Ink Master Finalist Katie McGowan’s Tattoo Shop Love Spell Tattoo Will Have You Under Its Spell As It Strives To Break Tattoo Shop Stereotypes
By Sidra Lackey
Katie McGowan, a tattoo artist who was a finalist on the popular tattoo competition show, Ink Master for two seasons (6 & 9, plus also competed in season 14) opened tattoo shop Love Spell Tattoo in the SoMa (Southside Main Street) district of Little Rock, Arkansas last year.
McGowan and Love Spell Tattoo co-owner Jesse Perez, were recently interviewed by host Nichole Niemann in a segment of Arkansas Style for KARK-TV, on what makes their shop so different from other tattoo shops. McGowan explained simply, “The vibe of our shop is definitely really important to us, just as important as the quality of the tattoos coming out of our shop.”
Niemann remarked to McGowan: “I have such an appreciation for the artistry that goes into your work. When I think of tattoos, this is how simple minded I am: I think, “I love Mom” or “Popeye.” What you guys do is for real art. Katie, how do you do it?” McGowan replied, “My favorite way of handling a tattoo: somebody brings me an idea and maybe some reference photos and then they trust me to do my thing. Usually I like to tattoo flowers, mandalas, lady faces, stuff like that. Somebody will throw a concept at me and I’m like, okay. So the trust needs to be there. That's how I do my best job.”
Perez said of how he handles the initial tattooing process, “I like when a client comes in and tells me a rough idea and gives me 100% creative freedom to draw something custom up for them. Something I feel I could do very well and show off my strong points.” McGowan continued saying, “We usually have a drawing ready for them when they get there for the tattoo appointment. We show it to them and we just do the tattoo.”
Niemann asked each tattoo artist to describe their tattoo style. Perez commented, “Mine is black and grey, black and grey realism, portraits, realistic animals, flowers, anything black and grey we can make look realistic. It’s usually what I’m drawn to.” McGowan on the other hand answered, “He and I are polar opposites when it comes to style. I love bold, colorful tattoos. I do a lot of traditional inspired imagery. Anything that’s got like a fun color palette and that’s illustrative with bold outlines, that's my jam.”
The host referenced the cobra tattoo joke from comedian Sebastian Maniscalco’s Tattoos (What's Wrong With People?) where he jokes a tattoo is, “Never done. They always gotta go back, get shading.” Niemann said, “When I think of tattoos, I think of the Sebastian Maniscalco joke: 'Everybody that gets a tattoo they’re like, oh but it’s not done!’ ” McGowan and Perez laughed in agreement and Niemann seriously asked them, “How much time does it take to invest in getting a tattoo?” Perez answered, “It depends on the piece, the size of the project. I usually do a pretty big project everyday. I like to knock them out in one session. For the style tattoo I do it’s usually best to finish it all in one.” McGowan turned to Perez and asked, “If you’re doing a full sleeve how many sessions does that take?” Perez replied, “A full sleeve takes anywhere from 4 to 6 full sessions depending on the arm, complexity and the ideas, and all the details that go into it. There's days I’ll sit there and tattoo anywhere from 8 to 12 hours working on a piece.” McGowan remarked, “That's a long tattoo, that's a lot of pain!” The interviewer is shocked, saying, “Wow! That’s a lot of patience on your part too.”
Niemann asked the two tattoo artists about the other tattoo artists who are resident and guest artists of Love Spell Tattoo. McGowan shared, “We offer a variety of styles from our resident artists to the guest artists so anything you want: traditional, black and grey, realistic, neo traditional, illustrative, new school - somebody can do that at our shop.” Perez pointed out Love Spell very recently had talented tattoo artist Blake Owens, from Nashville, guest spot at their tattoo shop. And McGowan added Love Spell is, “aiming to have a new guest artist, one or two each month for the next few months, to bring more people into Little Rock from different states.” She also revealed, “someone from the UK” would be guest spotting in February that she is excited about.
KARK-TV Arkansas Style host Nichole Niemann wrapped up the interview with Love Spell Tattoo owners telling Katie McGowan and Jesse Perez, “Your reputation precedes you. The two of you and what you’re doing, you’re great leaders in this industry.” She also praised Love Spell Tattoo for, “shattering whatever tattoo shop stereotypes” someone would have in their mind because of Love Spell Tattoo’s, “warm and welcoming creative space.” Niemann complimented Love Spell Tattoo’s Instagram as being, “gorgeous.” McGowan told her to call for an appointment because she’d love to tattoo the host. Niemann laughed and said her kids are watching, but her producer said she would be right over to get tattooed.