Introducing Jodie McConnell

This weeks interview is with the lovely Jodie McConnell who co-owns Yobori-Ink with her husband Andy, in Fife, Scotland.

The name of the shop comes from the word Yobori is a slang word in Japanese for tattooing done with a machine.

When we asked Jodie for a random fact she told us she used to work in the finance industry in Jersey Channel Islands (her birthplace) and also London before packing a case and heading up to Bonnie Scotland on her own.

A bold career move, we love it. 

So here’s what happened when we interviewed Jodie and of course, we had to show you some of her amazing inkings. Jodie advises her lucky number is 7 and shares 7 amazing pieces with us, which we are going to share throughout this post.

How did you get into tattooing?

I have always been arty, since School. It all started from drawing up pokemon using the cards as references and watching art attack a lot! Haha. And then continued into my teens and 20s, painting commissions for friends and family. I also loved getting tattoos but never joined the two together. So it wasn’t until I was in my early 20s, working the “real” job I was advised to get, that I cheekily asked my tattooist during an appointment if I could have a go one day!

He agreed to show me a few things to see if I liked tattooing, I loved it and never looked back! And I can’t have been too bad as he took me under his wing haha.

What is a typical day like in your studio?

A typical day is busy! Haha. We are a husband and wife team, and no day is ever the same! And we love it.

Usually, its a full day session 10 am till 6. And most likely than not its with our good regulars, the ones that bring us cakes, collectable gifts and just their awesome attitudes and laughter to our lives. We even have clients that are so at home they bring a pillow and eye mask for their cat nap whilst we chip away at their projects! 🙂

A typical day is full of hard work, laughter, good music, coffee and cake! It is our clients that make Yobori-Ink the awesome place it is to work in, and I love our home from home that we created for both artists and clients to enjoy, become friends and create a relaxing work area.

How would your colleagues describe you in 3 words?

Talented, Beautiful and Driven, haha husband brownie points there 😉

Nice one Andy!  

I actually don’t have just the one favourite that I’ve done. It’s way too hard to pick. My clients like to keep me busy and I’m forever evolving my work and styles.

The favourite tattoo on me would have to be the start to my sleeve, done by my Husband, Andy McConnell. I’ve spent years umming and erring on a sleeve, and finally, I settled on a style (geometry, mandala, stippling designs) that Andy is totally awesome at, and him doing it makes it even more special.

You guys are too cute.

One piece of advice to give someone looking to get into tattooing what would you say?

Don’t ever give up on your arty side! Even if you think you started in the wrong career, you’re never too old to change it up! Never stop learning and developing your skills, there is always room for improvement 🙂

And learn from many, not just one. Every artist is different, prefers different styles and methods, its not as simple as a wrong and right closed book. This is art after all. It’s in the eye of the beholder. 😉