Faces of Kelowna: Tattoo Artistry

"We are your all-female, girls shop, dream shop, local studio for beautiful tattoos, fun atmosphere, and great vibes," says owner-operator-tattoo artist Candice Browne. “The Ink Parlour is comforting, warm, and inviting. Satisfaction of our clients is No. 1. We work with clients and guide them with our experience and knowledge to the design that's perfect for them."

Candice and her four fellow women tattoo artists are detail-oriented and light-handed with specialties ranging from fine line, highly detailed, photo-realistic, black & gray and softly shaded to high contrast, neo-traditional, full-colour pieces and professional hand poke in American traditional style. Not to mention, cover-ups and tattoo revamping.

"The industry has changed so much," says Candice. "There used to be a stigma attached to tattoos, so many people didn't get tattoos. Now, it's rare to come across someone who doesn't at least have one tattoo."

The Ink Parlour sees it all -- young people and older people alike coming in for their first tattoo, many repeat customers, and all the combinations and permutations thereof. So, family groups, father-son, mother-daughter, couples, bridesmaids, girls weekends, sports teams and athletes, law enforcement officers, first responders, lawyers, and wine tour groups.

They can be after a little butterfly, wine glass, grape bunch tattoo or arm band, an in-memoriam tattoo, matching tattoos, king and queen tattoos (popular with couples), or something big and bold like a neo-traditional, fine-line mountain range and have even had requests for Ogopogo and Okanagan Lake Bridge tattoos.

"We have something for everyone," sums up Candice.

The Ink Parlour does free consultations and wants you to know that in addition to new tattoos, old tattoos can be revamped or even completely covered up with better work. “No need to live with that tattoo you haven’t liked for the past 15 years,” says Candice.

Candice became fascinated with tattooing in 1996 when she saw someone for the first time draw, stencil, line, shade, and colour a tattoo. "I was that kid who loved colouring books and when I discovered you could do it for a living as a tattoo artist, I knew immediately it would be my passion," she says. "I also love people and love chatting with them, so tattoo artist has become my ideal job."

After working as a tattoo artist in Calgary, Candice moved to Kelowna and started The Ink Parlour in 2018 as a two-girl shop with friend and business partner Bethany Saura. Bethany sadly passed away a year and a half later and Candice decided to continue with the all-female concept.

"We have a vision and we'd love for you to be part of it," concludes Candice.