Callum’s Clown Girl
A year ago (it might be two, idk, I didn’t check) I posted some designs, and Callum reached out saying that next time I’m in the UK he wants the clown girl that I posted.
In the maybe 18 months since I posted it my style changed. The way I tattoo is different. Come our session early this year, I present him with a revised, more current version of my designs. And is often the case it evolved again, and we took the vampire references that I had and used them for that session, leaving the clown for next time.
Well March marked “next time” and I changed the plan again.
My brother told me a story once, he was delivering an album to a couple he’d worked for, (when he was still a wedding photographer ofc). They told him there was this tattoo artist they’d heard about. Their friend goes to this guy in Oxford, who’s a maniac.
You never know what you’re getting with this guy. You send over your brief, any references you might have and when you go in he’s always drawn up something completely different, but somehow it’s always better than anything you could ever have imagined.
The couple said it sounded stressful, but the friend insisted that his portfolio spoke for itself, and he handles it in such a way that it’s exciting and somehow makes sense. They thought it actually sounded like their wedding photographer. Then the friend named the artist…
The couple thought, huh… weird first name, last name Charles, erratic but brilliant, sounds like their photographer.
So they told my brother all this. And told him this artist’s name. Samma Charles.
”Oh yeah, That’s my brother” he said.
At least it’s expected that I’m going to be chaotic.
Anyway, This is what I did for Callum in the end. Way more surreal, way weirder, way cooler. Way more Samma Charles. And absolutely not what he asked for. And one of my favourite tattoos I’ve ever done.
In August I’ll work on his other sleeve, I think we’re starting with a rework, but more on that when I do it.
And I’ll get healed pictures of this one when I see him then! Back to Swindon I go…
Custom Tattoo Design with Chaos Included – Oxford & Boston Bookings Open
This piece is exactly why I tell people: don’t expect what you asked for—expect something better. If you’re into surreal tattoos, love the idea of giving creative control, or want a custom piece that evolves in the chair, I’m booking now in Oxford, UK, and Boston, MA.
Whether it's a clown girl, a vampire pin-up, or something you can’t quite describe yet, I make art that surprises people—in the best way. Click here to book your session.