Born in 1991 on the outskirts of Rotherham, in the north of England, Cal grew up in a complex family environment, finding in drawing both an escape and a form of self-discipline. From a childhood shaped by medieval imagery, warriors, beasts, and castles, to an adolescence spent between skateboarding and graffiti, his artistic path developed on the margins of traditional routes, following a personal and determined trajectory that led him to build a visual language based on the balance between filled and empty spaces, between black ink and skin.
Today he works in a private studio, maintaining an intimate setting that allows him to move freely around the world in order to continue refining his craft and knowledge. His ornamental style originates from a foundation of bold pattern work and has evolved toward more fluid, narrative compositions, also influenced by Japanese aesthetics and by elements that follow the natural lines of the body.
Hi Cal, welcome on Tattoo Life. Can you tell us about your origins and artistic journey? How did you get into the world of tattooing?
If I were to talk about where my artistic journey began I would have to go back to the beginning. My parents had a turbulent relationship and separated when I was 4, it was a rocky break up — during this time I found escape in drawing. So from a very early age it was pretty creative, drawing was where I could be alone with my thoughts and let my imagination run free. Barbarians, beasts, sci-fi, castles, samurai! I was really into warrior shit from early on. Me and my dad went on to live with my grandmother, then at age 11 my dad moved away to work in a small shipping village in Holland as a carpenter and I followed soon after.
However being unable to keep up with the curriculum, being in a new school in a foreign country — as I couldn’t speak the language — my teachers didn’t know what to do with me other then teach me the language and let me draw in my books. It was also around this time I was getting into skateboarding. Tattoos, skateboarding, graffiti, all these subcultures connect with one another so this was something I was drawn to and so they became my curriculum to study and master. A few years later we moved back to England, school gave up on me now having fallen too behind on everything they were teaching, but it didn’t matter as my course hadn’t changed.
By 16 I was doing anything I could to get my foot in the door of a studio, constantly being knocked back for being underage. Eventually I managed to get a little studio in my hometown – their abilities and knowledge were limited, so as soon as I was able to, I started travelling and working with anyone I thought I could learn from. Here I am now, 35, still doing the same thing, still focused on the same goals, to develop my skills in tattooing.
Where are you from and where is your tattoo shop based?
I’m from a small ex mining town called Rotherham in the north of England. I travel around the world but I’m based at home, with my dog Goose.
Can you tell us more about the shop and its location?
It’s just a private home studio, nothing fancy, a simple place to work with my clients that still allows me to travel frequently. It’s got that homely touch, which I think is appreciated by my clients who prefer a more intimate, less shop-like environment.
Your style is Ornamental, why this choice?
When I first got into tattooing I just wanted to learn the craft, the style came later. I spent a lot of time focused on bold pattern work, almost like a more elegant tribal. Going back to loving warriors and stuff growing up, I really enjoyed creating panels that looked like they could be a decorative armour, I built quite a following from that. But just before Covid I was hacked and lost almost 100k followers, at this time I was also going through a big break up with my daughter’s mom.
So a lot was changing and I had to pick up the pieces and rebuild my life essentially. I wanted everything to feel true to who I am, so I wiped the slate and I started searching for what I really wanted to pursue in tattooing. I always loved Japanese style and tribal, I was ready to move away from blocky pattern work and find more flow, movement, depth. I kept the same strong contrast yet I found a new direction where I had much more opportunity for exploring work that could tell visual stories and follow the contours of bodies.
Creating tattoos that look different from different angles. That’s been my focus for the last 8 years.
What are the subjects you love tattooing the most? Are there recurring elements in your work that you feel particularly connected to?
I really love floral work because there is so much opportunity to create movement and flow, mixed with a strong contrast it really feels like it hits the mark of what I’m trying to create.
How do you find the right harmony between the body and the movements of the lines?
I spent many years focused on the balance of skin and black in my early pattern-based work, so it’s something I have a background in. Non-tattooed areas are of equal importance to tattooed ones, the heavier you take the black the darker and often more edgy the piece looks.
Then lighter pieces for a more elegant direction.
What are the most important aspects to make a tattoo powerful and long-lasting?
Simplicity goes a long way. I’m always thinking ahead, thinking what I want it to look like long term. Tribal is the strongest for longevity no doubt, so I try to create strong bold elements that won’t distort too much with time, and then add all the fancy stuff on top that as it ages will just become the mid layer.
Are you experimenting with new directions in your work?
Always. Right now I’ve been working with my friend Simon, also known as Orientart. He’s been a big influence recently and I can see my style being a little more inspired by his work, — I’ve slowly started adding more textures and increasing the black work. It happens naturally when you’re around other artists, they start subconsciously influencing you. That’s why you should surround yourself with people who crush it.
Do you want to add something to greet our readers?
I think I’ve blabbered on too much already! But just to anyone in tattooing who’s feeling like it’s tough right now with the madness of the world, don’t lose your focus. Keep putting yourself out there and developing your skills. It’s easy to get distracted, but those who stay disciplined will survive through hardship and simply become masters of adaptability.
