She’s a tattoo artist specializing in Ornamental style at her Brighton studio, Gaia Tattoo — and also a model with the Suicide Girls crew. Hers is the story of a woman determined not to miss the kind of opportunity she might one day regret missing.”
Emily, I know you’re from Brighton, you’re a tattoo artist, you own the ‘Gaia Tattoo’ studio (in Brighton), you’re a member of the Suicide Girls etc. I’m sure you’ve got a lot to say…
Yes, I have been obsessed with tattoos and tattoo culture since my early teens. I had seen a few examples of full cohesive bodysuits on people I admired, and always knew that was a vision I wanted for myself. I also always knew I wanted to be a tattoo artist – I was obsessed with drawing and doodling mendhi patterns on myself at school. Tattooing is the biggest blessing inside me and has been such a turning point in my life.
When did you officially start?
I’ve been tattooing since I was 18 and last year I opened my own studio in Brighton (IG: @_gaiatattoo), as I wanted to create a women-led space which was calm and peaceful to be tattooed in. As I’ve worked on my bodysuit I have also enjoyed modelling as an additional creative outlet. Being part of Suicide Girls was a really cool goal to achieve as a lot of the women I admired were part of them and found beautiful growing up with them.
“The tattoos on your body seem quite consistent and uniform to me. Did they all come from the same artist, or have you used different ones so far?”
It’s been a mix – I always knew I wanted a full bodysuit, and started out by getting a lot of Ornamental & Blackout work done. I moved on to adding colour florals when I fell in love with Kat Abdy’s work a few years ago. Since then she has covered most of the remaining spaces on my body – she is an incredible artist and I feel so, so lucky to have her work on me.
I absolutely love how bold Ornamental lines complement and contrast with the red florals and Blackwork.
Let’s talk about your tattoo style. You seem really good at Ornamental with a very delicate line and with floral subjects very present in your artistic imagination. Do you confirm?
Ornamental tattooing has so much sacred history behind it, which I find fascinating, especially through different cultures, where it’s easy to find inspiration through something as simple as an arched doorway or a patterned tile. The most important element to me in my own work is that the design flows and compliments the body shape, and fits the client beautifully. The design process is very much a collaboration, and nothing brings me more joy than seeing someone’s confidence grow through their own tattoo journey, as it did for me with mine. I am blessed with incredibly trusting & strong clients who give a lot of creative freedom which I am always grateful for.
If you had a time machine, do you think you would use it? Would you travel to other eras or are you happy to live in 2025?
Oh I’d use it, for sure! (laughs) I feel like I missed out on the coolest eras of music and fashion – a pinup in the 50s, a hippie in the 70s, goth movement in the 80s. Although there’s obviously a lot to be said for being alive now, I definitely wouldn’t want to hand-stencil a huge symmetrical design without an iPad..
Do you have a historical figure from the past that you would like to meet?
I’d want to meet two women I was fascinated with and took inspiration from growing up (for different reasons). And their names are Bettie Page and Frida Kahlo.
Can you explain more about your nickname ‘Soot Sprite’? Is it maybe from Studio Ghibli?
To be honest, it was a pretty random choice, and kinda just stuck! But yes, it comes from Studio Ghibli (IG: @ghibliusa), so many of these magical movies hold a special place in my heart. They are probably my favourite thing to have on in the background while working on a design.
Hayao Miyazaki has to be by far one of the greatest artists and storytellers of our time.
And your last famous words are… ?
If you have something you are truly passionate about… pursue it! You never know what opportunities might open up to you and where you may end up.
