Canterbury sketchbook

Press, 1 April 1989, Page 22

Canterbury sketchbook

Situated on the corner of Lincoln Road and Dickens Street is the Dig A Tattoo studio.

The spacing of the lettering on the verandah would suggest a different name. I called twice for an interview only to find the shop closed and the telephone number blacked out. I wanted to ask if the sign writer and the tattooist were one and the same.

Anyone who has the confidence to use human flesh as a canvas has to be admired. As I’m New Zealand’s worst sign-writer (I once mis-spelled both Jaycees and Geraldine on the same poster starting a new organisation at an unheard of location), I could imagine any number of disasters.

“Oops, sorry about this, but you’ll have to forget Denise. You’ve just pledged your undying love to Dennis!” While I was drawing the accompanying sketch I was joined by two potential customers for Dig A Tattoo. Sharon, who had a butterfly on her left shoulder, and Gail, who confessed she was unmarked as yet.

I liked Sharon’s butterfly, which was designed in the art nouveau style. She had it done in New Brighton, and even after seven years the colour was still good.

Looking through the window the designs at Dig A Tattoo

seemed to be more macho than decorative.

I expressed surprise that Sharon considered allowing a mixture 'of art styles on her body. But she assured me that a good tattooist could work in any

requested style. “The pain,” said Sharon, “was free.” Dig A Tattoo is worth a visit, even if its just to see the design on the front window which is classic deep south. PETER McLAUCHLAN