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New 'all-girl' tattoo studio aims to build community

Inspired by her mom, tattoo artist says she hopes to highlight the feminine, community
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From left, tattoo artists Brittany Watts, Danna Browne and Alx Tattunes each bring their own style to Ruby Tattoo Studio, which opens Nov. 15 at 304 Dunlop St. W., near Hwy. 400. Laurie Watt for BarrieToday

As she opens Ruby Tattoo Studio Nov. 15, Danna Browne will be making a bigger mark on Barrie.

The 26-year-old tattoo artist has been recording people’s loves, life moments and wishes in ink in Barrie for the past two years – the newest creative outlet for the Barrie woman who has been exploring painting and sculpture since she was a teen.

“The main reason I started doing this is because years ago, someone very close to me got cancer,” she said, recalling some of the magazines she would read while waiting during doctors’ visits and treatments.

“I connected with those who survived cancer and had mastectomies and it gave me the motivation to help in any way aesthetically. By working with the patient, we could create a tattoo that could help cover any scarring or replace missing features, such as a nipple.”

Tattoos seemed to be an art form that could help women heal and recover.

And she herself – a collector of tattoo designs since she was a child – got her first tattoo when she was 18. It memorialized her boyfriend who had passed away, yet it was the start of something new artistically.

Back when she was a teen and young adult, the tattoo industry wasn’t quite as mainstream, she added.

Today, however, not just bikers are getting tattoos. More and more people are looking to add some colour to their body. In downtown Barrie, several tattoo parlours attest to the rising demand for body art.

“Now in 2016, there are more people getting tattoos. Women get memorial tattoos for a loved one. You have parents getting tattoos (honouring) their children. There are a lot of dainty tattoos available,” Browne said.

In her years in the industry, she has found several like-minded artists. Together, they make up Ruby Tattoo Studio’s varied team – each with her own style but a shared commitment to empowering women and building community.

Alx Tattunes, for example, likes to take a drawing and adapt it to create a unique art piece for each client.

“You never draw the same thing,” the 27-year-old artist said. “The different parts of the body have a different flow. I like the challenge of the different shapes.”

Brittany Watts, 29, also enjoys custom work and the opportunity to work with each client to create something unique.

“I’m more New School, more bold and bright,” said the artist who has been drawing ever since she was a young teen, and has the distinction of getting suspended from school because she couldn’t stop drawing. “I’m trying to get into a little realism.”

Coming from a variety of tattoo parlours, the team has a love of all things feminine – flowers, fairies and feathers. They also live out their respect for Mother Nature.

“We have five talented lady artists on board and we’re trying to be as cruelty free as possible. We use as many vegan products as possible, with all of them being Canadian-made. It’s important we support local businesses,” said Browne.

“As well, we believe in giving back. Animal lovers that we are, we will be doing charity work for shelters and rescue groups. It’s important. We’re all girl. We’re putting a softer touch on an industry that can come across as a bit tough.”

“I want to clean up the idea of a tattoo studio,” Browne said, adding too often when one mentions “tattoo parlour”, the images that emerge are of grungy, cramped spaces that are male dominated.

So she and the several other artists she is teaming up with are opening a place where people – young or old, male or female – will feel comfortable and encouraged to express themselves.

“I keep my mom in mind. What atmosphere would I want to bring my mom into?  Would I want dragons, flames and grunge – or would I rather take her into a place that’s clean and spa-like.

“Each of us has her own different style,” she said, adding she’s worked with all of them, all of them having years of experience in the industry.

Ruby Tattoo Studio is located at 304 Dunlop St. W., near Hwy. 400, unit 5. To make an appointment, email [email protected] or send a message via facebook.com/rubytattoobarrie.