Who will win: The search is on for Toowoomba’s best tattoo artist

Girls on the guns: Female tattoo artists might be few and far between in Toowoomba, but what they lack in numbers they make up for in raw talent.

THE SEARCH IS ON: One12 Tattoo Toowoomba artist Mellisah Johns encourages people to vote in The Chronicle's 2021 search for Toowoomba’s best tattoo artist, with voting closing this Thursday, August 26 at 8am. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Tattoos and the art of creating them are certainly not for the faint-hearted or the thin-skinned.

Toowoomba tattoo artist, Mellisah Johns (a.k.a. Miss Stitch) had to learn that the hard way as one of the region’s few female tattoo apprentices.

One12 Tattoo Toowoomba artist Mellisah Johns. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“Toowoomba is only home to three qualified female tattoo artists, compared to 15 men, so we’re definitely still a minority,” she said

“But female artists have also come a long way in just a few short years.”

Ms Johns has gone from strength to strength since completing her apprenticeship at White Lion Tattoo and has a two-month wait list at One12tattoo.

“I was very fortunate to be able to learn under Kym Hammond who has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry,” she said.

One12 Tattoo artist Mellisah Johns said female tattoo artists were still a minority in Toowoomba, but the girls had come a long way in the tattoo industry over the last several years. Picture: Kevin Farmer

When it comes to taking home Toowoomba’s tattooist crown, Ms Johns said it was anyone’s game.

“Man or woman, the winner should be the artist who connected with their client, left the best impression and created the best work.”

Cast your vote for the city’s best tattoo artist here, but hurry – voting closes Thursday, August 26 at 8am.