THE STUDIO
EXPERIENCE THE TRUE ART OF BESPOKE TATTOOING
Ink Driver Tattoo is a premier private tattoo studio in the Northeast of England, where passion meets precision. Here at Ink Driver, I don't just ink skin; I celebrate the individuality of tattoos and showcase high level skills through every tattoo.
My genuine love for tattooing drives everything I do here. Each design I craft is completely bespoke, meticulously designed to flow seamlessly with the natural lines of the body. This means that no two tattoos are ever the same, because no two clients will ever be the same.
At Ink Driver Tattoo, I believe in more than just exceptional artistry. I am dedicated to providing an experience that is as comfortable and inspiring as the tattoos I create. From your initial consultation to the final flourish of ink, I invest time, care, and attention to ensure you feel at ease, confident and excited about your new tattoo.
Discover the difference of a tattoo studio that truly cares.
MEET THE ARTIST - SIMON WILSON
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
School was never really the place for me, I never really fit in behind a desk studying English and maths. But I could draw. And I loved it. From the moment I learned how to pick up a pencil, something just clicked within me, and I was hooked. I remember the day I realised I could draw with precision, I’m sure I’ve still got that first drawing of Bart Simpson somewhere!
After school I went on to study Fine Art at college and then on to university. Being a Teessider through and through, the only place for me was Teesside University where I received a First Class Honours in Fine Art and won the Best All Round Performance in a Fine Art programme award. I was featured in the newspaper and was excited about going out into the world with my degree under my belt.
However, in reality I waded out into the over-saturated world of artists with degrees with no opportunities to use it for. I wanted to tattoo. I wanted to turn my passion for art into something long lasting on the skin. And so, I did what many tattoo artists do at the start of their journey, I built a portfolio, and I knocked on doors.
Then I knocked on more doors. Throughout that time, I had doors closed on me and doors slammed shut on me. I was told to come back later, I was shouted at, ignored and made to feel small. But I never stopped building my portfolio and I never stopped knocking on those doors. I was taken on as an apprentice a few times but so many of the “secrets” of tattooing were never passed on. I made tea and I swept floors. I watched, I listened, I waited, I drew.
I knew I wasn’t getting what I needed. Too many guarded techniques and too much gatekeeping. At this point I knew that if I wanted to make it as the best, I needed to open my own doors and take this journey on myself.
I left for Thailand to learn from some of the best I could find. I was hungry for the knowledge and to grow. For two solid years, I trained with some of the best industry experts in Thailand such as @yutt_tattoo_studio, @jikky_king and @chaiketsiam. To this day, they continue to be my teachers and support me to perfect my craft. This unswerving desire to succeed and immovable resilience has pushed me to be the best I can possibly be.
Now, I am back in Teesside with my own studio and the grit and determination needed to be the best. My aim is to keep growing, keep tattooing and to take on my own apprentices to share my knowledge, pass it on to the next generation of tattoo artists. I know how hard it can be to be trusted and accepted into this industry and I want to be a tattooist with a difference.
My tattoo realism speaks for itself, my hard work has paid off and I adore getting up to go to work every day. Not many people can say that.
SPONSORSHIPS
WOS Tattoo Equipment
I am proud to be sponsored by @wos_tattoo_official as part of their worldwide pro-team of artists. They provide top of the range tattoo machines across the globe meaning that when you come to Ink Driver you know you're getting an excellent quality tattoo from the machine right through to the artist.
At Ink Driver Tattoo, I use a professional tattoo machine provided by WOS Tattoo Equipment, a brand synonymous with precision and excellence. This partnership allows me to create true masterpieces, using tools trusted by top professionals in the industry. When you choose Ink Driver Tattoo, you're choosing a superior tattooing experience powered by WOS Tattoo Equipment.
