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 I couldn’t write about Joolz without first of all emphasizing the reality that her work as a tattooist is just one string to her full complement of creative skill and stylings; her career as a creator of words and arts is now nearly three decades in the making, and it has earned her a name, a reputation and countless prizes, respect from so many circles it has given her a unique fluidity and flexibility in her work; she can hold ground with academics and punks alike. Simply put, you just won’t find many other people like her. Intellectual punk icon, and you might be somewhere near a definition.
As a tattoo artist – and an artist who creates tattoos is most definitely what she is – Joolz Denby is pretty damned exceptional, helping to influence the world of tattooing trends long before she was tattooing herself. Her work as an artist for the legendary underground band New Model Army, for example, contributed to a taste for celtic designs, which led in many ways to the frenzied adoration of celtic tattooing and armbands far back in the seventies and eighties.
Her career with inking skin is as yet only a few years old, as she commenced in 2006 after a close friend delivered a final ‘push.’ We can’t imagine there are many other artists who’ll get requests for tattoos based on novels and poetry that they’ve written themselves.
Her tattoos betray a crafter whose first love is pencil and paper, strong lines and careful shading, gleefully free of any conventional genres or staid imagery. Joolz’ work is all of her own, perhaps with a touch of celtic here and there – just celtic like you’ve never seen it before. A look through her portfolio reveals work that is delicate, personal, intense and thoroughly gorgeous. Meticulously lined and curved tendrils, thick dot-work, stippling, hints of colour here and there – she’s got a catalogue of tattoos created that prove she’s something very, very different.
If you want a tattoo done by a lady who will hear your life story, work out your ink and imagery with you, design something full of meaning and rendered like a piece of art, Joolz is the lady to go to. You might want to quiz her on her opinions about being tattooed and a literary genius with a place in the academic circles, too – there are some interesting tales to hear, for certain.
CREDITS: Article – Rachel Kennedy Photos – Joolz Denby
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