Hi, welcome to Kiwi’s Tattoo Service. I’m Kiwi (duh) but some of you may know me as Jordan. Either name works for me, whichever you’re the most comfortable with. I’m a tattoo apprentice at Studio Mina in Vancouver, BC.

Before starting my apprenticeship, I’d always been drawn to art and being creative. I distinctly remember taking numerous art classes on the weekends growing up, drawing in my room, and always choosing art over the academic courses in high school. After high school, I went on to get my associate certificate in graphic design from BCIT, followed by my Bachelor’s of Design from the Wilson School of Design at KPU. Shortly after graduating, I was working full-time as a junior graphic designer. 

I was initially drawn to the potential to become a tattoo artist after watching a TikTok of an artist breaking down where she’d purchased her machine, inks, and other tattoo products. This got me to really think about my career path and whether I wanted to remain in the graphic design space forever. I used to believe that I’d be like my parents’ generation, with one main career, but quickly realized that I wanted the change. This led me down my own rabbit hole of researching tattoo machines and all the supplies needed to start learning. I followed tattoo artists on TikTok and Instagram whose style I admired, researched the Bloodborne Pathogens certificate and everything necessary to start. From there, I bought my first machine in December 2023, along with a bunch of starter supplies.

Fast forward to April 2024, my whole world felt like it was flipped upside down when the company I’d been with since graduating from university let me go. Through the hard emotions, there was a spark of a silver lining that maybe this would be my opportunity to pursue tattooing full-time. I’m so grateful to Mina (@mina.inked) for taking me under her wing as an apprentice, sharing her years worth of expertise and being so supportive as I find my style and place in the Vancouver tattoo industry. Thanks to Mina, my family and friends, I was able to turn this hard time into something rather bittersweet. A new beginning instead of just an ending.

I thrive off of the learning curve of tattooing and am constantly fuelled by seeing my skills improve with every piece. I’m constantly grateful for everyone who’s decided they want a piece of my art permanently tattooed on themselves, as well as the connections I’ve been able to make through this. I still have so much to learn with tattooing, and although it can be hard, I’ve been enjoying every moment of it. My style is still in development, and until I’ve decided to lock into one style, I’m enjoying experimenting with all kinds of tattoo styles. 

If you’re still reading, thank you for taking the time to hear about my journey. I hope to see you along the way and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support <3