Written by Sierra Paige for Zensa
https://zensaskincare.com/blog/interview-with-tattoo-artist-and-former-cast-member-of-australias-bondi-ink
Giorgia Mae chats with Zensa about her experiences as a traveling tattoo artist
Zensa sat down with the lovely Giorgia Mae, formerly of the TV series Bondi Ink to chat about her experiences as a travelling tattoo artist. Currently living and working in a private, all female studio just off Commercial Drive in Vancouver, BC, we chatted about the weather (of course), her passion for combining her love for travel and tattooing and her favourite moments in her career so far. Walking into her studio was instant good vibes. The small but spacious studio is hidden on the top floor of a commercially zoned house on the corner of Grant and Commercial. The walls are covered with drawings and stencils from previous tattoo designs that will inspire your first tattoo or an entire sleeve. Catch her in Vancouver before she heads off on her next adventure.
When did you start your career as a tattoo artist?
I started my apprenticeship back in 2012, I did 2 years of unpaid work before I picked up a machine, I didn’t start tattooing full time as an apprentice until 2015 and finished up early 2016.
Who or what influences you?
I am really inspired by other artists in the industry that take risks and break the rules with their pieces. I’m also influenced by the places I travel too.
Some of the artists that really inspired me to get into tattooing are some amazing Australian women such as Rachi Brains and Emily Rose Murray.
These days I am inspired by so many amazing female artists such as Ellie Thompson, Megan Massacre and Hannah Flowers.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not tattooing people?
When I’m not tattooing I’m usually drawing for clients, I honestly don’t get any time off in my week to week so I take big trips when I get the chance to make up for it.
Who is your favourite tattoo artist of all time and why?
My favourite tattoo artist of all time will always be Rachi Brains, she’s unbelievable and her work is always progressing.
What has been your favourite moment in your career, so far?
My favourite moment in my career so far? That’s such a hard question and I’ve never really had to think about that before... I guess I would say the moment when I realized I didn’t have anxiety before every tattoo anymore. Everyone goes through struggling with nerves early on in their careers and its the best feeling when you go to work and you just feel relaxed because you actually know you can handle any obstacle.
Where do you see yourself living and tattooing in five years?
I don’t like to make plans that far into the future because it makes for a boring disappointing life haha. It’s better to have goals but also let life take you where you need to be, I definitely didn’t think I would have ended up living half the places I’ve lived but is all been totally amazing.
What your next destination after Vancouver?
I’m in the process of legally immigrating to America right now so if all goes well i’ll be living in New York by January 2018.
How do you describe your style?
I would describe my style as neo-traditional sometimes a little illustrative and sometimes I throw a little bit of realism in there, I get bored of doing the same thing all the time so I do try and mix it up.