20/08/2026
Baptism of Fire - Chapter 2: The First Tattoo
Okay, now we get onto the tattoos part! This was the moment I realised what I wanted to do with my art. I always knew I wanted to use my art for something in my future, I thought I had figured it out with comics. I had no idea this would be my direction when I first moved to Middlesbough but I’m sure glad it worked out that way! And I can bring the comics with me. Tattooing has been a source of a lot of joy in my life, even if there have been some tough moments, I wouldn’t still be here if I didn’t love what I do. You’ll see what that means soon enough, follow to stay tuned for the next chapter!
Last Time:
Narration: By the time a year had passed since losing Charlie, I was living in Middlesbrough for uni. // And so, my mum and I decided to get a tattoo.
Nicole: I knew very little about tattooing at the time, I just picked a studio that seemed successful and clean. Ink Master was about the extent of my research.
Narration: I didn’t hunt for a style or artist, it was the DATE that mattered to me, the one year anniversary. I booked well over a month in advance to secure it.
Narration: It was important to me that the artist knew our story, so once I was booked in, I told the artist and poured my heart out.
Nicole: Four days before the appointment, I asked if they’d started the design and if I could see it. // I know now that’s not the norm, but they said they’d send it to me the next day. // I was so, so excited.
Narration: I heard nothing until the day before the appointment
Phone: Your artist has CANCELLED your session.
Narration: I went over in a panic, my mum was already making the 5 hour drive from my hometown.
Nicole: Is anyone else available?
Narration: The next day we went into the studio. He used the sketch of some silhouettes I had drawn as reference, and so I spent the session explaining all the little details that made them unique.// I saw the original artist in that day tattooing someone else, I still have no idea why they cancelled the appointment.
Narration: Looking in the mirror, I got very emotional. Charlie and Mingau would be with me always. // That’s when I knew; I want to gi
