From an early age, tattoo apprentice and artist Lou Donnellan says that she was making art — whether she was doodling constantly and teaching herself via Youtube, or creating dolls out of cardboard for each one of her aunties.
“I learned how to draw figures and faces, and then I got into drawing friends and family, and that kind of led me into portraiture and realism which is what I focused on from that point forward,” Donnellan said. “I didn’t really explore any other styles at all until I got into tattooing.”
Donnellan is an apprentice at The Coven tattoo studio in Anchorage, a collective of women tattooers including Tattoos by Erin, Fable Tattoo Studio and Honey Bee Ink. She began her apprenticeship in 2024, and is particularly interested in drawing realism.
“I haven’t gotten to tattoo a lot of [realism], I am definitely more in the fine line world right now,” she said. “But I am hoping sometime in the future I get to tattoo more realistic designs and also incorporate the other styles that I have been able to practice and create in — like dotwork or fine line, maybe ornamental.”
The building Donnellan works in is filled with other tattoo artists, and she says having other creatives around who are willing to share supplies and knowledge and talk about technique and give advice has given her room to grow without judgement.
“It has made this whole experience that much more meaningful to me,” she said.
“My mentors, Erin [of Tattoos by Erin], and Elizabeth [of Fable Tattoo Studio], for example, Jourdynn [of Bare Soul Tattoo], Bri [of Honey Bee Ink], Ember [of Ember Inks] and Lily [of Feral Design Studio] and even the ones I haven’t met that are a part of this industry — it is really inspiring to see how driven they all are and the care that they put into their work,” Donnellan continued. “And how they are able to sustain a living off of something that is very fulfilling for them — making art. It definitely inspires me a lot to create more and see value in my work.”
Several clients have expressed their gratitude towards Donnellan, being able to go into a tattoo shop and feeling comfortable and heard.
“[The Coven is] one of many women-owned shops that are growing throughout the state of Alaska, so I am glad that I get to be part of a shop that can help provide that for people,” she said.
Sam Davenport is a writer residing in Anchorage. She's a leo and a plant-person, and loves spending quality time with her dog, Aspen. She is a Real Housewives fan and has been called a Bravo historian.
