Apprentice love: Alice
We’ve loved Alice’s artwork for a long time – we first spoke to the artist in 2020 ([read our interview with Alice here](https://www.th-ink.co.uk/2020/10/25/alice-needham-illustration/)). So when we saw she’d started tattooing we knew we had to chat to Alice ([@aliceneedstattoos](https://www.instagram.com/aliceneedstattoos/)) to find out all about her tattoo apprenticeship…
## Where are you apprenticing? When did it start and how did you get it?
I’m finishing my apprenticeship at Girls Girls Girls Tattoo Club in Wakefield, UK. I had originally started an apprenticeship at a studio elsewhere which ended up with me leaving to protect my mental health – I was on the verge of a breakdown from the way I was being treated.
I was lucky enough that Beth from Girls wanted to take me under her wing and give me a safe and inclusive studio to learn and work in!
## What drew you to the tattoo world?
I’ve always been interested in tattoos, I was fascinated by them as a young teenager and like the idea of people having art on their body.
## Did you want tattoos as a child?
Yes, I don’t really remember when it started but I always wanted them even though no one else in my family was tattooed! I booked my first tattoo for my eighteenth birthday a year in advance because I was so excited.
## Can you tell us about your own tattoo collection
I started getting tattooed when I was 18, I’ve grown my collection pretty rapidly but I’m very lucky to have been tattooed by a bunch of amazing artists. I think that’s the perk of living in Leeds!
The majority of my collection is by Lucy O’Connell (@lucylucyhorsehead), we are working on full back leg pieces of badass Greek mythological women at the minute.
## You’re a freelance illustrator as well, can you tell us about this?
Yes! I’ve been a freelance illustrator for around 5 years now, I started it when I finished uni because I wanted to make work I enjoyed after doing a fine art degree.
I was lucky enough to get some exciting jobs early on which kickstarted my career, it’s ended up tying really nicely into my tattooing.
## What do you love about your apprenticeship? Have there been any challenges?
I love the studio I’m at now, the babes that I work with have made me feel welcome straight away and it’s always good fun. Beth is a great mentor!
I’ve always been wanted to get into tattooing and it took me a long time to get my foot in the door. Being able to do it now is genuinely such an amazing feeling, I will always be grateful.
As I mentioned I had a bad experience with the first studio I started at, unfortunately tattooing still has a real problem with men having power trips and I wouldn’t allow myself to be intimidated.
## Have you got an emerging style?
At the minute it is neotrad, lots of bold colour which takes inspiration from my illustrative work. I love Japanese though and would like to develop this.
## What do you like to tattoo and draw?
Anything colourful and bold! I love a bit of kitsch but on the other hand I love anything inspired by classical fine art, so it’s a real mix.
## What does the future look like for you?
Hopefully just developing my style. I want to work as hard as possible to be the best I can be and keep developing myself. Who knows where I will end up!
Make sure to follow Alice ([@aliceneedstattoos](https://www.instagram.com/aliceneedstattoos/)) on her tattoo journey and get booked in.
_We’re always sharing our favourite tattoo apprentices in our Apprentice love series, [read more interviews here](https://www.th-ink.co.uk/category/apprentice-love/)._
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