Tattoo artist Kathryn Green shares her artistic journey at her former workplace, Ottawa Ink. Image credit: Laiyiady Lam
As one of Ottawa’s popular junior tattoo artists, tattooing isn’t just about being “cool” or “fashionable.” It’s a way that has helped her grow and confront challenges.
The morning sun filters into Kathryn Green’s room, illuminating stacks of manuscripts and colouring books. Unlike others, her day starts with art.
Green walks into a local tattoo studio with the sketches she prepared the night before. In a space decorated with plants and bold typographic artwork, her “breakfast” was placed on a light wooden table: an array of needles, black gloves, paper towels, and inks with a variety of colours.
A memorable beginning
Green’s interest in tattoo art took root in high school, her family was open-minded and supportive. But as many people experience: all beginnings are difficult.
Her first tattoo experience was a steep learning curve. A client had requested a black lining and red fill graffiti-style lettering, to commemorate their brother. After a few days, the client called back, requesting a touch-up.
“It scared the crap out of me, ” Green recalled. ” I spent the whole time worried that the whole tattoo was gone.”
Despite the rough start, Green’s skills and confidence grew with each tattoo was done. She still keeps the image of that first tattoo on her phone as a reminder of how far she has come.
Impacting lives, one tattoo at a time
Green’s journey has touched not just her life but also surrounding people.
Finley Pomfret, a Level 4 electrical engineering student at Algonquin College, was the first of her friends to get tattooed by her. He said Green gave him more than just a design.
Pomfret chose a design that symbolized personal growth and a fresh start in life.
Photo captions: The lotus flower tattoo is designed with planets, the moon, and the sun. Pomfret said it was inspired by the lotus grows from the mud, representing overcoming difficult times and starting fresh. Image credit: Finley Pomfret
“It was out of my comfort zone, but in a good way,” he said.
Green said her perspective on tattoos has shifted over time by seeing people’s reactions to the tattoos completed or covered.
Some clines were overcome with joy, while others broke down in tears after facing painful memories, such as seeing an ex-partner’s name covered.
“It wasn’t something that I viewed as a thing when I was younger, like an art to put whatever you want,” she said. “It has a crazy impact on people.”
Future and further
Green’s artistic style has matured over the years. From fine linework to bold blackwork and cyber sigil designs. Now, she has just completed a new experimental tattoo style – a fever dream style.
“Wacky and weird,” she laughs when describing her favourite theme. “Honestly, I like weird projects.”
Looking ahead, Green’s future includes family and career.
“It’s going to be a struggle managing a new baby and working, but the ideal goal is to have an actual home studio,” she said.
Perhaps one day, you’ll step into Green’s home studio. With the TLC show playing in the background, you’ll not only find tattoo tools on the workbench next to a comfort tattoo chair, but also with her favourite snacks—Red Bull and potato chips.
If you notice that she does not eat anything while working for you, don’t worry—She is carefully inks your story into her art with every stroke of her needle.
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