FEATURED ARTIST - SKIN FX, GOLD COAST TATTOOS, BORDERLINE TATTOOS-PAUL BRANIFF, DAMIEN GERDING, LUKE BRANIFF.

Skin FX
Upstairs cnr Cavill & Orchard Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217.
PH: (07) 5592 1905

Borderline Tattoos
1716 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220. pH: (07) 5576 4538

Gold Coast Tattoos
Shop B.I. 9 Nerang St, Southport QLD 4215. pH: (07) 5531 2728

Readers of these pages would be well aware of the name Paul Braniff. Paul has been well up the top of the tree in Australian (world?) tattooing for years and years and has won awards everywhere his work is shown, for all styles of tattooing. Paul, along with his wife Robyn, operate 3 studios on the Gold Coast with the help of numerous artists including Damien Gerding & Luke Braniff. Skin FX is probably the most well known shop on the Gold Coast being right in the heart of the action in Cavill Ave, Surfers.

Tell us a bit about the studio, Paul.
We've been established for seven years and between the 8 artists who work here, there's nothing we can't do. On the body piercing side of things, Noel Beam has been sticking the needle in at Skin FX for 5 years, developing a solid reputation.

Borderline Tattoos is the oldest established studio on the Gold Coast (15 years). At Borderline, you'll find more of the same, great tattooing and great piercing. Lots and lots of quality jewellery again and also an up and coming tattoo artist by the name of Damien Gerding. This guy is heading for a very bright tattoo future. How did you get started in the industry Damien?
I've been drawing since I started High School, and as I got older I got a passion for tattoo's and in my mid 20's started putting the two together. I first started working in Bundaburg, then moved on to the Gold Coast here at Borderline Tattoo Burliegh Heads, working for Paul & Robyn.

You obviously enjoy working here.
Yeah, it's cool.

What's your favorite style?
ìI feel confident doing any new design as each one is a new challenge, although I do tend to favour any Indian Style art, Comic art (e.g.: Lady Death) and of course the old favorite, skulls.

Ah skulls, they'll never die. Anything else you'd like to add?
I'd like to see more people putting forethought into their tattoos and going for something larger, bigger is better!

Yeah bigger is the way to go these days. This guy can really tattoo, you'd be happy with his progress Paul?
ìI was very lucky to score such a promising young artist as Damien when he arrived on the Gold Coast. This fellow is well on his way to making a big name for himself. And you can see more of Damien's work also at www.goldcoasttattoos.com.au

Your other shop, Gold Coast Tattoos has had a facelift in a new location?
Gold Coast Tattoos in Southport has been owned & operated by the Braniff family & crew for the past 10 years & now we're proud to announce the re-opening of Gold Coast Tattoos in it's new location, Shop B. I. 9 Nerang Street Southport.

Who's working at this studio Paul?
The artists working the new studio are myself and Luke Braniff. Luke is also an accomplished body piercer with over 5 years experience.

I don't know how you keep up with all this staff.
All our staff are great people and we should also give a plug to Tear (tone deaf) Briggs, shop roustabout & body piercer in training.

The new Gold Coast Tatts has been fitted out to accommodate body piercing and to stock and display a large range of body jewellery in stainless steel, gold, titanium, UV etc. which was lacking in the Southport area until now.

The Braniff family are very happy with the results of this new studio as it has a great atmosphere which both customers & staff enjoy. The studio is in the centre of Nerang St Mall surrounded by some of the best shopping on the Coast, straight opposite the mall entrance to the famous Australia Fair Shopping Centre.

"WE ORIGINATE - OTHERS IMITATE."
Thanks to Paul, Robyn and staff for their time.