Former Collegiate student able to live his passion for tattoos

Emma Russell continues her series charting the stories of former Whanganui students who have gone on to success in the big, wide world

"A love of the art and people" - words former Whanganui Collegiate student used to describe his passion for tattooing.

Seven years ago Scott Waters left secondary school with no idea what he wanted to do next.

Today he is exactly where he wants to be, opening his very own tattoo studio on Main St, Palmerston North.

Former Whanganui student, Scott Waters, opens his new tattoo studio in Main Street Palmerston North.

A few years ago the 24-year-old discovered the art of tattooing and never looked back.

Scott said he started out pursuing IT at Ucol but soon realised he hated it.

"I started getting tattooed and just got exposed to the culture and the art... getting into the art it just blew me away and I thought this is something I'd quite like to do."

He said he threw himself into the culture and was fortunate enough to land an apprenticeship in town.

"I had a year of managerial work, doing everything and learning everything that was required to run a tattoo shop and then started learning to tattoo."

This month Scott went into business with his friend, James Bishop, and on Wednesday the pair had their official opening.

Co-owners of Bishop and Waters Main Street Tattoo, James Bishop (left) and Scott Waters (right) fizzing for the opening. Photo/ Emma Russell

"What we are trying to do here is just try to create a really creative space that James and I can just grow and develop as artists...we want it to be as friendly and inviting as possible," Scott said.

So have tattoos become more accepted in society or do old stereotypes still exist?

Scott said there had been a couple of incidents where he'd been walking through the supermarket and a little old lady had grabbed her purse out of the trolley but overall he receives little judgment.

"I certainly don't think it's the tattoo anymore, it's more attitude that you exude than the tattoos you wear that's important.

"I think it's pretty clear to see that old judgment and stigma still exists but I look at the people that come into our shop and there's no stereotypes anymore, it has really just exploded."

James Bishop's leg with his latest tattoo designed and applied by friend and co-owner Scott Waters. Photo/ Emma Russell

For many of Scott's clients tattoos represent a memory.

"I've tattooed any story you can imagine...people fighting cancer, people who have lost a child, a parent, a friend...sadly we do a lot of memorial tattoos and it's always something I take a fair amount of pride in."

And then there's the tourists.

"I had one German guy who didn't speak any English at all and just said 'wow' to everything and all his friends gave him a bit of cheek for it and so he got 'wow' stamped to his bum."

For Scott, tattooing is about the art and the people.

"Being in a close working environment people are really open and honest and you do form special relationships which is pretty neat."