An Interview with Terence Tait

Shop Name: Ink . Ur . Bod Location: Cairns , Queensland Instagram: @Terence_Tait / @cairnsinkurbod01 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terencetaitart Website: www.terencetaittattoos.com Email: inkurbod@hotmail.com

Tell us about the style of your work

Universal style, I guess. I enjoy tattooing all different styles, but it's more about connecting with the customer and letting them tell their story. It's about joking around and having fun!

What conventions have you done recently or are planning to do this year?

This past March I started off with Motor City Tattoo Expo in Detroit. It is hosted by Eternal ink, one of my sponsors, as an invite only Convention. I attend it every year and is always a great time catching up with everyone. Additionally, I got to do a super cool interview with Todd from the Diffuse Radio Network / Tattoo Lounge , Guest spot at Eternal Tattoos in Clawson, as well as tattooing a True Tube on Todd which is one of his Radio sponsors!

In April I attended Rites of Passage Melbourne. In Rites of Passage, I got to participate in the tattoo off for Traditional. It was super fun because I enjoy doing different things. I also got to do some rad tattoos! These included a creature from the Black Lagoon and a fun walk up Pirate.

In October I will heading back to Canada for the first time in 7 years.

Additionally, I will be tattooing at the Calgary Tattoo Convention, which is an invitation only convention. I am super excited to get back into the Canadian Tattoo scene to see what is happening, what's trending, and catch up with tattoo artists I know. I am definitely looking forward to it.

What other mediums do you work in?

I like doing water colour paintings and Copic markers at the moment. I'm always wanting to dabble in new mediums and try new and different things .

What was one of the strangest pieces you’ve ever tattooed on someone?

I would say the coolest and strangest piece I've done this year, would be the creature from the Black Lagoon. The client was really into art and horror. It was a really fun colour piece to do.

If you could tattoo anyone, who would it be and why?

It would be my dad, who is no longer with us. I think it would be awesome to tattoo him because he always believed in me to be an artist and tattoo artist. Since I have been able to achieve this goal, I think he would be happy for me to tattoo him.

Before someone gets a tattoo what advice do you give them?

Before someone gets a tattoo my advice is use common sense, eat a meal, make sure you are hydrated, make sure you are 100% HAPPY with your design that you are getting tattooed on your body forever, make sure you are happy with the artist you have selected, and do your research on the artist. If you aren't sure about your decision, then don't get tattooed. Always think about it before you do it!

What inspires you to be an artist?

Life inspires art.

I find that in every situation in life, everyone has: different reasons for getting tattooed, different stories that relate to why, different ways they got tattooed, and different artists. To be an artist, it is a struggle mentally because you want to be the best you can be at everything. It involves constant questioning of your style and your art medium. It also involves asking yourself how you can grow as an artist, person, and how you can contribute to this industry. I am constantly thinking about that and trying to be a good role model to upcoming artists, apprentices, and tattoo artists.

How long have you been in the industry for, and what have been the highlights of your career and why?

I have been in the tattoo industry for 11 years. There are so many highlights sometimes, I need to take a moment to remind myself that this is real and this is happening. I feel so blessed to have come from nothing--to where I am now and where I am going.

The major highlights for me would be:

I am very grateful to be sponsored by amazing companies in the tattoo industry! Including Eternal ink,Welker Rotaries, Stencil Stuff, Redemption Tattoo, Deathless Cords, and Rinse Cup Clean Up. I appreciate everything that they do for me and I always try and tell everyone about them.
Managing and owning my own shop in Australia. We opened "Ink Ur Bod" in 2012 and it has been a crazy experience. We literally tiled our own floors and painted the shop multiple times. Blood sweat and tears went into creating the shop and making it what it is today. It is always being reinvented. We love reinvention. It's part of what makes us creative and makes us enjoy the journey of owning the tattoo shop...along with the creative and talented artists that work for us, we also take guests artists from time to time and that has also made it very memorable.
Going to my first MOTORCITY...talk about mind blowing! It was a whirl of excitement! Being surrounded by so much talent was so inspiring. We went to dinners and were shown around Detroit. Of course hanging out with Eternal and the creative people behind the company was truly mind blowing--all the hard work, loads of love that is put into operating the business, all that they do for their sponsors, and who they are on a personal level. They are respectful and true to their word. I feel very blessed to know them and definitely look up to them. It's like a second home away from home and I am very proud to be a Sponsored Eternal Ink Artist.
Meeting Sullen and all the awesome minds behind the company and media. They are so friendly and down to earth. We cross paths all of the time and it's always nice to see them doing what they do, promoting the industry and artists.
Conventions are always great because they involve meeting new people. I truly love that and look forward to it. It's all about the clients. They are the ones paying the money to trust me with their art on their skin. It's always nice to hear from them afterwards about how the tattoo is healing, how they are doing in general, and what's happening in their lives.

Can you describe yourself in a sentence?

I am the result of perseverance for 11 years. I have worked my ass off to get where I am. I know where I am going, but I will never forget where I came from. Ever.