The artist behind the name Venus Flytrap is Charlotte, a tattooist with some fifteen years experience.Charlotte came into tattooing from an artistic background - having worked in theatre costume, clothing design,and as the graphic designer for an alternative printing press among many other things!
She opened her first 'Venus Flytrap Tattoo' studio in Edinburgh in May 1994 - where the emphasis was very much on custom work, drawing up indidvidual designs for each customer. At this time Charlotte also spent a few weeks working with Bugs at 'Evil from the Needle' in London.
After 4 years she was gripped by a desire to get out and see a bit of the world, sold the studio to another tattoo artist and moved to Amsterdam,Holland.
Whilst in Amsterdam, Charlotte teamed up with Mono, a Dutch tattooist, and together they opened 'Elektra Tattoo', a custom-only studio in Amsterdams picturesque Jordaan district.
A year later, Charlotte moved on again, this time to Maastricht (on the Dutch/Belgian border) to work in a friends studio. In this studio she got to try her hand at 'street-shop' tattooing - working from pre-drawn 'flash' designs as well as still producing her own style of custom work.
After four years living and working in Holland it was time to return to the UK - and after a couple of years spent working in various other studios Charlotte finally returned home to Edinburgh.
In January 2004 she opened the doors on a brand new Venus Flytrap Tattoo - this time right in the heart of the Old Town in central Edinburgh. Once more the emphasis is on drawing up individual designs for each customer - only this time Charlotte is mainly producing work in her own distinctive style, combining elements of traditional Japanese tattooing with a multitude of other artistic styles including Manga, Thai art, Hispanic art, and Art Deco. She never stops trying to push herself artistically - drawing and painting constantly, and an obsession with flowers has also become evident!
Charlotte has also been joined in the studio by Cal - another experienced tattooist whose style centres more around comic-book art.
If you are interested in getting a 'Venus Flytrap' tattoo, or simply want to find out more - just call the studio on + 44 (0) 131 220 4971.
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