By Shelby Gurney
From children’s cartoon character Bluey to Scream’s Ghostface, the types of tattoos that artist Emma Marentes has etched on people are many and varied.
Every appendage of the owner of tattoo studio Hello Stranger is adorned with ink she has gathered on her body art journey, which saw her attend the Australian Tattoo Show in Brisbane
this past weekend.
Emma and the other artists were at the Australian Tattoo Expo in Brisbane, tattooing people, selling their art and networking with other artists from studios around Queensland.
“It’s always exciting to go to these events and get involved with other artists,” Emma said.
Hello Stranger has also been involved with events around the Rockhampton region.
This year they attended Rockynats, where they hosted a tattoo competition for the first time, and judged the tattoos of the attendees.
Emma said that it is a dream come true getting to make a living from creating art and tattooing.
The types of clients Emma caters for is one factor that sets her apart from other studios.
A large base of clients who are neurodivergent visit the studio, with Emma herself being neurodivergent.
She said the artists want everyone to feel comfortable and welcomed in the studio and are accepting of all kinds of clients.
“It was important for me to create an environment that’s not like any of the other shops in Rockhampton,” Emma said.
Emma said the day-to-day running of the studio is extremely stressful, emotionally draining and throws new challenges at the artists everyday.
Although tattooing can be taxing, she says for people considering a tattoo apprenticeship the best thing to do is make art their daily practice.
Everyday create a drawing or painting in traditional media to help develop the necessary skill set needed for an apprenticeship.
Emma said people need to be both committed to becoming a tattoo artist and committed to the lifestyle that goes along with it.
Despite the challenges she faces, Emma says she can’t imagine her life without art and the business she has built.