The night before I got my latest tattoo I freaked out. No, I hadn’t got cold feet at the notion that tomorrow’s ink would be etched on my skin forever, people get married with less consideration than I had taken over this. Britney and childhood friend Jason Allen Alexander circa 1994, I’m looking at you. No, this was a till death do us part that I could handle. The problem was that I hadn’t exactly checked the studio out beforehand. That’s tattoo 101. Suddenly I couldn’t get images of rusty needles and my Mum saying, “I told you so”, out of my mind. SPOILER ALERT: my tattoo is perfect and the studio was spotlessly clean. But I wouldn’t exactly advise you to go about it the way I did. So don’t find an artist you like via Instagram, email them, and book a tattoo without visiting the studio first to check that it meets hygiene standards. And don’t just assume that the studio will be in central Paris and then last minute discover that Colombes is actually in the outskirts of the city and not even on a metro line. Or do, because you know, life is an adventure after all. Just don’t blame me when you’re on Skype explaining to your Mother how you ended up with a wonky ‘J’aime le Tour Eiffel’ tattoo on your wrist.
I went back to Needle Park Tattoo studio last week to get my tattoo touched up (included in the price) and I caught up with the lovely Carole, aka Chimaera, 24 to find out more about her life as a tattoo artist in Paris.
How would you describe your tattooing style?
Well, kind of black and graphic tattoo style. With lots of dotwork and woodcut. I love fine lines and light tattoos.
How did you get into tattooing? Did you always know you wanted to be a tattooist?
Yes, I fell in love with this mesmerising job when I was 16. And since then I have never wanted to do anything else.
What inspires your designs? Who are your favourite tattooists at the moment?
Well, it can be anything, but I have a preference for anything that touches nature, and insects in particular. I also like working on the esotericism, the former (old) anatomical illustrations. My favourite tattooist is Gakkinx, he’s absolutely amazing! I love Kolahari’s work too, and Barke Rousse in the AKA team, Scott Move and Delphine Noiztoy and so many others!
What do you want to tattoo more of?
Always more insects! I would love to tattoo a whole arm with flowers, insects, small birds…Just so you know ! [haha].
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
I haven’t been given any really good advice to move forward or anything. On the other hand what has allowed me to be where I am today is the support of all the people who surround me. And that is worth more than all the advice in the world!
Outside of work how do you spend your time?
Well, I keep drawing, go to see my boyfriend and his band in concert, visit museums, discover new restaurants (I’m a real food lover!), modelling for some photographer friends, having a drink with friends and drawing again!
– The best place to get coffee in Paris is…Nowhere! Haha! But if you want to have a really nice brunch and a good cup of coffee you MUST go to the Holly Belly!
– When I feel like dancing I go to… The Nouveau Casino near the metro station Parmentier, they have some good concerts and after that some good DJ sets. And if you’re drunk enough you can go to the International, and if you want to party all night just go to Pigalles! But please never at the Grands Boulevards, it’s a trap!
– The best view in Paris is… Well this is a difficult one, I’ll say Montmartre in summer at night, this is gold.
– When I want some peace and tranquility I visit…The Jardin des Plantes or a small gallery of entomology and taxidermy near Fille du Calvaire called Galerie Chardon. The guy is pretty cool and he knows almost everything about insects and especially about beetles!
– My favourite museum is…the Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle, this is the one!
You only have 24 hours left in Paris. What do you do?
Well, I’ll go crazy! I would like to do everything, go to the museum, walk in the Marais, eat an enormous plate of delicious specialities at Chez Marianne in Saint Paul, and then go and eat some Mochi for the dessert at Allo Sushi and then have a drink at The Stolly’s and finish the day with a concert at La Bellevilloise. I think that can be a good last day in Paris :)
All images are copyright and belong to Chimaera. For more info check out her Insta and Facebook page .
