For the latest R.Neighbourhood, we headed to Black Ink Rebellion to meet local tattoo artist Ollie Harris.
Known for his Chicano-inspired work, Ollie has carved out a style of his own - while also running his barbershop in Wesley Yard.
Dressed in our new-season menswear, Ollie sat down with Grace to talk tattoos, creativity and his journey as an artist.
Meet Ollie.
Where is your Tattoo studio located?
East Street, Newquay. Black Ink Rebellion.
What does your timeline as a tattoo artist look like? Where did it all start?
I’ve wanted to be a tattoo artist since I was 14, and now I’m 33. So it’s been a long road…
What inspired you at the start of that journey?
Too many things! I’d get home from school, and Miami Ink would be on TV. I’d watch it and think that all of the artists were sick and that what i wanted to be when I was older. Still love that show…
I’d go into school and draw roses all over my mates’ hands. I’d been drawing before that, but that was when I knew I wanted to become a tattoo artist.
The bands I listened to were a big influence too, and all the skaters were covered in tattoos. Much of the inspiration came from music and skate culture.
I grew up skating Southbank in London (an unofficial skateboarding venue dating back to the 1970s) - surrounded by bands playing, tattooed skaters. That whole world had a massive influence on me growing up.
Now I’ve got too many inspirations to name. My tattooing is mainly Chicano - that Latin, Mexican-American, LA street style.
Also… a big shout-out to my studio mum and dad, Wayne and Sam Roberts, for all their support in my tattoo Journey. Legends.
If someone walked into your studio who had never met you, what would you want the space to tell them about you?
hmmm tricky…My style of tattooing i guess. I want you to walk in and get a sense of what I’m about straight away.
How would you describe your style - both in tattooing and personally?
My tattooing style is Chicano, fine line and traditional.
Clothing… it all depends on how I feel that day. Mainly double denim, a proper Canadian tracksuit with jackets and boots. Simple.
If you could tattoo one person, living or dead, who would it be?
Johnny Cash. Skull and crossbones on Johnny Cash, definitely.
You’ve got a barbershop too?
Yeah - it’s called Knuckleheads in Wesley Yard, Newquay. I co-own the shop with my good mate Jack Parr.
Is there something that connects barber culture and tattoo culture for you?
Yeah, loads. I think I’ve made my styles from both places merge.
Everyone rides motorbikes, gets tattoos... it’s a similar industry, isn’t it? You’re dealing with people every day, chatting shit. Which is great!
I started barbering 12 years ago. I actually got into it because tattooing is so hard to break into. I wanted loads of tattoos, and I thought, I can’t have a normal job looking like that. I’d better be a barber so I can get my face tattooed….
There are definitely cultural crossovers. Both of my spaces channel the kind of clientele that comes through the door.
Knuckleheads is about the full experience and service. You come in, sit down and talk about whatever you want. ( but bikes and tattoos mainly)
We’re now partnered with Uppercut, and they feature us on their worldwide website, which is a sick opportunity and gives us a lot of exposure.
I’m not in the barbershop much anymore, but I love working in there now and again.
What are your favourite tats?
Ahh i’ve got so many…
One of my favourites is from my mate Verdi (@whitelandstatoo) down the road at La Familia - an unbelievable artist. Chicano lady head on my leg.
I get my mates to tattoo me - Jack who owns the Barbershop at a chopper show grabbed the needle and tattooed F.T.W in my leg - love that one..
Then my daughter drew me a heart with an arrow through it, an aspirational tattoo artist herself (hopefully).
It was great catching up with Ollie Harris - we left without a tattoo, but maybe next time.
A big thanks to Ollie and Black Ink Rebellion for letting us come down and shoot.
Who do you want to see next in R.Neighbourhood?
R.NEIGHBOURHOOD | OLLIE HARRIS
For the latest R.Neighbourhood, we headed to Black Ink Rebellion to meet local tattoo artist Ollie Harris.
Known for his Chicano-inspired work, Ollie has carved out a style of his own - while also running his barbershop in Wesley Yard.
Dressed in our new-season menswear, Ollie sat down with Grace to talk tattoos, creativity and his journey as an artist.
Meet Ollie.
Where is your Tattoo studio located?
East Street, Newquay. Black Ink Rebellion.
What does your timeline as a tattoo artist look like? Where did it all start?
I’ve wanted to be a tattoo artist since I was 14, and now I’m 33. So it’s been a long road…
What inspired you at the start of that journey?
Too many things! I’d get home from school, and Miami Ink would be on TV. I’d watch it and think that all of the artists were sick and that what i wanted to be when I was older. Still love that show…
I’d go into school and draw roses all over my mates’ hands. I’d been drawing before that, but that was when I knew I wanted to become a tattoo artist.
The bands I listened to were a big influence too, and all the skaters were covered in tattoos. Much of the inspiration came from music and skate culture.
I grew up skating Southbank in London (an unofficial skateboarding venue dating back to the 1970s) - surrounded by bands playing, tattooed skaters. That whole world had a massive influence on me growing up.
Now I’ve got too many inspirations to name. My tattooing is mainly Chicano - that Latin, Mexican-American, LA street style.
Also… a big shout-out to my studio mum and dad, Wayne and Sam Roberts, for all their support in my tattoo Journey. Legends.
If someone walked into your studio who had never met you, what would you want the space to tell them about you?
hmmm tricky…My style of tattooing i guess. I want you to walk in and get a sense of what I’m about straight away.
How would you describe your style - both in tattooing and personally?
My tattooing style is Chicano, fine line and traditional.
Clothing… it all depends on how I feel that day. Mainly double denim, a proper Canadian tracksuit with jackets and boots. Simple.
If you could tattoo one person, living or dead, who would it be?
Johnny Cash. Skull and crossbones on Johnny Cash, definitely.
You’ve got a barbershop too?
Yeah - it’s called Knuckleheads in Wesley Yard, Newquay. I co-own the shop with my good mate Jack Parr.
Is there something that connects barber culture and tattoo culture for you?
Yeah, loads. I think I’ve made my styles from both places merge.
Everyone rides motorbikes, gets tattoos... it’s a similar industry, isn’t it? You’re dealing with people every day, chatting shit. Which is great!
I started barbering 12 years ago. I actually got into it because tattooing is so hard to break into. I wanted loads of tattoos, and I thought, I can’t have a normal job looking like that. I’d better be a barber so I can get my face tattooed….
There are definitely cultural crossovers. Both of my spaces channel the kind of clientele that comes through the door.
Knuckleheads is about the full experience and service. You come in, sit down and talk about whatever you want. ( but bikes and tattoos mainly)
We’re now partnered with Uppercut, and they feature us on their worldwide website, which is a sick opportunity and gives us a lot of exposure.
I’m not in the barbershop much anymore, but I love working in there now and again.
What are your favourite tats?
Ahh i’ve got so many…
One of my favourites is from my mate Verdi (@whitelandstatoo) down the road at La Familia - an unbelievable artist. Chicano lady head on my leg.
I get my mates to tattoo me - Jack who owns the Barbershop at a chopper show grabbed the needle and tattooed F.T.W in my leg - love that one..
Then my daughter drew me a heart with an arrow through it, an aspirational tattoo artist herself (hopefully).
It was great catching up with Ollie Harris - we left without a tattoo, but maybe next time.
A big thanks to Ollie and Black Ink Rebellion for letting us come down and shoot.
Who do you want to see next in R.Neighbourhood?