A tattoo artist is gearing up for celebrations after his studio was topped finest within the county.
Louie Mariano’s Ink Warrior studio, on New Street in Spalding, was named the Finest Tattoo Artists 2021 for the county by the Midlands Enterprise Awards final week.
Mr Mariano (41), who has been tattooing in Spalding since 2005, was delighted on the information.
He stated: “It was just a little little bit of a shock to be trustworthy, however I’m so proud of the consequence. I didn’t even know I used to be nominated!”
Mr Mariano, who additionally lives within the city, works alongside his two resident artists at Ink Warrior, which first opened again in 2017.
With plans to have fun the studio’s three-year anniversary curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic final 12 months, Mr Mariano is trying ahead to blowing off some steam in honour of the award.
“I feel we’re going to be given a wall plaque for the award, and it might be good to perform a little celebration,” he stated.
“I wish to do two issues. I wish to do a weekend occasion the place we invite folks to return in and have just a few drinks on the Saturday, after which on the Sunday have what we name a flash day.
“We’ll do little designs for folks, no dearer than £50, one thing that we will do in 5 or ten minutes. I’d just like the proceeds to go to a good friend who helps with psychological well being in Spalding.
“This implies we will have fun the award and assist out a neighborhood charity as nicely.”
Profitable the grand prize hasn’t altered the artist’s ambitions within the city. He hopes to proceed engaged on his designs for years to return – in the meanwhile, his favourites are hyper-realistic tattoos of faces or animals.
“I’m right here for the long run. We actually wish to set up ourselves as a lot as we will, and make ourselves a beacon for good tattooing in Lincolnshire,” he stated.
“We’re tremendous energetic and we attempt for good customer support. For any shopper that is available in, it’s not simply the tattoos. It’s the entire ambiance.
“Me and the workforce are at all times pleasant, at all times up for just a little little bit of banter. Cups of tea and occasional are at all times flying.
“Individuals have a tendency to essentially benefit from the expertise.”
