Sponsored Artist of the Month – Joanne Baker

British tattoo artist Joanne Baker works out of Semper Tattoo in Edinburgh, creating colourful, watercolour-inspired pieces.

Joanne’s work is vibrant and beautiful, frequently depicting animals, insects, and natural scenes with an abstract twist.

We talked to Joanne about her journey into the world of tattooing, where she finds inspiration, and what advice she’d give to up-and-coming artists!

How did you get started in the tattoo industry?

I got started in the tattoo industry after doing a Fine Art degree. A good friend of mine (and talented tattoo artist) Steph Hesketh let me tag along with her whilst she was getting a tattoo by Matt Barratt-Jones aka Oddboy. I hadn’t considered tattooing as a career until I saw how passionately both Steph and Matt spoke about tattoo art, and how much of a creative environment the tattoo studio could be.

I then applied for an apprenticeship at a studio in Coventry - Grizzly Art T attoos. It was a case of being in the right place at the right time. I was fortunate to be taken on as an apprentice by Steven Timms (Grizzly) and Dan Dygas. It was a pretty traditional apprenticeship, and they are great mentors. I can almost certainly say I wouldn’t be in this career if it wasn’t for the artists I have mentioned.

How would you describe your tattoo art style?

I would describe it as illustrative watercolour. I love tattooing things that feel sketched and drawn on.

Where does the name Milky Tattoodles come from?

The Instagram name is quite a silly story and not as interesting as it might sound!

Early on in my apprenticeship I dropped a huge carton of milk on the floor while everyone was tattooing; it was a mess! Grizzly called me ‘Milky’ from then on. The ‘tattoodles’ was simply because I was drawing more than tattooing in the early days and I wanted to showcase the designs I wanted to tattoo…my ‘tattoodles’. At the time I had no idea how much Insta names can stick!

How long have you been working at Semper Tattoo, and who’s there with you?

I have been at Semper for five and a half years. At the studio we have Semper owner and realism wizard David Corden, as well as Keira Rose, Poppy Luna, Dana Patterson, Calum Cochrane, Alex Brown and our receptionist (and budding apprentice) Erica.

What’s your favourite thing about Edinburgh?

Where to start?! The city is beautiful, steeped in history and you are never too far from the beach!

Who was the biggest help or inspiration when you started your tattoo career?

Dan Dygas, who has taught me so much in tattooing, and Grizzly for giving me the opportunity to join his studio.

My early inspiration came from tattoo magazines – before Insta and other social media platforms it was where I discovered new artists and art styles. It is even where I first saw David Corden’s tattoos!

Which tattoo artists working today do you most admire?

This is such a tough question – there are far too many. To name a few: Hannah Flowers, Sam Ford, Lianne Moule, Clare Goldilox, Michelle Maddison, Tom Strom, Jules Boho, Julia Rehme, Filouino, Claire Hamill. I know there are tons more who deserve a mention, and the list is growing ever-longer. I really admire artists who create artwork as well as tattooing, and seeing how both their art practice and their tattooing influence one another.

Which non-tattoo artists inspire you most?

I don’t even know where to start with this – I could talk forever about artists I find inspiring!

I love Ralph Steadman’s illustrations. Many of the artists I am inspired by don’t always relate to watercolour work – for example Berlinde De Bruyckere, Frida Kahlo, Jenny Saville, Kiki Smith, Louise Bourgeois, Mark Ryden, Marco Mazzoni and so on.

What is your favourite theme to tattoo?

I love tattooing anything involving animals, particularly birds and sea creatures, or anything derived from folklore or mythology. The weird and wonderful!

What’s the strangest tattoo you’ve ever done?

Probably a raccoon in a snorkel – or the rum ham from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Do all your tattoos start as watercolours?

I would say 99% start that way. I tend to paint the design before the tattoo. Other times I paint the watercolour marks directly onto the clients’ skin with liquid carbon, or add watercolour to existing tattoos.

What do you do with the watercolours once the tattoo has been finished?

I give the original watercolours to the client to keep – the only exception is if it’s a flash piece or from my sketchbook.

Which are your favourite colours to work into a tattoo?

I love to work with purples and teals. I also like to pair magenta with orange.

What's the largest tattoo you've ever done?

Probably a sleeve or backpiece.

Can you talk us through your workstation?

The machine I use is the FK Irons Flux. I get most of my supplies from Killer Ink. For needles I use a combination of Cheyenne and Black Claw cartridges. My favourite ink is Fusion. Other workstation supplies I also use are Hive ink caps, Hustle Butter Deluxe and Hustle Bubbles foam wash, Stencil Forte stencil glue and Dermalize protective film.

Are there any styles of tattooing you’d like to try out more?

I would love to do more abstract style work, focusing on expressive mark making and textures.

What do you like to listen to while you work?

It changes with my mood – I have a playlist I made for painting and tattooing called “Chill & Draw” which is mostly lo-fi, chilled hip hop, reggae, and singer-songwriter stuff. Or I’m happy working with some 90s rock/grunge in the background. I’m musically confused and enjoy variety whilst I’m working!

What’s the best advice that you can pass on to aspiring tattoo artists?

Always Be Drawing! Keep learning, trying new things, creating and be persistent. Be patient with yourself, sometimes it will feel like progress is slow. Try not to compare yourself or your progress to others, everybody’s path is different. Surround yourself with people who make you feel inspired and motivated.

Take rest when you need to – tattooing can be full on and can feel all-consuming, so setting healthy boundaries will protect you from burnout. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.

Will you be visiting any conventions or guest spots in 2023?

I will be guesting at Cult Coffee & Tattoos with Sam Ford in early March, the UKTTA convention in Birminghamand the Big North Tattoo Show in Newcastle in April. I hope to work the Big London Tattoo Show in August.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to paint in my free time and hang out in my pyjamas with my cats. Rock’n’roll!

What does the future hold for Joanne Baker?

I’m not sure to be honest – but I am hoping the future will be full of meeting more amazing clients with great stories and wonderful ideas! I hope to learn more, and to develop my tattooing and artwork (every day is a school day!) Quite humble future goals.