Profile of AAWTattooo at Vault 71

Amy Allen-West, co-runs a female-owned tattoo shop in the North-end of Portsmouth. She shares a space in the Collective Beauty space with another artist Emma Elizabeth.  

Photo owned and commissioned by Amy Allen-West

Their studio, Vault 71, is named after Fallout, a futuristic role-playing video game. 

They created the space as what Amy calls a “cute girlypop tattoo studio” which they wanted to be a fun, safe and inclusive space for everyone. 

It was hard for her to create such a lively space because they rent a basement space but they put a lot of work in: painting the walls, ceilings, putting up shelves and collecting trinkets that they felt fitted their “fun, girly” vibes. 

Images from Alison Canham’s Archive and Vault 71

The studio is decked to the max with fun decorations such as a green felt mirror, neon signs, a pink record player and more. 

Aside from tattooing Amy loves cats, music (particularly bands such as Wet Leg and The Last Dinner Party), and drawing for relaxation not just for her clients. 

Amy says the move from her old studio, Twin Throne Tattoo, was scary and a big challenge but she used a quote from Dolly Parton to keep her going, “you’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.”

Amy tattoos largely earthy and nature based tattoos which she shades with a variety of techniques such as stippling, whip shading and dot work. 

Her designs are more delicate and fine line compared to traditional tattoo art which makes her portfolio stand out from the rest.