Humpty Doo local Mailey Grose voted Northern Territory’s best tattoo artist 2024

The votes are in and 27-year-old Mailey from Humpty Doo has been named the Northern Territory’s best tattoo artist.

Mailey Grose has been named the NT's best tattoo artist

Born and raised Territorian Mailey Grose first began her apprenticeship three and half years ago at Tattoo Territory, under the guidance of Courtney Irlam.

Now she has been voted NT’s best.

“I’d like to give a special mention to Courtney, for giving me the opportunity to start a tattoo apprenticeship, she took me on without any hesitation,” Ms Grose said.

“I wouldn’t have been able to have an opportunity like this if she hadn’t given me a go. She took a bit of a gamble and took on three apprentices at once, when usually the shop only has one.”

The now 27-year-old was signed off on her apprenticeship at Tattoo Territory within a year and a half, which she says is pretty quick for a tattoo apprenticeship.

“It was equally terrifying and exciting.”

Ms Grose says she keeps so busy because she just loves to take on any style, and finds it fun to work in different areas of tattooing.

“When you get to try something really different that you haven’t done before, it’s always nerve-wracking …. But at the same time, if you’re nervous it means you care,” she said.

Though the numbers of tattooists that have passed through Tattoo Territory have fluctuated Ms Grose says the crew that has been there ‘through the whole thing’ are a pretty tight family.

“Honestly, it just feels like my second home.”

Ms Grose says for anyone wanting to take on a tattoo apprenticeship you need to be ready to commit.

“You have to be dedicated because it is an ‘at work, and out of work’ job,” she said.

“Your passion has to be there.”

Ms Grose currently fills a guest spot in Alice Springs, tattooing out of Beneath the Machine and says she would love to continue networking and travelling through her job.

“It’s unreal to meet so many other tattooists and see stuff that you’ve never seen before and draw inspiration from them.”