My first portrait – Lovely Katy from Mighty Fine Things and Best of Faversham Market asked me to draw a portrait of her as a present for her partner showing her amazing polynesian tattoo.
Katy says
“Back in 2007 I went sailing… across the Pacific, in a tall ship. The idea of a tattoo came with the territory (or lack of) – and finally being brave enough and meeting the person/ people I trusted to do it. In quite a big way.
Mine is in two parts (so far…) the first by Mata Tiki from Nuka Hiva in The Marquesan Islands of French Polynesia and the second by T in Raratonga in The Cook Islands. Each island has their own designs and every tattoo tells a story based on either spirituality or history and identity – courage, power, achievements, protection, and blessings from the Gods.
The first one I designed the shape for and Mata Tiki used traditional designs to fill in – I’m told signifying change and new beginnings… The second one (top left) I was more relaxed about and is more traditional. I told T my story, he prayed for guidance and drew the tattoo freestyle based on that.
I’d thought about a photographic portrait for a while but, just like when I met the tattooists, when I met Jemma and I saw some of her drawings I knew she was the person to draw the portrait. So a drawing it was – and I love it.”
Thanks Katy, so pleased you like it!
Miss Jemma Elf 