Hey there! I'm Kalula, originally from the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.
My career path wasn't always clear-cut, and I didn't have a direct plan for where I am now. After graduating high school in 2005 with an average enter score and a solid portfolio from completing five art subjects, I decided to take some time off and travel instead of rushing into university.
A few years later, I enrolled in the Brighton Bay Art, Design & Photography Program, which was like a year 13 focused on portfolio preparation. It covered various creative platforms and boosted my enter score. It was a challenging but transformative year that sparked my interest in illustration, especially children’s books.
Following that, I pursued a Diploma in Illustration, a pivotal time where I began to develop my own artistic style. Through networking, I landed an apprenticeship as a tattoo artist, working with a machine. It was an eye-opening experience into the tattoo studio culture and industry dynamics, although it wasn't as female-friendly back then.
After leaving the apprenticeship, I refocused on freelance illustration, leveraging this period to build my client base and establish myself in the industry. Alongside illustration, I dabbled in stick and poke tattooing as a side hustle, which quickly gained popularity.
In 2016, I was fortunate to secure a spot at Fine Line Tattoos, where I continue to thrive in both illustration and tattoo artistry.
about
me
Tattoos
Tattooing friends just as a social hoot quickly turned to a full time job. I have been given great opportunities along the way, Cholo from Fine Line Tattoos really took me under his wing and help set off my career.
Being self taught in a newly popular medium, has helped me gain a unique style within the industry. I like to work with custom pieces for each client based on their brief or vision and the delicate result of stick and poke with its connections to an ancient art form.
I find that being a female artist in the tattoo industry is an amazing thing. I get to really empathise with my clients from a female energy. I enjoy hearing their stories and making connections with people of all walks of life.
There is no better feeling than seeing a client leaving the shop with a big smile on their face!
Illustration
I started drawing as soon as I could hold a pencil, I have always been attracted to creating, and find it to be an essential part of life.
My dad, an artist himself, made me draw every day for at least half an hour. Through tantrums and tears I learned a valuable lesson about consistency and putting in the time to see growth in craft.
Before tattooing was my main squeeze, I spent most of my days working on portraits, obsessed with faces, I would work hours and hours on the one drawing.
As well as working with realism I would pick up jobs along the way with logo design, murals and commissions. Saying yes to each opportunity that came my way, gave me a lust for using new mediums and increasing the range of style within my port folio.