Having opened The Witch House tattoo shop, a thriving as a little spooky oasis in the southern suburbs of Cape Town, we’re excited to bring you owner/ artist Chrissy Watson as our featured Tattoo Artist.
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Full name: Chrissy Watson
Shop: The Witch House
Years tattooing: 2
Tattoo Style: Neo Traditional
Hourly rate: Negotiable
Give us some insight into your journey of becoming a tattoo artist?
I’m 37, so I was kind of late to the party. I studied art and spent the last 20 years getting tattooed from all my mates in Cape Town. After having some successful and some not so successful careers, I decided I was finally ready to learn and commit to art full time. It’s been a ride! I’m still learning every day.
What first attracted you to the world of tattooing?
I guess listening to a lot of metal and alternative music as a youngster made me want to explore body modification and permanent art on the skin. Also, I thought Blade was f*cking cool with his tribal.
What does a day in your life usually consist of?
Mayhem, chaos and disorder. In between running the shop, drawing, tattooing and trying to adult.
Tell us something most people don’t know about you?
I’m a closet jock, I love nerding out on nutrition, training and bodybuilding.
What have been some of the highlights of your career?
Tattooing fellow tattooers. Them trusting me has definitely been the best feeling ever.
What style of tattoo do you enjoy creating the most?
I love lady heads, floral and skulls. Anything with organic flow and the possibility to be a little wild.
How do you like to make sure you keep progressing as an artist?
I have excellent mentorship from other artists in my shop who help push me artistically daily, I also watch a lot of YouTube tutorials and subscribe to We Make Artists which helps to keep me in the loop of international progressions and styles.
Give us the low down on The Witch House tattoo shop?
It was a sh!t hole when I bought it, and over the last two years, after a lot of blood, sweat and tears, it’s thriving as a little spooky oasis in the southern suburbs. We have a lot of plants, oddities, books, and hidden phallic imagery. My amazing shop manager Kelly makes the best coffee and we are f*cking lucky to have amazing clients and friends pull through daily. I always wanted a tattoo space where people could be relaxed and spoilt a bit.
What goals have you set for yourself and the shop within the next few years?
For myself – I just want to push myself to draw and tattoo in numerous styles and different subject matters.
For the shop – we have had the pleasure of guest artists and I want it to grow and be inviting for others to come visit and tattoo. We are going to continue trying to give the best customer service possible, and in the years to come that is what I want us to be known for, along with top class tattoos.
What advice would you give someone wanting to get their first tattoo?
Find what you want, put it somewhere you see it every day, wait six months, and if you still want it, get it. Also, when you get it, put it somewhere where you aren’t going to want a bigger tattoo at a later stage. And trust me, you are going to want more.
For anyone wanting to book an appointment with you, what’s the next step?
To book with me, you can DM on my Instagram, @chrissywatsonart, or you can WhatsApp me on 0780835808.
The Witch House
Contact: 078 083 5808
Email: info@thewitchhouse.co.za
Address: 34 1st Avenue, Harfield Village, Claremont, Cape Town
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Tattoos by Chrissy Watson
Photos by Grant McLachlan.