Tattoo surge in Treendale

A Treendale tattoo parlour was flooded with bookings this month after opening for the first time since COVID-19 forced it to shut.

A Federal Government order to close tattoo parlours to prevent the spread of the virus, devastated the industry and left many artists out of work.

However, things are looking promising for the ink fanatics, who were able to return to work two weeks ago.

Treendale Portside Tattoos and Piercings senior tattoo artist Andy Brotton said there was a high demand in ink work after a three-month hiatus.

“On our first day back, we had six times the amount of people booked in than what we would normally have on an ordinary day,” Mr Brotton said.

The tattooist said the surge was mainly people who rescheduled their tattoos from March and April.

“I have almost caught up with all my postponed appointments, I only have a couple of artworks to go,” he said.

Mr Brotton said the day before the restrictions came into play was a “mad rush”.

“People were just coming in and hoping to get their tattoo before the lockdown period.

“I worked until 11pm that night in an attempt to fit in as many clients as I could.

“People have been really understanding about it, there was not much we could do.”

The tattoo parlour has also given two local tattoo artists, Sebastian Italiano from Harvey and Jasmine Rossiter from Brunswick, pictured below, a start in the competitive industry.

In 2017, Mr Italiano joined the team as an eager young apprentice.

“I was always into art so when I finished school and my brother said he could see me doing tattoo work, I decided to look into it,” Mr Italiano said.

“I love the idea of my art being on someone’s body, it’s a great canvas.”

The 21-year-old has progressed through the ranks and has found his own unique style.

“I enjoy doing the neo traditional style of tattoos,” he said.

Mrs Rossiter is a second year apprentice and said she was “extremely grateful” for the opportunity.

“My Maori heritage is definitely my inspiration when it comes to art,” she said.

“I love working with patterns, mandalas and traditional tribal designs.”

The tattoo artists have ramped up cleaning procedures since reopening, but said tattoo parlours were generally sterile places.