Equal Fashion Magazine Vol 4 | 2016 | Page 66

Equal Fashion Magazine Vol 4-2016 Brian Tipping, owner of EyeCandy tattoo studio in Bangor, is rising as a top artist in Northern Ireland with his diverse portfolio of work and having won four awards since opening in 2011. Brian had humble beginnings, using his artistic talent to do everything from painting shop displays to children?s bedrooms. When Brian?s intrigue into tattooing began,the tattoo scene was not as we know it today; Studios weren?t as common and equipment was much harder to come by. Struggling to get a place in a studio at the time, Brian practiced on friends and family, learning how to perfect his technique, a time that he remembers as being fun and exciting but also somewhat of a challenging time; ?Transferring from paper to skin was a long and frustrating process but also fascinating and joyful. Its 90% confidence and that?s easy to 66 have if your working on yourself or my brother or close friend...you know they wont be too pissed off if you fuck it up.? Brian laughs. But with only a little direction from another local artist, Brian?s achievements have been huge.?When I think about what I?ve achieved, it?s not bad. To be honest I?ve never thought about that as I just plug away at stuff but I?ve managed to throw together a career and one that I genuinely love. I love going to work and still get excited at the thought of putting ideas together for whatever I?m doing.