In order to introduce you to the incredibly talented tattooists and piercers responsible for the stunning artwork we see coming out of Obsidian Arts, this series of Meet the Artist is to do just that! In our next edition we want to introduce you to one of Obsidian Arts’ incredible tattoo artists; Ollie Gill.
Located on 3 Cross Street Lower, Obsidian Arts is a custom tattoo and body piercing studio and art gallery in Galway city’s artistic Latin Quarter. Co-owned by the creative duo Debbie and Caz, the Obsidian team are all specialists in their art form and can create the perfect piece of body art for you, no matter whether that’s the piercing you’ve always wanted or a tattoo designed specifically for you.
In this edition of our Q+As with Obsidian Arts’ highly skilled resident artists, we got chatting with tattooist Ollie, to learn how he got into tattooing, what his preferred style of tattooing is, and to discover what inspires his art!
To book a tattoo consultation with Ollie head over to his Instagram page @ollie_gill_tattoos to see some of his most recent work and then hit the link here to arrange your appointment.
How long have you been tattooing and when did you set up in Galway?
I have been tattooing for approximately 12 years or so now. I have always been tattooing in Galway since I did my apprenticeship but have worked in a few shops. I am now in Obsidian Arts working with Caz, who I originally did my apprenticeship with.
How did you get into tattooing in the first place?
I used to work as a chef and did not enjoy it at all so decided I would take a chance and try my hand at tattooing as it seemed like something I would like. In school I was decent enough at art so I decided to give it a go and since then I have never looked back. It's something I really love and only wished I had started at an earlier age.
Could you tell us about your preferred style of tattooing?
I really enjoy doing realism colour work but have also gotten into geometric/dotwork style and heavy black tribal work. I also like doing black and grey realism but my preferred style is working with colour. I also enjoy doing walk-in tattoos as well. I'm not too fussy, I'm just happy to be tattooing and doing something I enjoy.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The best part about tattooing is that it is artistic and creative and everyday is different so it keeps things fresh. I can choose my own hours as well so that is nice.
Where is your favourite placement for a tattoo?
Side of the leg or forearm.
I see that you’ve done quite a few horror themed tattoos. Is it a genre that you enjoy tattooing? What is your favourite horror inspired tattoo that a client has asked for?
Yes this would be my favourite subject to tattoo and if I had to pick a favourite it would probably be the tattoo I did of the poster of Jaws (which is also one of my favourite movies).
Who or what influences your work?
The main influences for me would be horror/fantasy movies and anything which features monsters or creatures which make nice designs. Artists whose work I really like would be Julian Siebert, Paul Booth, Ken Kelly, Frank Frazetta.
What is the tattoo that you’ve done that sticks out the most in your mind, or the one that you are most proud of?
I got to do a Robocop portrait which is one of my favourite tattoos I have done. I also have been working on a sleeve based on John Carpenter's The Thing which is in full colour and turning out quite nice!
What was the first tattoo you got?
The first tattoo I got was a symbol on my left shoulder of a band called Paradise Lost. It is still there to this day even though I have covered a lot of my old tattoos with new ones.
Do you remember the first tattoo you ever did?
Yes, the first tattoo I ever did was a small symbol on my ankle. It was quite bad lol.
Photos of Ollie by Ciarán MacChoncarraige. Tattoos by Ollie.
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