Hove-based artist Veda Ink creates unique bright and bold pieces from her home at Unit Two, and at conventions and studios across the UK.

Creating an incredible blend of the natural world with unreal, trippy elements, her work is unmistakable, with inspiration from a wide range of sources.

We spoke to Veda about how she defines her art style, her favourite colour palette and techniques to work with, as well as her plans for 2024 and beyond!

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be an interior designer.

Who helped you or inspired you the most at the beginning of your career?

I was really inspired by the bio-organic style from Guy Aitchison in my first few years of tattooing. It looks so unusual and sort of magical to me. Perhaps that's why, 6-7 years later, I decided to get a sleeve in bio-organic style.

How do you describe your tattoo art style?

Oh, that's a hard one! I have been trying to find an answer to this question for the last few years. I will describe it as colour illustrative, with a mix of a new school vibe and neo-traditional style, featuring neon pink and purple colours.

Additionally, I like to incorporate whip shading with one bright colour into my tattoos.

How long have you worked at Unit Two, and who else is there with you?

I've been at Unit Two for about 1.5 years now. It's a large studio with around 15 tattooists, like John Craig (The Fake Tattooist), Laura Gascoyne, and  others.

Which are your favourite elements to work into your tattoos?

Anything pink!

Do you ever work on collaboration pieces? And is there anyone you would like to collaborate with?

I haven't yet, but I have a few colleagues who offered me that opportunity last year. I just need to find the time and make it happen.

How do you find inspiration for your designs?

I like to combine simple objects with interesting elements or unusual colour palettes, such as a pink tiger or a purple octopus. Additionally, you can often see the third eye theme in many of my tattoos. Nature and animals serve as my primary inspiration, but I strive to portray them in a slightly trippy manner. However, my favourite subject by far is women's faces.

How do you select your colour inks?

I am trying to pick my palette based on the colour wheel. Complementary colours work very well in tattoos because of the contrast, but I prefer to choose two main colours, like pink and purple, and then add one more to balance them. Currently, I am experimenting with my palette, looking for new combinations because I think one day I will get bored of pink and purple.

Have you moved away from creating black and grey work?

I can do black and grey, but I prefer colours, because technically it's more challenging, but interesting. If I do black and grey, I still use 1-2 colours for contrast.

What advice do you give to your clients about healing?

Depending on the size of the tattoo and its placement, aftercare varies. Second skin for medium tattoos is amazing! For larger tattoos, especially those on lower parts of the body, I recommend using pads.

Do you have any words of wisdom for the apprentice tattoo artists out there?

  1. Draw everyday
  2. Learn about the medical aspects of tattooing like skin types, cross-contamination and hygiene.

 What is your favourite tattoo that you’ve done in the last year?

Tiger. Of course, it's pink.

What would your ideal tattoo session be like?

To work on a client with perfect skin, who is able to sit like a rock for 7 hours without asking for a break!

Which tattoo artists are doing amazing work right now?

There are so many of them! I admire Rich Harris for his hard work and perfectionism; Volkan for his huge knowledge of colour theory; Sam Barber for her beautiful detailed portraits; Leonardo Castañeda for his crazy trippy designs;  Daria Pirojenko for her unique colourful style; Steve Moore for his amazing fantasy projects; Gromov for dark tattoos that perfectly work with the flow of a body; Gully for experiments with lettering; Igor Mitrenga for bright graffiti theme; Covallero, Kasas Ink, Gorsky, Chris Green, Tom Farrow and many others.

Can you talk us through your workstation please?

I use the FK Irons Flux Max, and for inks it’s mostly World Famous, but some from Kuro Sumi, Eternal and Allegory. For cartridges, KWADRON has the best liners and magnums for me, and Cheyenne for Magnums.

Do you have any conventions or guest spots lined up for 2024?

Not many at the moment, but I’ll definitely be at The Docks in Liverpool, Brussels, and The Ink Factory.  Also planning to visit Gods of Ink, because the level of artists there is insane! 

What do you enjoy doing outside of tattooing?

Going to the gym really helps me to clear my mind so I can deal with stress better.

What does the future hold for Veda Ink?

More experiments with styles and themes!

We hope you’ve enjoyed our catch-up with Veda Ink - make sure to follow her work on Instagram and Facebook, visit Unit Two tattoo studio, and tell her you love her work at a convention!