Brett Hayes | Biography

Born 1981, Sydney

My childhood was spent watching cartoons, doing graffiti, skateboarding, bodyboarding and doing Taekwondo.

I’ve always had a love of Art. In high school, I wanted to become an Animator. In year 10, I did work experience at an Animation Studio in Artarmon.

After I finished high school, I had a few different jobs, mostly in customer service and retail. After a few years, I decided to pursue Art full-time and enrolled into a course in Fine Arts at Meadowbank Tafe. I majored in Oil painting. I’ve also studied painting at The National Art School and Julian Ashton Art School as well as doing several workshops with Australian Artists.

I started tattooing at BodyArt in 2009. In 2010 I was given an opportunity to apprentice under Nathan Puata and move to Tatudharma Tattoo Studio. I had a year long apprenticeship under Nathan. With the help and support of all the crew at Tatudharma I was ready to tattoo full time. My main focus is on Japanese style tattoos. This is the style of tattoos I personally love the most. I’ve been to Japan twice and on both trips, have been tattooed.

I’ve been tattooing for 10 years now. I have been fortunate to work as a guest artist as well as work at tattoo conventions in Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand. I’ve been tattooed by and learnt from many amazing tattoo artists over the years.

I’m inspired to create art everyday and I love that I get to tattoo people for a living.

Thank you for considering me to do your tattoo. I really appreciate it. I’m looking forward to discussing your ideas with you and hopefully tattooing you.

Brett Hayes - November 2010