NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE SOUTH SIMCOE METIS COUNCIL
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As more people are becoming aware of their ecological or “eco” footprint, Georgian Pines Tattoo Studio owner Sherilyn Edwards takes pride in being the first tattoo studio in Barrie to become eco-certified.
“A lot of people don’t realize a lot of the products tattoo studios use, like tattoo needles and razors, are single-use products. We can confidently say 95 per cent of the tattoo supplies we use are eco-friendly."
Georgian Pines Studios has Good Judy, an eco-friendly tattoo product supplier that specializes in producing compostable and biodegradable products to thank for that.
While most tattoo studios are making the switch from plastic to biodegradable products, Georgian Pines Studio had already been using eco-friendly products for two years.
By the time they had gone to register as eco-certified by ecotattooing.com, they had well surpassed the requirements.
As a Métis person who grew up on the shores of Georgian Bay around Midland and Penetanguishene, Edwards has always been inspired and motivated by nature, and cared about leaving a minimal impact on the Earth.
“Growing up on the bay, hiking, camping, being by the water, I think that has influenced my style of black and grey wildlife,” says Edwards.
Although a large part of her clientele are also Métis citizens from Midland and Penetanguishene, where she says the community has done a really good job of celebrating and sharing Métis culture, she doesn’t strictly do traditional Métis designs.
“It really depends on the project. We are cognizant of cultural appropriation, but when an Indigenous person does come into the studio and shares their heritage with me, it’s special.”
It’s this close connection with her clients that Edwards says sets her apart.
“I can’t believe when a client comes in and they tell me a past artist they’ve been to put their headphones in and I am the first person to speak to them.”
Before becoming a tattoo artist, Edwards studied fine art at the University of Waterloo, where she also took an anatomy class that has become an asset in tattooing.
“It helped me think more deeply about how a tattoo moves on the body. The forearm seems like a flat space, but it actually twists every time you move your wrist.”
It’s this attention to detail that she is passing down to the apprentices she’s brought into her studio.
As for advice for those aspiring tattoo artists, or those looking to get their first tattoo: “Do your research and pick an artist and studio you’re comfortable with. There is a lot of trust involved. People are trusting you to put something on their body, and you’re trusting them to allow you to put your art there.”
Georgian Pines Tattoo Studio is located at 44 Cedar Pointe Dr., Unit 1111, in Barrie.
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