Soulstice Ink: A Queer Tattoo Interview (That Happened While A Queer Person Was Getting Tattooed)

Any Queer person with tattoos in Joburg will be very familiar with Jaimee and their incredible work as a tattoo artist, from her many appearances at Picnic and Thrift, to their huge online following. While being tattooed by the artist herself, I got to find out more about her studio becoming a safe space for the SA queer community and their plans for the future; which is a credit to her, tattooing and being interviewed simultaneously is not as easy as it sounds.

It started like any other tattoo session: in Jaimee’s private tattoo space, a pride flag proudly hanging on the wall, plants decorating the space, and a meticulously curated playlist. This was my second time being tattooed by Jaimee, so we fell into a very familiar routine. Always eager, Jaimee began preparing me for my tattoo- a flash design- gleefully talking about how excited she was for the session. I was just as excited- who doesn’t love getting a new tattoo? Ultimately, it was an opportunity to sit and learn more about an artist I adore and get to call friend. Once I was shaved, the stencil was on, and my head placed on a pillow with a hand-knitted pride pillowcase gifted by their sister, we were ready to start. 

Jaimee's studio - fit for all the gays

Jaimee (she/they- but really just prefers to be called Jaimee), wasn’t always set on becoming a tattoo artist. In fact, it was something they picked up for fun. Jaimee began by tattooing themselves, with a basic tattooing kit she ordered online, and realised they could take it seriously. Jaimee spoke about how they “didn't know that’s something you could do, that’s just something you’re supposed to know when you’re younger,” which makes sense. When most of us think of tattoo artists, we think of it being a calling from birth, like becoming an astronaut, or a racecar driver. It rarely seems like something you can simply stumble upon, but that’s exactly what Jaimee did. Jaimee spent a couple years tattooing friends and herself, and eventually, turned it into the business we all know and love today.

“Does tattooing get repetitive when you do it everyday?”

- the first question on my list, and the one I wondered about the most. Surely, if you do the same thing everyday it would get tedious? Jaimee put all my fears to rest immediately.

“Honestly not at all, and that’s why I fell in love with it so much,” they said, then went on to talk about how she tried a bunch of other mediums - but those actually became repetitive for her. “Even though it's the same medium, [tattooing is] so different everyday and the people that I meet are so different that it's a new experience every time I tattoo someone.” Jaimee then added “I don’t think I'm gonna get tired of it, I still get excited everyday,” which I personally think is the most important.  

“Everyone gets tattoos for different reasons - tattoos mean something different to everyone.”

Jaimee and I spent a lot of time on tattoos and their meanings. We agreed that tattoos don’t need any meaning at all. We both personally enjoy patchwork tattoos, and how you eventually end up with the story of your life on your skin. Tattoos are often so burdened with the need to be deep and thoughtful. Most of the time, the first thing a person will ask when they see your tattoos is “What does it mean?” This part of tattoo culture prevents a lot of people from getting a lot of cool tattoos that they’d enjoy for the rest of their lives. Jaimee disregards this view completely, with most of their tattoos being void of meaning. So, this is your sign to go get that meaningless tattoo! 

A Beacon of Hope for the Queer Community

We inevitably got to the topic of being queer, being a queer tattoo artist, and tattooing the queer community. Jaimee personally didn't know they were queer until 3 years ago. She went through what most queer people do, thinking that “everyone felt that way.” Once they discovered their queerness, a lot of things started to make sense. Jaimee opened up about how she never felt safe in tattoo spaces, and for a long time accredited it to being a woman in South Africa. Thinking about it now, Jaimee realises that it’s due to her queerness.

Jaimee explains, “I never found a safe space for it, and because of that I was like ‘Okay, well then, I’ll just create the space”. It was necessary to create a space where everyone could be themselves and feel comfortable and safe, especially for young 18 year olds getting their first tattoos. Jaimee has heard so many horror stories about young queer people feeling uncomfortable and unsafe while being tattooed. But, in her attempt of being a safe space to prevent such horror stories from continuing, Jaimee has become The Safe Space. 

Jaimee’s clientele is mostly, if not fully, queer. Jaimee says that they “unintentionally attracted exactly who she wanted to”, with their clients being just like her. She was worried they weren’t going to get the clients she wanted, explaining that it is equally important for the tattoo artist to feel safe and comfortable with their client. Now, Jaimee says their ratio is 95 Queer : 5 Straight, which we both consider a big achievement. 

What does Jaimee’s future in tattooing hold?

She wants to “only focus on that aspect of queerness, because why not?” There’s nothing else like it in South Africa, or at least nothing that I’ve heard. Jaimee wants to create studios that are complete safe spaces, for everyone. Often studios that claim to be complete safe spaces fall short: “If it’s a safe space with straight people, it’s still not the safest.” 

Goals and aspirations for the future of her career are as big as their enthusiasm.They don't know when, but she wants to open a tattoo studio only employing queer tattoo artists, complete with a queer piercer as well. It’s very clear that in everything Jaimee does, their main priority is the safety of their clients, which is incredibly important and so admirable to see. 

I asked Jaimee about the pressure of being labelled “The Queer Tattoo Artist In Joburg.” She says there isn’t too much pressure in that aspect. The real pressure comes from being a tattoo artist, and being perceived differently to what she is, especially on social media. They have definitely been put on a pedestal by everyone who follows them. Jaimee wants the world to know that she’s not perfect or better than anyone else, she’s on the same level. “The pressure is just to give everyone a space where regardless of who you are, you feel good.”

Phoebe Bridgers, Boygenius, and the “zone”

We, of course, moved onto Phoebe Bridgers. Anyone that knows Jaimee knows who her favourite artist is. Boygenius gets them into a “zone” where they can sit and relax and be with themselves. If you ever get the honour of being tattooed by them (which should definitely be on the top of your bucket-list), the soft hum of the tattoo pen will be drowned out by Boygenius and Phoebe’s discography. The songs hold a certain tranquillity, and a lot of her flash designs are easy to design, because they are, more often than not, based on lyrics from the band or the artist. 

Let the record show that Jaimee is very proud of their tattoo playlist, and they definitely should be, considering it’s over 8 hours long.

Imposter Syndrome 

Imposter Syndrome is something most artists go through, and Jaimee is no different. Despite being a tattooing star who has tattooed hundreds of designs, Jaimee still experiences it. Jaimee shared words of comfort their friend gave them: People will always remember their tattoo artist and they’ll be reminded of them everytime they see the tattoo. Jaimee is helping people tell their own stories, which she thinks is an amazing gift to have, and to give.

“I’m having the best time. I always do when you’re here”- Jaimee 2023 (I just want this written down because oh my goodness, did I get a good grade in getting tattooed?)

Despite taking 3 hours, the interview felt like the quickest conversation I’ve ever had. Although there were a few winces here and there, the interview helped take my mind off any pain I was in, and by the end of it, I got to go home with a tattoo I will always cherish. After all, who gets to say they were interviewing someone while they were getting a tattoo? It’s clear in every way that Jaimee takes pride in her craft, and pride in keeping her clients safe and happy. We ended the session talking about our personal lives, and I came home with an arm wrapped in second skin and a few pride stickers that Jaimee was kind enough to give me as a gift.

my new tattoo - mostly healed

I cannot recommend Jaimee more as an artist, especially for a first tattoo. You will not find such professionalism and care anywhere else. A beacon of hope for the queer community, I truly wish Jaimee all the success with her plans to create even bigger safe spaces for the queer community. As a queer person, it touches my heart knowing people like Jaimee exist. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her, and Soulstice Ink.