Eights Brigade: tattoo

INTRODUCING THE NEWEST MEMBER TO THE EIGHTS FAMILY AND FIRST EVER BLOG CONTRIBUTOR!

Around 6 months back we were visiting Brisbane and had heard of this rad little 24/7 coffee shop in Fortitude Valley called Death By Decaf. Needed that caffeine hit so thought we'd drop by for the daily boost. We ended up meeting a gnarly barista - Emma Dawe.

I have always loved art, in high school it was the only thing I managed to get an A in. After leaving school I stopped drawing a lot, it was only a thing I would do occasionally as I was quite embarrassed of my work. After meeting my partner Bennett who is a tattoo artist, he pushed me to start drawing again. His style of tattooing being realism really inspired me to start drawing portraits and photo realistic pieces. If it wasn't for him being so supportive and patient with me I don't think I would of picked up a pencil again.

At the start of this year I started a tattoo apprenticeship. One of the artists who I worked under also primarily tattooed realism. He taught me some great tips and tools to use whilst drawing. In the time I was doing my apprenticeship I learnt a lot about what I wanted from my creativity, and soon realised that tattooing wasn't for me. I loved to have the freedom to draw for myself and the pressure of tattooing was something I personally couldn't handle.

I have only started drawing realism in the last 6 months so I still have a lot to learn but I am happy with the progress I have made in the time I have been drawing. There are so many amazing artists I follow on Instagram that I look up to. One particular girl I follow, Kit King, her work is incredible and if I could be half as good as her one day it would be a dream come true. I also love the fact I can relate to her somewhat as she use to tattoo but now focuses mainly on her drawings and paintings.

I started getting tattoos when I was 19, back then it was all about just having a tattoo. Now I appreciate the time, dedication and patience that goes into every tattoo and love the fact I can wear another artists work on my skin. I hope to grow and learn as much as possible through my drawings as it is something I am very passionate about and truly love.

I recently just started my own Instagram page - Shades of Dawe. The hype thus far has been incredible and I'm so appreciative of all the love. I look forward to being a monthly contributor to the Eights blog so hope you all enjoy what I have to bring in the future!

Emma xo
Instagram - @ShadesofDawe

An afternoon with Tawny Taylor for Eights Brigade

"I'm a nasty coffee snob and can't live a day without an espresso"

We recently had the pleasure of catching up with Brisbane based, coffee loving, tatty slippin' Tawny Taylor. You can catch Tawny on the social side of Instagram @tawnytaylor

Photographer: David Collins

Tell us a little about yourself?

I'm probably the most impatient sonabitch you'll ever come across, but I would rather be early than late.

I don't think I can go a day without somehow eating or drinking a banana, they give me the happy feels.

Rainy days are my favourite even if it does mean my hair is going to be ruined because of them.

Nothing gets me like a man with a nice cologne... Shit gets real.

It's funny when people meet me in real life I usually always get the comment ' wow I didn't think you were so short '... :/ I'm probably about 5"1ish.

You love a solid tattoo, whats your most favourite and why?

I have three different favourites for different reasons. My collar bone reads 'china blue' which is a song my dad wrote when he was 14 years old and my first tattoo, and I love my dad he is the man. The horse on my thigh is a cover up piece by Tom Bartley and I couldn't be happier with it. He killed it and you would agree with me if you saw the big ol black lump that he had to work with!

Finally I have a little initial behind my left ear... I won't tell you who's it is but I can tell you that it was one of the biggest learning curves in my life and they will always hold a huge spot in my heart.

We know you love coffee, what’s your local spot in Brisbane?

Fuck! Coffee!! I'm so bout it bout it.

I'm a nasty coffee snob and can't live a day without an espresso. There is this roaster in Milton that has a bean that I'm sure was created by jeebus. It's called The Odyssey Project and wherever I see them using their beans I'm there.