The Team

Bev Bev                         (Bev no longer tattoos) Skins and Needles Logo
 (Bev Ardley) I first became interested in tattooing in 1979 when I got my first tattoo in a wooden hut at the fair! It wasn't until about 1990 that I got my first machine and started to teach myself. I had always been artistic and had studied art and ceramics at school. I later attended Melton Mowbray College of F.E. where I gained 3 A Levels, one being in Art. I also won best art student there in 1985. In 1994 I worked for a short time in a studio in Coalville but wasn't happy with the standards, so I left to start my own business 'Skins and Needles' from a mobile caravan. The van was registered with Leicester City Council Environmental Health and off I went to tattoo and pierce at Biker Festivals. My first little shop was above Kesmark Motorcycles in Woodgate, Leicester. It was whilst at Woodgate that I had the good fortune to become acquainted with John Sargerson of Celtic Art Tattoo Studio in Chesterfield. He kindly let me sit and pick his brains for some considerable time and let me watch him work, he taught me so much more than technique as he is also an amazingly shrewd businessman. I also owe much to the likes of Micky Sharpz and Danny Harkins who were most helpful in my early days with good advice and help with machines. I opened South Wigston studio in 1996, I had the idea that I wanted to steer away from the traditional image of the “Tattoo Parlour” run by big burly types, I wanted to create more of an art gallery look, since our refit in 2009 I believe we've achieved that. The studio is bright and airy and we pride ourselves on providing a very friendly and helpful atmosphere. I specialise in Celtic and Tribal styles and Cover-up work.
Jay

Jay
(Jay Luka) Jay first joined Skins and Needles in 2012.

He prefers portraits, black & grey and Japanese style tattooing, although his passion is designing and tattooing pin-up girls.

Inspiration comes from such artists as Elias Chatzoudis and Martin J Abel but especially from low-brow giant Rockin Jelly Bean.
Jays main hero from the world of tattooing is the Texan master of the surreal; Dave Lum.
To see a more extensive portfolio of previous work and currently available designs go to JAYLUKA9 on instagram.

Instagram: @jayluka9
Pooley

Pooley
(Lee Poole) He has always loved to draw/paint etc and tattooing was a natural progression for him, as his dad also used to tattoo and it was something that interested him hugely from a young age.
Pooley also draws inspiration from tattooists like Uncle Allen, Phil Kyle, Todd Noble, Valerie Vargas etc. to name a few.

Pooley started at Skins and Needles in 2009, he loves his job, and intends to stay here permanently and continue to push his artwork/tattooing as far as possible. He has been tattooing for about a decade now.
When he is not tattooing he spends most of my time with his family or sat with his sketchbook happily doodling new designs.

He loves the old school style of tattooing, done traditionally or with the new school twist.

Instagram: @inkfetish666