Regional Victoria’s best tattoo artist competition results, winner announced
You voted, and now the results are in — regional Victoria’s best tattooist has been announced. Who was the most ink-credible one? See who took the crown.
Leader
Don't miss out on the headlines from Leader . Followed categories will be added to My News.
The results are in for regional Victoria's best tattoo artist competition.
We gave readers the opportunity to vote anonymously in polls, where they selected the artist they thought was worthy of the crown.
This round’s competition received almost 200 entries, showcasing talented tattoo artists all across country Victoria.
Each and every one of them has their own set of unique, special skills — but there can only be one winner.
So who was it?
See the finalists and winner below who received the highest amount of votes from the audience.
FINALISTS
MILEAH PHILLIPS: MATTOO STUDIO — WARRAGUL (67 VOTES)
Artist Mileah Phillips from Mattoo Studio in Warragul is a finalist in the competition.
Ms Phillips is known for her detailed tattoo designs such as flowers, animals, characters swords and many more.
KATEY FAHY: THE ABYSS — TRARALGON (72 VOTES)
Katey Fahy from The Abyss in Traralgon is a finalist in the competition.
Ms Fahy has her own Facebook page called Katey Fahy Tattoos & Art and used to work at Black Fox.
She later opened The Abyss studio in January 2023.
A review from one of Ms Fahy’s clients said she was so kind, her art was consistently amazing and they had an absolutely wonderful experience.
EVOLVED INK: GEELONG (82 VOTES)
The team from Evolved Ink in Geelong are also a finalist in the competition.
More than 10 tattoo artists work at the studio and all have their own creative designs they love to share with their clients.
3RD PLACE
JASON STEWART: SHINTO TATTOO GALLERY — GEELONG (85 VOTES)
Placing third in the competition is Shinto Tattoo Gallery owner Jason Stewart from Geelong.
Mr Stewart has been a tattoo artist for more than 20 years, and has worked overseas in the US, Canada and Europe.
He is also no stranger to the paper, as he appeared on page 7 of the Geelong Advertiser back in August 2021 and online after he was voted as Geelong’s number one tattoo artist.
Mr Stewart is also on Instagram under the username of “jasonstewarttattoos”.
2ND PLACE
ALICIA JOHNSON: TWIN CITY TATTOO & BODY PIERCING — WODONGA (86 VOTES)
Fourth year senior tattoo apprentice and body piercer Alicia Johnson from Twin City Tattoo & Body Piercing in Wodonga received the second highest amount of votes from the audience, making her runner up.
Ms Johnson specialises in dotwork, bold full colour, fineline and is expanding her knowledge in black and grey realism.
Her bio on the studio’s website says she takes the time to listen intently to her clients’ stories and their ideas, allowing Ms Johnson to create sentimental designs passionately.
“Alicia loves a challenge and prides herself in being able to bring even the most challenging ideas to life,” her bio read.
“Hand drawn with love, creating one-off pieces of art for clients.”
1ST PLACE
LACHIE MARKS TATTOOING — BALLARAT (101 VOTES)
Tattooist Lachie Marks from Ballarat has won the competition, being named regional Victoria’s best tattoo artist having received the most votes from readers.
Mr Marks is on Facebook as “Lachie Marks Tattooing” with more than 15,000 followers and has more than 6000 followers on Instagram.
His clients have described his art as well-detailed, realistic, creative, powerful and can get an effective 3D look to tattoos.
Mr Marks’ social media followers support his work and love all the different designs he creates.
NEW SOUTH WALES WINNER
Just across the border, Diablo’s Laboratory Tattoo Studio in Howlong received the highest amount of votes for NSW. Congratulations!
OTHER TATTOOISTS WHO WERE NOMINATED/RECEIVED VOTES
There were many other tattoo artists nominated who also received a number of votes — see below who they were in no particular order.
ALBURY WODONGA REGION
— Courtney: Studio 15 Tattoo Parlour, Holbrook
— Matt Simpson: Mattoo Ink by Simo, Albury
— Brett Collins: Twin City Tattoo & Body Piercing, Wodonga
— Spencer Burns: Resurrection Art Collective, Albury/Wodonga
— Peter Lane: Resurrection Art Collective, Albury/Wodonga
— Greg Cook: Resurrection Art Collective, Albury/Wodonga
— Zac Sirianni: Resurrection Art Collective, Albury/Wodonga
BALLARAT REGION
— Eliza Rose Hammond: The Ballarat Tattoo Gallery, Ballarat
— Georgie Delaine: Inky George, Ballarat
— Dan Dingle: Broken Arrow Tattooing, Ballarat
— Luke Warren: Fonzy’s Tattooing, Ballarat
— Quinn Habicht: Velvet Alley Tattoo, Ballarat East
— Dave Andrews: The Inkspot Tattoo Studio, Bakery Hill
— Willy Tattoos: Velvet Alley Tattoo, Ballarat East
— Bridget Tunstall: Lovers Den, Buninyong
— Sherree Lionheart: Golden Maple Tattoo Studio, Ballarat
— Dave Border: Golden Maple Tattoo Studio, Ballarat
— Luke Wright: Broken Arrow Tattooing, Ballarat
— Richie Blackheart: Broken Arrow Tattooing, Ballarat
— Jamie Lee: Jamie Lee Tattoos, Delacombe
— Erin Jade: Atomic Blonde Tattoo, Cardigan
— Randi Canik: Left Hand Lucky Tattoo, Ballarat
— Josh Ruddick: Broken Arrow Tattooing, Ballarat
— Edward Price: Left Hand Lucky Tattoo, Ballarat
— Jessica Ireland: The Basement Tattoo Collective, Ballarat
GIPPSLAND & BASS COAST REGION
— Jack Montgomery: Phillip Island Tattoo, Phillip Island
— Pete Morris: The infamous Cyco City Tattoo, Paynesville
— Brad Slade: Scorpion Ink, Traralgon
— Shannon Mason: Haven Tattoo Studio, Trafalgar
— Matthew Backman: Next Generation Tattoos, Koo Wee Rup
— Dave McAleese: Heaps Good Tattoo, Korumburra
— Jessica Gillespie: Black Fox Tattoo Studio, Traralgon
— Jc Hampstead: Dead4Eva Tattooing, Phillip Island
— Shane Keane: Hard Luck Tattoo Co. Newborough
— Aaron Norton: Static Ink, Traralgon
— Ben: Infinity Ink, Longwarry
BENDIGO REGION
— Samara Belz: The Gallery Tattoo Studio, Bendigo
— AJ: Gotham Ink, Bendigo
— Tony Goodwin: Divine Tattoo Studio, Eaglehawk
— Leigh Andrea: King of Rings, Bendigo
— Damon Myers: The Gallery Tattoo Studio, Bendigo
— Charlotte Daniels: The Gallery Tattoo Studio, Bendigo
— Sarah Pearce: King of Rings, Bendigo
— Jarred Boland: Sailors Devil, Bendigo
— Storm Wall: Sailors Devil, Bendigo
— Mike Shaw: Sailors Devil, Bendigo
— Josh Eddy: Sailors Devil, Bendigo
— Corey Mcormond: The Black Lantern, Bendigo
— Shaun Van Looy: Silver Tongue, Bendigo
— Mark McClain: Mark McClain Tattoos, Maiden Gully
— Eyan Mansfield: SuckerPunch Tattoos, Kangaroo Flat
— Ruby Gloom: SuckerPunch Tattoos, Kangaroo Flat
— Mark Bretho Bretherton, Bendigo
— Dan Newman: Pagan Lore Tattoo, Bendigo
— Luke Peters: Black Canvas Tattoos, Bendigo
— Brooke Darling: Forest Creek Tattoo, Castlemaine
— Jade Webb: Forest Creek Tattoo, Castlemaine
— SLIM: SuckerPunch Tattoos, Kangaroo Flat
— Kayne Campbell: The Gallery Tattoo Studio, Bendigo
GOULBURN VALLEY REGION
— Jason Argaet: Exessive Art, Shepparton
— Hetha Simpson: Black Cat & Crow, Kyabram
— Nudge: Perfect Circle Tattooing, Shepparton
— Cristen Burner: Uncut Diamond, Shepparton
— Tyla Tasman: Enraptured Tattoos, Tatura
— Maia Bowald: E-Ville Tattoo, Echuca
— Madi Elliott: E-Ville Tattoo, Echuca
MILDURA/SUNRAYSIA REGION
— Jake Eves: Rogue City Tattoo, Mildura
— Shaun Fenn: Rogue City Tattoo, Mildura
— Eliesha Perry: In Katharsis, Mildura
— Lindsay Capobus: Capobustatto, Mildura
— Brodie Henderson: Henduko Tattoo, Merbein
SWAN HILL REGION
— Katrina: Soul Beauty Cosmetics Tattooing, Swan Hill
— The Violet Lantern Tattoo Co, Nyrraby
WARRNAMBOOL REGION
— Todd Jones: Southern Guns Tattoo, Warrnambool
— Rikianne Wilson: Eastern Tattoo and Piercing, Warrnambool
— Josh Vanandell: Granny’s Grave, Warrnambool
THANK YOU FOR YOUR NOMINATIONS & VOTES
Congratulations to all the finalists and winner of the competition.
How to plan the perfect baby photo shoot at home
You’ve had a baby, and quickly your phone storage is filling up with never-ending snaps and videos. But how do you make sure they’re actually good? Herald Sun photographer David Caird has all the tips.
Rejected Mt Evelyn Maccas site with fast food ambitions for sale
An indoor soccer centre in Melbourne’s east, initially destined to become a McDonald’s restaurant before the council held up a red card to developers, is on the market.