Iris Hamer

Drawing has always been a big part of my life. In school, I was usually sketching in the margins instead of focusing on my homework. After graduating, I started teacher training because I thought I wanted to become a primary school teacher. But tattoos had always fascinated me, especially getting them myself. When my tattoo artist saw my drawings and asked why I wasn’t doing something with that talent, it really made me think. Two days later, I had quit my studies and was standing in the tattoo shop with my sketchbook under my arm as a new apprentice.

Realism immediately felt like the right fit. I had always drawn faces and animals, so specializing in detailed portrait work came naturally. I now love working on larger, detailed projects where we can really take the time. Human and animal portraits are my favorite. Every expression, every shadow, every tiny detail matters.

For me, it’s not just about the final result, but also about the experience. I want you to feel safe, heard, and to walk out feeling genuinely proud of what you’re wearing.