Tattoo Artist: Claire Reid
CLAIRE REID
Interview: Ákos Bánfalvi
Claire Reid was born in England in 1982 and has always
had an obsession for art. As a child, she was constantly
drawing or spending time in nature. She loves all forms
of art and self-expression. Over the years, Claire delved
into many different mediums that enabled her to express
her voice in many ways. She has a story to tell and a
perception of the world as distorted as the next person
and she loves to express this in her art.
“I am an artist primarily and foremost interested in the
other realms beyond our conscious mind and the beauty
of our planet. My main inspiration and drive as an artist
comes from these two things and I am on a constant
journey to be able to portray them on skin and canvas.
Tattooing is an incredible medium to work with as not
only am I able to create beautiful images, I am also
portraying people’s journeys on their skin. I love to try and
connect with what my customers want to get tattooed,
and understand who they are and what they are trying to
express.”
How long have you been a tattoo artist? Did you have a
formal apprenticeship?
I first became interested in tattooing when I was 16 as
I loved art, anything alternative, and body modification.
I went to college and studied sociology as I was told
that art would not get me a job and didn’t follow up with
tattooing until I finished college in 2004 and I became
a piercer. I started tattooing in 2005 and had a 6 week
apprenticeship that gave me the basics of what I needed
to know. From there, I started a journey to study with
some of the most incredible tattoo artists around the
world. I have been incredibly lucky and worked alongside
many famous tattoo artists who have all taught me
everything that I know. After 9 years of tattooing, I still
feel that I am an apprentice just scratching the surface of
tattooing and all that I could know about the profession.
What is it like being a female artist in a primarily male
industry?
I love working in a predominantly male industry with
male tattoo artists and have always been treated with the
utmost respect. There is always so much laughter in the
studios and I think that tattoo artists are a whole different
breed to others in normal society. Many of us do not fit
into the box or society and it takes a certain person to
be drawn to this lifestyle. We have the freedom to travel
all over the world with our art and experience so many
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incredible cultures. It takes courage to live a form of selfexpression that many hide from the rest of the world and
because of this, we are free. I love the family that I have
found through tattooing.
Do you feel that male customers treat you differently?
I have the most incredible customers, the vast majority
being male. All of my customers have had amazing
journeys and I feel honoured to be a part this. My
customers generally know that I believe tattoos to be a
rite of passage and they want their tattoos to have that
deeper meaning also. I love talking over the metaphysical
aspects of their journeys and delving under events for
greater understanding. By marking the skin people are
transformed and wear their journey and transition that
took them from where they were to who they are now. It
is important to express who we are with tattoos being a
window to the soul as such, and it is important to find the
right tattoo that can portray what the person is wanting to
express.
Though the dynamics are constantly changing, there
are still obviously many fewer female tattoo artists in the
industry than men. Has being a female ever presented
challenges to you along the way? Do you feel you have
had to work even harder to achieve the success you have
than might have been necessary for a man?
I have found that my s