Honouring the tattoo tradition

West End

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This article was published 08/02/2023 (1195 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Recently opened at 1416 Erin St., Born Wild Tattoo is a throwback to the older style of shops, where the walls are filled with designs to choose from, owner Shawn Farrell said. Long appreciative of the practice and art of tattooing, Farrell said he looks forward to helping people pick the right kind of design to express themselves through.

One-half of the 1990s-2000s rockabilly band The Farrell Bros. — with his bass-playing brother, Gordie, and non-Farrell drummer Nuke Norval — guitarist Shawn knew from a young age that he wanted to practise visual art in some way. During his music career, he’d regularly see tattoos, but the good ones caught his eye

“They could be old and gnarly and you couldn’t even tell what they were anymore, but they were so cool to me,” Farrell said.

The public perception of tattoos has evolved over the last two decades, Farrell said. Credit exposure through different media, including television shows such as Miami Ink, which ran for four seasons in the first decade of the 2000s.

“That started changing people’s attitudes toward tattooing,” Farrell said. “It was a bit cliche, but some feared having a tattoo, even a loonie-sized one that was easily covered, could stop you from getting a job. That generation of people that were against tattooing and those who held stereotypes have aged out. People don’t care anymore.”

Two decades ago, tattoo artists maybe had to compete with others in the neighbourhood or town. Now they’re competing with the world.

“Social media gives you the opportunity to see what people are doing around the world,” Farrell said.

Farrell’s clientele includes people from all walks of life like doctors, nurses, businesspeople and tradespeople. Those who get tattoos tend to get several.

Some come in with a clear idea of what they want. Sometimes it’s family or faith-related, but often they want something cool and peruse the hundreds of designs on the shop walls. Farrell is happy to discuss ideas before they begin. If a design is more intricate, it may require multiple appointments. Simpler ones can be done in an hour.

Born Wild Tattoo is a family affair. Farrell’s son Riley, 20, is learning the family business. They are joined by Landen Stachiw.

To book an appointment, phone 204-219-5699, email shawnfarrell@live.com, or visit the shop and artist’s Facebook and Instagram pages.