Vicki Dunn’s artistic journey is a tapestry woven from a family of natural illustrators and a formal education at the Art Institute of Boston, where she graduated with a Fine Art and Illustration degree. Over the past 25 years, she has explored diverse artistic landscapes, from corporate design to editorial illustration and textile print design. Vicki’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to steer her own illustration company, offering a range of personal commissions, from portraits to murals.
Photography by Vicki Dunn ©
Over the past 25 years, she has explored diverse artistic landscapes, from corporate design to editorial illustration and textile print design.
Vicki Dunn – The Journey
Vicki Dunn’s artistic journey is a tapestry woven from a family of natural illustrators and a formal education at the Art Institute of Boston, where she graduated with a Fine Art and Illustration degree. Over the past 25 years, she has explored diverse artistic landscapes, from corporate design to editorial illustration and textile print design. Vicki’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to steer her own illustration company, offering a range of personal commissions, from portraits to murals.
Under the guidance of the accomplished tattoo artist Kevin Shattuck, owner of Iconic Ink in Millbury, Massachusetts, Vicki has had the privilege to learn and grow. Her aspiration is not just to be a tattoo artist but to be an artist who give people a new vision of their body and confidence. Her goal is to inspire others with her unique journey and hope it trickles into the lives of everyone she works with and on.
Design
As an illustrator, Vicki has dedicated years to bringing stories to life through vibrant and dynamic designs. Today, she channels that same passion into tattooing, creating personalised and meaningful works that people carry with them forever. Her journey began in traditional illustration, where she perfected her technical skills. These fundamentals now impact her tattoo work, enabling her to craft intricate designs that look beautiful and tell a unique story about the individual who wears them.
Whether it’s a bold black-and-grey piece, a delicate linework tattoo, or a colourful custom creation, Vicki’s approach is not just about creating art, but about collaborating with clients to transform their visions into permanent works of art. She draws deep inspiration from nature and personal narratives, blending these elements into designs that resonate on an emotional level and reflect the unique stories of each individual.
Vicki Dunn – Inspiration
What inspired you to transition from illustration to tattooing, and how has your background in art influenced your tattoo work?
Kevin Shattuck actually recruited me. I worked under him at a corporation; one day, in the elevator, he said he was leaving to become a tattoo artist. He was on the management team and was always clean cut and buttoned up. I didn’t even know he had tattoos! I have to admit, I thought he was crazy! I said good luck! That was about ten years ago, maybe more. Then, every spring, he would text me…” I’m opening my own shop, you’d be great at this; would you like to come down and check it out? I’ll train you. Think about it!”
For at least 8 years I rejected the idea. I had young kids, lived in town, I had a corporate job…I wasn’t keen on dealing with skin and blood. Nothing about it sounded like something that would be a good career move.
Vicki Dunn – Work Life Balance
In 2017 I started to get really overwhelmed with my senior design job, lots of stress, awful work life balance, I was missing my family and time with my young kids. I was beginning to feel sick, weird chest pains, stress, breathlessness, etc, so I quit and went down to contracting and illustrating again. I gave up everything for peace and more time with my family. Two weeks later, after giving up the corporate bonus, salary, long-term care, insurance! I found out I had stage 3 triple negative breast cancer. I was SCREWED! I couldn’t work for about 8 months during treatment. I became very comfortable with death at that point. I can say… once you are comfortable with your own non-existence, life becomes very simple.
I got through it! Still working from home, covid came and went, then, like clockwork, I got a call in 2022 from Kevin, in the springtime. “Are you sure you don’t want to check out becoming a tattoo artist?? It’s so much fun, and I’m hiring! This is the last time I’ll bug you, I promise.” So, I said okay… I’ll check it out.
I went down, walked in, watched him for about five minutes, and became totally and unswervingly obsessed. What was supposed to be a little side gig for fun, has become my entire world. Thank you, Kevin Shattuck, you official struck my artistic cord!
Vicki Dunn – Instagram
Can you share your creative process when designing a tattoo? How do you ensure each piece is unique to the client?
Most of the time clients will send me ideas in pictures and words. I will always use all the inspiration to create something just for that client. If the tattoo is small enough I can design from home and through text communication, but I always love having the clients in to meet them, draw on them and make them feel more comfortable with the process. I will draw out the large ones directly in the client in washable kid marker, trace it on transparent plastic, and then do an overlay in Procreate to work out the finer details. If I can, I really like to meet people first and check the skin to see if there are any issues with the area of the body they are looking to put the artwork.
I have steered people away from some things. Younger people who are getting their first tattoos I lead towards a less prominent position and remind them that they will have interviews, weddings, etc. that they may not want a front and centre tattoo glaring at everyone. I try to get my clients to think of all scenarios and be comfortable with all possible outcomes.
What are some of the most memorable tattoos you’ve created, and what stories do they hold for the clients?
Most certainly are the cancer tattoos; those always hit home for me, and sometimes, people are in my chair for hours, depending on the tattoo’s size. I have heard so many amazing things and shared my stories them with them as well. It is a reciprocal therapy we all get. I have found that the physical “pain” of the tattoo almost echoes the emotional pain, and it’s like a right of passage to the other side of the pain, both in the physical sense and the emotional journey.
How do you approach collaborating with clients who may have a general idea but need help refining their vision?
I reassure them that I understand what they are saying and trying to convey. I show them tattoos I have done where the inspiration was just words or random ideas, and where we took it. And I love giving them homework! Sometimes, they want something to signify grandchildren, kids, or a person they want to remember; I have them send me five words describing the person and their favourite colour or song. I have searched the internet for images, not just tattoos, but paintings, logos, videos, songs. Anything and everything I can use, sort of like intellectual ingredients, then I make the soup!
What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
The biggest challenge I have right now is balancing my non-working time. I barely have any; I’m always thinking, pinning, searching, posting, watching, learning, and researching. I haven’t overcome that…, and at 51 years old, I think I’ve concluded that I never will. That is how I do things and I can’t seem to change. The best entrepreneurs in any business or pursuit…never stop. Plus, I love it. I recently have been reading a book called “Total Focus” written by Brandon Webb, a former Navy Seal sniper. That has NOT helped me slow down. It has only inspired me to be the best. Excellent read recommended by my amazing brother, John Lawrence, Creative Director and someone I always listen to.
Who are your biggest influences in the tattoo world, and how have they shaped your style?
Deanna James is one in particular. At one point in time, I decided to go down and learn one-on-one from her. She was such a beautiful person and so sweet. She reviewed my portfolio. She is a painter and a tattoo artist who spends her time educating. There can be a lot of gatekeeping in tattooing. When you find a tattoo artist who shares secrets, tips and advice and really helps you grow, that is a true artist secure in her own abilities. Look her up; she’s incredible.
Trends
How do you stay updated with the latest trends and techniques in tattooing?
Constant and relentless research, going to conventions, shows, symposiums, and artist collaborations. So much is happening so fast in tattooing, and it’s going at breakneck speed. And I’m on the older side (sorry…mature side??) of life. I’m just trying to catch up, keep up and maybe rise up. I have ten good years to get really good fast! Changing careers at 50 years old comes with its own challenges, physically it’s fairly grueling.
What role does colour play in your tattoo designs, and how do you choose the right palette for each piece?
I initially thought I would be a black and grey artist. I’ve always been challenged by colour. Early in my print and pattern illustration career, I had to get out of my “pencil portraits” phase of just wanting to do black and white to do significant colour designs with great palettes. I had no idea what I was doing. Much like overcoming the fear of public speaking, I had to get comfortable with colour.
When I started tattooing, I was so afraid to even think about colour, but my first client came in when I was an apprentice; I thought we were doing a little black and grey cartoon, but he said we’re doing full colour, right? I said of course! I almost passed out right there. So, I had to figure it out quickly and pretend I was super cool and knew what I was doing. Turns out I did! But I did panic…I won’t lie.
Now, I look at mostly the old masters, Monet, Rembrandt, and some contemporary artists. I love Alphonse Mucha and his subtle colour palettes. With tattoos, I like to keep them bright, as bright as I can, because, in a few years, they will mute down quite a bit. I think about longevity on the skin a lot. Brighter is better, in my opinion.
Can you describe a particularly challenging tattoo you’ve completed and what made it so special?
I am still working on it! Lol. The big ones are challenging in the sense that they take long-term dedication, and you have to work on them in stages. However, when you finish, it is something special.
However, fine-line ones are particularly challenging, and I find myself not breathing much of the time. You have to be precise and absolutely flawless because there NO room for error. There is almost always a touch up session to maintain the delicacy of the fine line. Those are special because the small ones are usually on people who would not typically be tattoo clients; they are usually someone who has lost someone or have gone through a challenging time. Those are special for that reason.
Advice
What advice would you give aspiring tattoo artists looking to make a mark in the industry?
Be relentless, take advice only from people you want to emulate and that you respect, and you find their work exceptional. There is an amazing interview by David Bowe that I think every artist should see. He talks about…never playing to the gallery. “if you feel safe in the area you are working in, you’re not working in the right area…always go a little further into the water than you feel you are capable of being in…go a little bit out of your depth…and when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching to bottom…you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.” David Bowe (never play to the gallery) excellent interview.
I fought being an artist for a number of years, I wanted to be a financial genius, but I could draw, I did not go back to art school until my frontal lobe kicked in around 25 yrs old. I was at my brother’s wedding, and my Uncle Bob said, “Vicki, figure out what you are good at, then make money doing it.” I had had a few drinks by then and was like…thanks a lot, Uncle Bob. GREAT advissssssss,…but when I woke up Monday morning, heading to my financial job…that day, I quit and enrolled in art school. So, my advice is, make sure you are doing what you love to do…the money will come. As my dad used to say…” little girl… don’t’ worry about money; more money can always be made.” My dad was the greatest. And that little tidbit gets me through tough times. thanks Ace Man.
Balance
How do you balance your work as a tattoo artist with your background in illustration?
Oh, it’s the absolute perfect balance. The background of constantly working with clients who knew exactly what they wanted, in whatever style they were looking for, gave me the ability to learn how to draw something in almost any style. This was a complete contradiction to what I was taught in college. They said to find a niche and not have a scattered portfolio. Well, my friends, I never liked to follow the rules much, I tried! But my portfolio is all over the place. And that’s what I love about it. I could give you a realistic portrait, a Picasso-esc sloth, a murderous cartoon mouse, or a whimsical flower. Just give me an idea, and now, after decades of trying literally everything (and I literally never use the word literally), I can give you almost anything you want. Sorry, Professor Goldstein, I know you said find a style…but that’s not my style I guess.
What common misconceptions about tattoo artists and the tattooing process would you like to address?
I think it is rapidly changing… which is good, and to tell the honest truth, I was a victim of the misconceptions for all the years Kevin kept trying to convince me it was a good move. I had preconceived notions; I grew up in Medway, MA, for God’s sake. A small town, it was illegal in Massachusetts until 2001, it was always underground. It’s not like that anymore; I think that stigma is fading.
The other thing is I think people might be curious why tattoos cost so much. Supplies, rent, training, licenses, insurance, and physical abuse the body takes as a tattoo artist. It is gruelling work. I can tell that my neck, back, and hands will struggle later in life. But, it’s mostly the cost of running a shop that makes the costs so high. “Cheap tattoos aren’t good and good tattoos aren’t cheap!”
How do you ensure your clients a safe and hygienic environment during the tattooing process?
“Cheap tattoos aren’t good and good tattoos aren’t cheap!”.
– Vicki Dunn
We go through a rigorous apprenticeship. 2400 hours of unpaid training in the shop with all the equipment before you ever touch the skin. CPR, Anatomy and Bloodborne pathogen training, all of which need to be updated every year and relicensed. I am meticulous about cleanliness, and all of us in the shop are highly vigilant. We use only the most reputable inks and equipment and all of us are always researching best practices. I look at compliance and I see such professionalism in our shop.
In your opinion, what makes a tattoo truly meaningful for the individual wearing it?
My clients love that it is a collaboration. I take their ideas and I run my ideas by them. They make the ultimate decision and wear it with so much pride. And most of the time it is a piece dedicated to loved ones, lost ones or a personal struggle that they overcame. It’s a moment in time, even after years of having it. I have one that now looks like mould on my body; it’s so faded and spread out. But, I don’t cover it…for two reasons: one, so I can show my clients what can and will happen if you don’t take care of it and wear sunscreen, and two, because my mom went with me to New Hampshire in 1991 when it was illegal in Massachusetts and got one with me. It was a moment I wouldn’t cover. She took care of hers and it still looks great at 81 years young!
The Future
What future projects or collaborations are you excited about, and what can your fans look forward to?
I have some full-flower sleeves and animal tattoos coming up soon. I’ll be doing one in a three-day session at the New England Tattoo Convention at Mohegan Sun in April. That will be a fun one. If I have the confidence, I might enter it in one of the weekends competitions. But the competition is stiff!
Contact Vicki – Website
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