NAME :
Em Kaye.
OCCUPATION :
Tattoo Artist, Illustrator, and Designer.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN :
Egypt.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE :
Dubai
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS :
Strong, creative, and tempramental.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB :
I love drawing, and having someone love my art enough to have it permanently on their body is awesome.
WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION TO BECOME A TATTOO ARTIST :
I never thought of it as an option for a long time, but as I got more and more tattooed and I met artists from different backgrounds, I thought I too could do it.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST TATTOO YOU CREATED :
It was a traditional nail tattoo. I was so nervous, but my mentor Kate, my very talented tattoo artist, mentor,
and friend, created a lot of incredible tattoos for me @kate.rbtl, was guiding me through the entire process,
and I’m very grateful for her
WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOUR DESIGNS :
I’ve always loved traditional and black work tattoos. my earliest inspiration was the artist Johnny Gloom,
but I also take inspiration from music and movies.
WHICH DESIGN HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE TO TATTOO :
I did a ghost face tattoo recently that was super fun. I love horror movies, and creating an original piece
inspired by one of my favorite movies is amazing.
IF YOU COULD COLAB WITH ANY TATTOO ARTIST IN THE WORLD, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE :
Johnny Gloom.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ANYONE TO MODEL TO TATTOO, WHO WOULD IT BE :
Lana del Rey.
HOW HAS THE SCENE CHANGED IN DUBAI IN RECENT YEARS :
It’s crazy how much it grew. When I first started getting tattooed, there were a couple of OG artists that were super lowkey, but now we have artists guest spotting from all over the world with multiple studios hosting them.
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY :
I honestly can’t tell; my childhood feels like a fever dream.
WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AS A KID :
Shy, I used to read and draw a lot.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION :
My Yamaha Pacifica guitar.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE :
Michelle Rodriguez.
CHOOSE A SUPERPOWER :
Mind control.
WHAT IS YOUR WORST TRAIT :
Quick to anger.
WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT :
My fear of failure.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT :
Becoming a full-time artist.
DO YOU LISTEN TO PODCASTS :
Yes, I’m obsessed with the Last Podcast on the Left.
WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE :
Vaping.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 4 MUSICIANS / BANDS :
Avicii, Lana del Rey, Chromatics, and Motley Crue.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING YOU EVER STOLE :
My style.
YOU ARE HEADING TO THE ISS / INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, CHOOSE 4 PEOPLE TO TAKE A LONG :
My parents and siblings.
WHAT WOULD A PERFECT DAY FOR YOU LOOK LIKE :
A morning run, iced coffee by the pool, a tattoo session, play some guitar, gym, and dinner.
IF YOU COULD BE FRIENDS WITH A FICTIONAL CHARACTER WHO WOULD IT BE :
Reacher, he’s low maintenance but will be there if I need him.
PICK YOUR TOP 5 MAGAZINES :
Life, National Geographic, Vogue, Mickey Mouse (from my childhood), and Pretty.
WHAT IS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ :
How to Sell a Haunted House.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU :
The thought of one day becoming a great artist.
YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATION :
Italy, There’s a lot of great art and history, the culture is very open and expressive, it felt very free and inviting,
also the food is incredible.
YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE DESTINATION :
France, although it’s a beautiful country, I didn’t feel very welcome during my visit there.
PICK YOUR TOP 5 MAGAZINES :
Life, National Geographic, Vogue, Mickey Mouse (from my childhood), and Pretty.
WHAT IS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ :
How to Sell a Haunted House.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU :
The thought of one day becoming a great artist.
YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATION :
Italy, There’s a lot of great art and history, the culture is very open and expressive, it felt very free and inviting,
also the food is incredible.
YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE DESTINATION :
France, although it’s a beautiful country, I didn’t feel very welcome during my visit there.
WHAT IS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST :
Riding a motorcycle, rollerblading, playing guitar on stage, benching 100kg, going to Amsterdam, and Germany.
DO YOU LIKE BEING INTERVIEWED :
Yeah.
WHAT’S THE CLOSEST YOU HAVE COME TO DEATH :
A car crash here in Dubai, next to my house, I was driving too fast.
IF YOU HAD A BOAT, WHAT WOULD IT BE CALLED :
Cherry, it’s my favorite song by the band Chromatics, they unfortunately broke up.
YOUR MOTTO OR MESSAGE :
You miss a hundred percent of the shots you don’t take.
