While tattooing with a machine may be the current norm, Gracie-May Saint, a fourth-year communications student at the University of Ottawa, uses a more traditional method — hand-poked tattoos.
Hand-poked tattooing involves making tattoos using a single needle, differing from machine tattooing that use multiple needles at once. Though the hand-poked artform was pushed aside for machine tattoos, the hand-poked method is regaining popularity throughout North America.
Saint runs a hand-poked tattoo business, Pokes4You, out of Kimberly Lopez studio in Ottawa.
The Charlatan sat down with Saint to learn about the artform of hand-poked tattoos and what’s next for Pokes4You.
The Charlatan (TC): How did you first get into tattooing?
Gracie-May Saint (GS): Growing up, I’d always been interested in art, but when I was younger, it didn’t really stick with me. I really got into tattoos during my first year of university. When I turned 18, I got my first tattoo. But tattoos are expensive and I thought, “Why not just try it out myself?” I went to get everything I needed, and I always liked stick-and-poke tattoos, so I got started, then tattooed myself.
TC: What was it like getting your first tattoo?
GS: It was a stick-and-poke tattoo. I’ve always been interested in that style as it’s organic, and I feel like it’s more special. I did my research, tried to find a hand-poked artist and I did, which was really nice. It wasn’t really what I expected pain-wise, but it was a good experience overall.
TC: Why did you go into hand-poked tattooing instead of machine tattooing?
GS: I felt like picking up a tattoo gun is very intimidating, especially if you’re going into it just for fun. I feel like hand-poke tattooing is a lot more controlled. Since I had gotten two hand-poke tattoos myself, I talked to one of the artists about it. She said it’s pretty easy to start out, so I felt more comfortable. Basically, I got into hand-poke tattooing because it was easier and I ended up being good at it.
TC: What makes hand poked tattoos so unique?
GS: I feel like it’s the method. In the Philippines, they do the tattooing with a wooden stick, and you kind of bang the stick. I don’t think I could ever do that or get one done, but that’s how it started. It doesn’t consist of an electric machine so it’s more personable and less intimidating. I feel like machine tattoos can be more intense just because of the vibration of the machine. I think everyone who I’ve talked to and who I’ve given a hand-poke tattoo to really liked it. Some say it’s therapeutic or relaxing. But I think they’re really unique too, because it’s not really what people see anymore.
GS: A misconception is that it’s not as sanitary. Yes, that’s the case if you’re getting it done in your basement by some random person, but it’s the same procedure as a machine tattoo, just gentler. I’ve heard a lot of people say they’re scared of a hand-poke tattoo hurting more than a machine tattoo, and I think that is wrong.
I would also say be open-minded. Tattoos used to be seen as something that was associated with gangs and criminals, which clearly isn’t the case anymore. A lot of people are getting them because it is a form of art on your body, which is a beautiful thing. Stay open-minded and appreciate all the stuff that goes into it.
TC: How would you describe your tattooing style?
GS: When I first started out, I was doing small line-work designs. But now that I’ve gotten more experience, I really like pointillism. I feel like it gives the designs a really unique look full of dimension. That’s definitely the direction I want to go in and continue doing pieces like that.
TC: Is tattooing more of an art form or a profession to you?
GS: It’s an art form because I’m in university and want to do something related to my degree. But also, I love tattooing. I like it when I come into work because the environment isn’t strict. My boss, who owns the studio, is the best. We’re all friends at the studio. Spending time with people, getting to know people, while also putting a piece of art on their body adds to the artistic element.
TC: What is next for Pokes4You?
GS: I’m in my last year of university, so there is a lot of unknown. I still want to tattoo post-university, but I’m also open to the idea of starting to use a machine. I’ve seen a lot of artists mix the two together, both hand-poke and machine tattooing, which I think would be really interesting. The machine is intimidating, but, fingers crossed I’ll be OK at it.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Featured image provided by Gracie-May Saint.
