A full history of the owner, Steve Hockley

My interest in tattooing started in the late 70s when I was in the Royal Navy getting my own tattoos from all around the world. In 1982 I moved back to my home town, Clacton on Sea, where I met a bloke named John Capon who had just opened up a tattoo shop there. I had a few tattoos done by him and was tempted into getting into tattooing myself. The opportunity of an apprenticeship was exactly what John offered me with him to see if I had what it took to become a tattoo artist.Being an apprentice was a very daunting experience but from day one I just knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. John taught me the basics not only of tattooing but also customer service, which was very important. These were very enjoyable years tattooing holiday makers and seeing their tattoos from other tattoo artists, which at the time was only a few and the names were reputable.John then sold his shop in Clacton to Dave Ross, probably one of the best tattoo artists at that time. In 1986 another opportunity arrived, Dave Ross offered me the chance to buy his shop in Ipswich, which I of course accepted, and have remained here ever since.

  Over the years things have changed in the tattoo industry, with all the health regulations which I have embraced wholeheartedly and of the new and better tattoo equipment, especially the inks, which have changed so much over the years to become as safe as they are today.I have run my shop for 25 years now and tattooing has become popular than ever. I hold the improvements in the health and safety and the popularisation by high profile celebrities responsible for the increase. When I started there was so much taboo towards tattooing in general. The shops were all in back street corners hidden away, whereas now they are on high streets for the general public to walk into and take a look around to browse and ask any questions in the friendly atmosphere of most tattoo shops, especially mine.I owe so much to John Capon and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for being my mentor. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be where I am today. John is still tattooing and has a studio called Art Attack Studio's in Great Yarmouth.