Born 20 may '71 to arty parents. -
My Grandmother, Joan Bennett nee Wenyon, was a very talented illustrator who went to driving an ambulance and carting American generals around in Buicks in WWII. As a mother of four, Granny encouraged creativity in the kids and as my mother excelled in art she was urged to attend Derby art school where she met my Dad who was waiting for her on the steps on her first day. Mum went on to teach art at secondary level and then put her knowledge of symbolism and analysis to use as a psychoanalytical counsellor.
My Father, Roger Spencer, was a Graphic designer for Sunday Times magazine and Readers Digest, (yes, he did the prize draw envelope! Someone in your area is a winner!) Worked on many record covers and box sets. He has since taught Graphics and Adobe photoshop.
My brother designed this website and works as a senior designer at Identity design in london. After school we would always hang out at mums art club and at home, drawing, painting and making stuff was always encouraged. Dad had a studio at home in the 80's and under supervision, (and sometimes not) stinky magic markers and airbrushes became the playthings of wide eyed kids.
Some of Dads resource material was of early tattooing. I instantly gravitated towards art on the body. I tried out all those magic markers and Rapidographs to see which made the best fake tattoo. I also trawled through the cover art of my parents massive collection of 60's and 70's Sci-fi novels, art books and records looking for Tattooable imagery.
This led to an admiration of Rick Griffin www.myraltis.co.uk/rickgriffin and Robert Crumb www.crumbproducts.com and to my first tattoo from Bugs in Camden. As far as I knew, at the time he was one of the few artists around who would take on work that wasn't just off the wall. Inking my 70's low brow style egyptian eye, (I know, not the first) but hooked, I asked the wannabe questions I hear every week. Bugs was very curt but encouraging. "Go and draw." he said.
I remember a school careers advice interview being met with a pen down, arms folded tirade of, "this is a serious matter," and "a waste of time," at my interest in the dermagraphic arts so encouragement from anywhere was well received.
My brother and I went to study Art and design at BTEC level in St Albans. Surface pattern Design seemed to best satisfy my desire to draw what I wanted, so oriental imagery, aztec, celtic, psychedelic and Rock portraiture were on the menu. From here I went to the University of East London to do a modular degree. Specialising in Visual communication, Art in psychoanalysis and Illustration I was able to explore and develop my own style of drawing. My brother went on to do graphics at Chelsea.
On Leaving uni with a 2:1 Hons degree I could see that, through Don Ed Hardy's Periodical Tattootime, tattooing was moving in a similar direction to my own process. A few attempts at some home made tattoos and a collection of drawings to back it up soon created a client base who wanted tattoos that required much more technical knowledge than I had. I approached Jim McAirt at Good Karma Eastbourne for an apprenticeship.
I did all those apprentice jobs and when I had time I stood behind Jim and watched and learnt. The new skills I developed gave me more confidence in the medium and eventually Jim let me do some tattoos at the shop. He then sent me to do a summer season where he first started out in tattooing, at The Emporium in Hastings. This is a proper seaside studio and I had the opportunity to re-work and tattoo many traditional designs.
From here I went to work at Sacred Art in Stoke Newington, North London. www.sacredarttattoos.co.uk This was, and still is, a very productive studio. With no tattooist as owner the "choice work" was shared out between the many artists who drifted through, exchanging tips, idea and trade secrets. I spent 5 happy years at Sacred Art but needed a change of scenery.
I asked Jim to let me know if anything came up as I had always liked Good Karma and Eastbourne. As luck would have it, not two weeks later Rebecca left to open Madam Butterfly in Hastings. I came down to work full time as a trial but was soon hooked. The natural light in the shop is superb and the relaxing atmosphere is perfect for artist and client. Working with Jim for four years has been an immense privilege. We've had our ups and downs but we're great friends. Jims tattooing style is, in my opinion flawless, technically excellent and innovative.
Jim said that now I can tattoo like I draw there's nothing more he can show me. I take that as the ultimate compliment. Needless to say it was a huge surprise to receive an email from Jim ji saying he was selling the shop and that I had first refusal. Honoured, I accepted. Jim now works at Into you.
After a brief sabbatical in India I was ready to take the reigns. Maybe you'll come and see for yourself!