was already a talented tattoo artist and could take me through my apprenticeship at her shop. I started on more simple designs, and would only tattoo when Kristie was there to support me. That way, if I had any questions or was struggling with anything, I could just ask for some help. When I first started learning, I would advertise designs that I wanted to practice for free. My brother, Callum, volunteered his leg for me to practice on which I am so grateful for! Once I was confident tattooing without help, I then became a junior artist.

2. What is an average day in your job like?

I usually spend the first hour of the day cleaning and making sure the stations are set up, ready to start tattooing at 11am. I then discuss the sizing and placement with my customer and get them to complete a consent form whilst I print their stencil. The shop is open, with four of us tattooing in the same room. I love this set up as most of the time, all the artists and customers talk to each other. This creates a really welcoming and supportive environment. Obviously sometimes, people want more privacy and so we are more than happy to use partition screens in these situations. At home, I draw my designs and send these to customers for feedback. I like to draw designs at least a day in advance of any appointment, so I have time to make any changes that might be needed. I also respond to my messages and manage my diary in the evenings.

3. How would you describe your art style? Where do you get inspiration from?

Particularly when I started my apprenticeship, I took a lot of inspiration from traditional tattoos. I still love tattooing anything bold and colourful - traditional pet portraits are my favourite! As I became more confident tattooing, I also started doing more fine-line tattoos. With fine-line tattoos, I love designing anything floral or fruit themed!

4. How does your artwork and style blend into your tattoos when people ask for specific images or styles?

Reference photos are always really useful for gauging what sort of tattoo a customer wants. They also act as a good basis for discussing whether there are certain parts of other tattoos that my customer really likes or doesn’t like! I then create a unique design for them based on these preferences. This means that the final design is generally my own interpretation of the customer’s ideas and reference photos.

5. What are your own tattoos inspired by and what plans do you have for your next ones?

My own tattoos are a mix - some are definitely meaningful, whereas others I got because I liked how they looked. My most meaningful tattoo is probably the ‘Wish You Were Here’ tattoo that I got for my dad. I also have tattoos for my nan, grandad, brother and dogs. Hobbies can also be a good place to seek tattoo inspiration - so I have a few ‘reading’ themed tattoos which I love. All of my tattoos are quite traditional, and most are in black and grey, though I do have some in colour too! In terms of next tattoos, I really want to have the backs of my knees done but I keep changing my mind on what to get. It’s also meant to be quite a painful area, so I’m not in any rush!

6. Do you have favourite tattoos, projects, or any unusual requests that you have been asked to do?

I really like tattooing any pet or animal-themed tattoos, florals or colourful designs! I’ve been working on a few traditional sleeves which are always really enjoyable, too. I’ve been quite lucky in that I haven’t had too many unusual requests, but if I ever had a request that I wasn’t comfortable with, I’d just turn it down!

7. What is a misconception people often have about tattoos, and what do you think people should know before getting one done?

One misconception people have, and often ask me about, is whether white ink hurts more. Generally, it’s just the application process that makes white ink seem more painful. As the lightest colour, white will often be applied last. As the skin is already sore, this can make the white feel like the most painful part - but it’s nothing to do with the ink itself. As tattoos are so popular now, I don’t think they have as many negative connotations as they used to. It’s clear how attitudes have changed when I tattoo older women. I’ve tattooed quite a few women over 65 who wanted a tattoo when they were younger but were put off by family and cultural stigmas. As they’ve gotten older and seen these stigmas ease, they finally feel comfortable getting their tattoo. These types of projects can be really rewarding. Before getting a tattoo, it’s useful to think carefully about what you want to get and why. Whilst meaning is important, it’s also important that the tattoo looks good visually. Sometimes, trying to fit too many ideas into one design in an attempt to maximise ‘meaning’ can hinder the design process. It’s all about finding a good balance.

8. Tell us about where you work. What is it like to work in a family-owned, female-owned tattoo shop?

I work at my sister’s shop, The Belladonna Tattoo Parlour. Both my brother-in-law, Tom, and our family friend, Soph, also work there. This creates a really nice, supportive working environment where we all help each other. A lot of customers have also commented that the shop has a really welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Getting a tattoo can be an intimidating process and so finding the right shop for you is so important. I think the bright pink shop exterior is also definitely a draw for some people!

9. What is your favourite part about being a tattoo artist and what does it mean to you?

One of my favourite parts about my job is working with my family. It’s not for everyone, but I love it - we get on really well and I know they’re always there to support me. Being a tattoo artist has also helped me grow so much as a person. I’ve always been quite shy growing up, but in this job, you’re meeting and talking to new people every day. I am so grateful to be able to tattoo as it has enabled me to meet so many amazing people.

10. What do you do outside of work? Are you creative in all aspects of your life?

I did an English degree before I started tattooing, so I really love reading. I read a lot in my spare time and have started writing recently, too. I went on a pottery course with my mom just before lockdown, so I’ve also done pottery since then.