Our wonderful social media girl boss Inkedcrybaby is a huge fan of London tattoo artist Gi aka Slow Pokes. For KinKats she talked to Gi about her beginnings as a tattooist, her life in London and why tattooing with a machine just doesn’t feel right for her.
For the german version of the interview click here.
By Inkedcrybaby
Hello Gi! Let’s start easy and smooth; introduce yourself to our fellow readers!
Gi: „Well hello … my name‘s Georgia but everyone calls me ,Gi’. You may also know me as the Handpoke tattooist Slow Pokes (@Slowpokes__ on Instagram). I am 26 years young, and I live in London. I adore my job and lifestyle, creating on the daily, travelling to new places and meeting such wonderful humans.“
So, you are known as Gi in your private life and as „Slowpokes“ in your working life as a tattoo artist in London. Tell us all about that! What is life as a tattoo artist like? What does living in a capital like London feel like?
Gi: „Slow Pokes has become a really amazing way to brand myself over the years. It’s funny when people refer to this as my actual name, it’s a cute nickname now. When I was younger I guess I wasn’t a huge fan of long walks or getting to a place in a hurry, so my mum would often playfully call me a slowpoke. So when I began teaching myself the Handpoke technique, which is an incredibly slow process at first, the name sort of felt fitting. It’s a pretty funny name now as I’m considered quite quick at Handpoking. ,Fast pokes’ doesn’t sound right though hahaha.“
How long have you been working as a professional tattoo artist?
Gi: „I would say I have been tattoooing professionally for roughly six years now, but I’ve been working in the tattoo industry since I was 17. I began as a cleaner in a studio, then was taught to do body piercings and later tattoo laser removal. Life as a tattoo artist is a full time graft, but it fuels my soul on the daily and I couldn’t see myself doing much else in life. Living in London is a great base for a creative human.“
Did you grow up in London?
Gi: „I grew up just outside of London but moved to the capital when I started tattooing professionally aged 21. I have lived in other cities since, however I realised London has my heart a few years back. It’s great for other opportunities outside of tattooing, plus when my clients travel from abroad it’s easy to combine the tattoo session with a tourist visit to London as well.“
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Did you always know you’d want to become a tattoo artist? Or did you have other plans at a younger age?
Gi: „No, I wouldn’t say I have always wanted to be a tattoo artist. Growing up I was more academic and never prioritised art. I didn’t think it was possible to create for a living! That doesn’t mean I ever had a plan, I felt very lost when I was a teenager and struggled to imagine what my future could progress into. That being said I was always obsessed with watching the shows like ,LA ink’ and I thought Kat Von D was the coolest person ever when I was growing up. By luck (or manifestation) I got into the alternative / tattoo scene and became friends with tattooists in my local studio, who then opened the door to get me involved with starting to work within the industry. And the rest is history …“
As I know since I’ve been following you for a couple of years now: You Stick and Poke tattoos and don’t use a tattoo machine. Why’s that? What do you like the most about it?
Gi: „I don’t like using a machine … I taught myself along side watching my mentors use machines. I chose the Handpoke technique because I love the entire process. For someone like myself with a brain full of chaos, I find the method very therapeutic and also meditative. Time doesn’t exist and my brain gets quieter. Another reason I choose to Handpoke is that causes a lot less trauma to the skin meaning that it; hurts less, heals quicker and you can tattoo in more unique placements. Eg ears, faces, eyelids etc. I find that the whole experience that I create is so special with every client as a result. There’s no machine noise to impose and the client is much more chilled and relaxed so it’s a much more intimate vibe when being handpoked. No one complains about the pain and a lot of my clients fall asleep on the bigger sessions. I love drawing a design by hand and tattooing by hand, stripping back to the basics, the old school way.“
Slow Pokes: „I would say I’ve got the art of ‘faking it until you make it’ down to a T.“
You are very active on your personal instagram @lunar.lovemore and viewers can find a lot of amazing modelling pictures of you. Did you always feel confident in front of the camera?
Gi: „Absolutely not! I still struggle with confidence/body image and get very anxious before shoots. I would say I’ve got the art of ‘faking it until you make it’ down to a T. With time I’m slowly becoming more comfortable as you can find the flow of what you know works for you. I try to be active on my personal page so that you can have abit of insight into who ‘Gi / Slowpokes’ is. The reception is mostly positive from my followers, so I guess it encourages me to continue. I’ve also made so many friends along the way after working with designers or photographers, the glam squads I’ve experienced have always been so amazing also.“
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You especially show yourself in breathtaking lingerie. I personally always melt into my phone screen when I see your content. Your blackwork Tattoos like your back, arms and legs are astonishing. Do you have a personal goal when it comes to your body tattoo-project?
Gi: „Hahaha thank you that means a lot and is a huge compliment. The lingerie shoots have only been a recent progression, I wouldn’t say it’s my go-to as it’s definitely quite a raw way to be photographed. I’m lucky to have worked with photographers that have made me feel incredibly comfortable and safe when shooting in lingerie. Plus what a great way to show off the body suit I’m slowly making my way with …. I adore blackwork, and have been working on getting the larger tattoo sessions out the way. The plan is to finish with a body suit with mostly blackwork, Japanese and ornamental. The next goal is to start with my stomach as it’s the last large space I have left and it’s all I can focus on at the moment!!!“
Do you have one specific Tattoo Artist you always go to?
Gi: „I have been tattooed by many amazing tattoo artists, however the majority is now done by my good friend & old mentor @darkmaa_tattooer.“
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How did family and friends react when you got your face tattoos done? How old were you?
Gi: „My friends and family are very accepting of me and my tattoos now, as they can see how happy and free I am. However, my parents weren’t always the biggest fans.. I think they both cried when I tattooed my face as I was still very young. I can’t remember the exact age but I think I was still a teenager. I got covered very quickly as soon as I turned 18, this was the best way for me to learn about tattooing and I was eager to become covered in tattoos. Hence why I’m now covered in a lot of heavy blackwork as maybe I would have made different decisions if I had waited …. No regrets though!!!“
Do you have anything to say to our readers as a little goodbye saying?
Gi: „Well firstly thanks for reading if you got this far … I would say always be kind to yourself, trust your gut and follow your dreams. Everything happens for a reason, however I’m a huge believer that we can also create our realities through manifestation. So focus on yourself and everything will fall into place. Always strive to act with love. Do it with love …“
Follow G aka Slow Pokes on Instagram
Gi‘s Model pictures: Mike Burnage
