Constantly on the road with her husband Chris (you can sometimes find them in Melbourne at ‘The Black Mark’ tattoo studio), Anna continues her journey into Horror Realism style by paying tribute, among others, to the new icon Art The Clown, the super villain of the ‘Terrifier’ franchise.
Anna, tell me the truth: when you were a teenager, which came first – your passion for tattoo art or horror movies?
In all honesty, it was my passion for tattoos that came first. I’ve always loved to draw – on paper, on myself and my friends, even in places that I shouldn’t have (like walls and floors).
My love of horror movies didn’t come until significantly later. In fact, as a kid, growing up, I wasn’t even allowed to watch horror movies. I had always had a super overactive imagination, and I’m sure my parents didn’t want to allow me access to more nightmare fuel. I have, however, always been naturally drawn to a dark aesthetic, the creepy and the weird, and I feel that horror movies are an extension of that.
When did you discover that you had the right hand and eye to excel in tattoo art?
I think my artistic abilities have always been a labour of love. For as long as I can remember, my art was always very personal and often private – a way to express myself, to work through things – a diary or sorts. I have never trained professionally and I still feel that I am learning so much on a daily basis, absorbing as much information from as many different sources as possible.
My growth and accomplishment are absolutely the result of hard work and dedication, rather than talent.
You’ve always described yourself as a Realistic tattoo artist. So this might imply that you can tattoo different subjects, not just dark and scary subjects, right?
I absolutely did not start out as a Realism artist. For many years I worked in a street shop, where the expectation was that I could, and would, tattoo any style that walked through the door. I have always loved drawing and tattooing faces – whether that be a beautiful woman, a famous musician or someone’s beloved fur-baby – it doesn’t always have to be the dark and macabre. It’s just that I have just found enjoyment with the added element of horror – it gives me more freedom in the way these faces can be depicted.
Do you think a character like Art The Clown (from the ‘Terrifier’ trilogy) could become a new classic in the future among horror subjects that the public will want to get tattooed? By the way, you have already tattooed him in various works…
I definitely feel that Art the Clown and the ‘Terrifier’ series (IG:@officialterrifier3) have the staying power to be classed among the other big horror classics. It has had a huge impact on the genre that hasn’t been seen since Ghostface and the Scream franchise.
Art The Clown is this generation’s slasher icon!
If you had a time machine, do you think you would use it? Do you have a historical figure from the past that you would like to meet?
I don’t know if there would be any historical figure that I would want to travel back in time to meet. I do, however, like the idea of travelling back to experience the defining eras of heavy metal music – the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s. The artists, the festivals, the sounds – it seems like such a wildly exciting time to be a part of.
Do you have your own tattoo studio in Australia, or do you prefer to move between guest spots and tattoo conventions?
For approximately 12 years, my husband, Chris, and I owned a studio in Australia. Unfortunately, when we started travelling regularly and for long periods of time, we found it difficult to continue managing the studio from abroad, so we made the difficult decision to sell it. These days, Chris and I are working on the road, bouncing around conventions and guest spots across the USA.
Where can we usually find you at work?
Occasionally we head back home to visit family and friends, and catch up on Australian clients. At some point, when our nomadic lifestyle inevitably loses its appeal, we plan to settle back in Australia, at Melbourne’s prestigious tattoo studio, ‘The Black Mark’ (IG: @theblackmarktattoo).
I saw that on your Instagram account you signed yourself as ‘Anna Belle’: were you referring to the Annabelle doll? Was there a little movie reference?
I hate to disappoint you, but Anna Belle (IG: @anna_belle_tattoo) was a pet name that a family friend called me when I was a child. Honestly, if I was going to choose a horror movie character as my namesake, it would have to be Tiffany Valentine, the Bride of Chucky. She’s such a babe!
And your last famous words are… ?
Be unapologetically too much. Be kind. Be brave. Stay weird.
