27 May “My art isn’t separated from who I am or how I move through the world” interview with Paola Fay

Paola creates dark botanical inspired tattoos at her tattoo studio Sanctuarink in London, UK. This is tattoo artist Paola Fay’s (@paolafaytattoo) story about how her art can be heavy but she wouldn’t change a thing...

How long have you been tattooing?

I originally started tattooing when I was 17 back in Brazil, but I only had a proper apprenticeship in London in 2017. So, I count nine years from then.

What drew you to the tattoo world and how did you get into it?

I remember being eight years old and watching tattoo shows, completely fascinated by tattooed women. I knew I wanted to be like them!

I got my first tattoo at 16, and it was life-changing. I struggled with my mental health and that moment felt like a promise to myself. It’s what led me to tattooing, to creating art, helping others heal and healing myself too.

How does the tattoo scene in Brazil compare to London?

Starting in Brazil as a girl, at the age of 17 was honestly very difficult – there was no opportunity or space for me. I actually started as a piercer, just so I could get in, but still, the industry doors were closed for me (but I don’t take no that easily).

An artist told me once, before I moved to London: “You are a nobody here, who do you think you are to stand a chance in London?”, and I just had to see it for myself and gamble. Moving to London in 2017, and having a proper apprenticeship was genuinely life-changing.

I know the scene is very different in 2026, specially for women. Brazil has some incredible artists in the biggest cities but you still have a nation with very limited views on what art is, different to London.

London not only gave me the space and freedom to experiment, learn, and grow in ways I couldn’t have back home but also gave me the safety and feel of belonging that I never had in my own country.

How has your experience, as a woman, been in the tattoo industry?

No one can say this is a male dominated industry anymore, those days are far gone. I see many women thriving in this industry and we can thankfully provide a much safer space for others now.

When I was younger, I found myself being the only girl in spaces like tattoo studios and that would feel intimidating many times. I have never had bad experiences for being a female tattoo artist in London, however, being an immigrant I can tell you I’ve felt the differences before but here we are, standing and building the future. We all can choose between being a victim or a survivor and carry on the work those before us have been doing.

How would you describe your style and how has it changed over time?

My current style (being the one that represents me the most) is my dark illustrative fantasy style.

Funny enough, I used to do abstract minimalistic and sketch style tattoos back in the day. I believe that as I developed as a person, I’m now able to control my brain and do exactly what I want. I’m finally in a stage where I’m fully connected with my art and what I’m doing.

What do you love to tattoo? What’s on your wishlist?

I love all things magical creatures, fairies and dark botanicals. I love creating them in freehand with my clients. My wishlist would be doing larger concepts where I can expand my creativity and have my clients be my canvases.

Can you tell us about your own tattoos?

I’m a passionate tattoo collector myself and feel extremely honoured to carry so many tattoos from people I really admire. I truly have a tattoo buffet! I have new school, neo traditional, anime and blackwork tattoos. I might stick to darker tattoos from now on, but who knows!

What was your first tattoo and the experience getting it?

My first one was a tree on my wrist, I made the drawing on paper and just handed it to the artist. I wish it had been more special for my first one, since it was more of a transaction than a connection, but I was only 16 and I was in the hands of a not very inspired tattooist who didn’t care at the time!

Do you think tattoos have to have meaning?

Not at all! But meaningful tattoos are always really special too.

What was the first tattoo you did on someone else and how was the experience?

Oh gosh that’s not a cute story at all! Being an underage artist with no opportunities, my first tattoo was really in my bedroom on a friend and I’m not proud of this! That’s all covered up now thank god!

What do you do when you’re not tattooing?

I’m not gonna lie – since opening Sanctuarink I haven’t done much outside work. When my passion is my hobby, my full-time job and my lifestyle, it’s a bit hard to balance but I’m currently working on it. My art isn’t separated from who I am or how I move through the world, so it can be heavy, however, I wouldn’t change a thing.

I have a senior dog whom I try to be as a devoted mum as possible, I love walks in nature, endless music, nurture my family/ friends connections, listen/ reading something on self-development, business, science, psychology/ philosophy and I do love exercising as well.

What’s the next year look like for you?

I feel really blessed to be where I am: at my studio that was opened in 2025. I’m trying to be grounded and work on the present. But not gonna lie, I’d love to be able to have more freedom and time again, for both my personal life and artistically speaking too.

Thank you Paola for chatting to us and being part of Things & Ink! Give Paola a follow on Instagram to see more of her dark tattoos and get booked in.

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