Leaving a mark on the world

On the wall of The Violet and Fern Permanent Art are neon paintings of dragons, tigers and skulls created by the owner, Nicky Inkslinger. 

While she enjoys painting, her artwork isn’t limited to the canvas. Instead, Inkslinger leaves her mark on the world by tattooing. 

“The fact that it’s permanent, that someone’s wearing my artwork, really appealed to me,” she said. 

 

 

Inkslinger learned how to tattoo at Oceans of Ink in Sussex, New Brunswick, 10 years ago. She wasn’t paid, so she designed templates and printing stencils for tombstones at Nelson Monuments to support herself. 

She later moved to Manitoba to work with some family members, but moved to back New Brunswick three years ago because she was homesick. 

When Inkslinger moved back, she began tattooing in a barber shop in Oromocto. Most of her clients were from the military, and some followed her to Fredericton when she opened The Violet and Fern a year later. 

One of the perks of being her own boss is being able to choose who she wants to tattoo If she doesn’t vibe with the client, she’s not forced to work on them. 

Inkslinger said she spends between 16 and 24 hours on tattooing a week. Her style can vary from neotraditional to black and grey animal portraits. 

Since most of her pieces are large or coverups, she only sees one to two clients a day. But that’s how she likes it. 

“I don’t like to do the same thing over and over again. I find I get bored with it,” Inkslinger said. 

“[Coverups] present a different challenge that I like. It gives me something new to play with.” 

One of the pieces she’s working on is a coverup for Michael Caufield. 

On the right side of his chest are two maple leaves, one green and one gold. Caufield’s arm is almost covered in ink with a red maple leaf taking up most of his shoulder. Red flowers and green and gold maple leaves stand out against a dark blue background. His right shoulder blade is the only spot left unfinished, with a red flower and an uncoloured maple leaf.  

Caufield found Inkslinger through her Instagram portfolio and chose her because of her linework and use of colour. He also liked how Inkslinger hung her own paintings around the shop. 

“She’s not just a tattooer, she’s an artist,” Caufield said.

Inkslinger put everything she had into The Violet and Fern but she’s happy of about where she is.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”