Wear your heart on your skin

Kie specialises in black and grey realism, and exclusively larger pieces.

Since he started tattooing, he’s seen a lot more young people willing to sit under the needle for up to six hours on end.

Not doing a tattoo under A4 size, Kie sees mainly male clients who are interested in his iconic animal and face-portrait pieces.

“I say no to people two or three times a week,” he said.

Black Crown Tattoo doesn’t do walk-ins, so Kie hasn’t had to say no to a client who’s had a few drinks and made an impulse decision.

“I only tattoo my own designs on people. So, if it’s not an idea that I’m going to get creative with, and I can’t do it justice, then I won’t do it.”

Clients who want to get inked at Black Crown Tattoo by Kie or the other full-time artist, Bree, need to book an appointment via email.

Like most service businesses in Shepparton, Black Crown Tattoo had to close during the COVID-19 lockdowns, leaving the tattoo artists with a two-year backlog of appointments that they only caught up with six months ago.

Now Kie’s flat out again, booked three months in advance.

When a client reaches out to Black Crown Tattoo, the artists usually ask them to have a look online for a style that they’re passionate about to start them in the right direction of the design they want.

“I feel like a lot of people have a picture in their head, and it’s not (always) going to be like that,” Kie said.

“A tattoo might have to be a certain size, otherwise the lines will run together, and an experienced artist will be able to make sure that the best quality tattoo is inked into your skin forever.

“You’ve just got to trust the artist, because you’ve picked them because you like their work.”

You can book an appointment with a Black Crown Tattoo artist via: blackcrowntattoo@gmail.com

Find out more online at: www.blackcrowntattoo.com.au or visit Facebook: @blackcrowntattooau or Instagram: @blackcrowntattoo