Conor Stickybones Smith tattooing at Sacred Tattoo Auckland

How I Got Here

I was born in New Zealand but spent a lot of my childhood in the UK and Ireland. My first tattoo came at 17, done in a mate's kitchen in Ireland. From that point, I was hooked on the art form — and by 2016, I was tattooing full-time.

After years of learning, travelling, and building my craft, I've landed at Sacred Tattoo in Auckland as my home base, with regular guest spots at Deadly Tattoos in Calgary.

Background & Approach

I came into tattooing from a working-class, self-taught background. I didn't go to art school — I learned by doing, by failing, and by studying the artists and illustrators who came before me.

Every tattoo I make is narrative-driven. I want each piece to tell a story, fit the body naturally, and stand the test of time.

What Shapes the Work

Tattoo Traditions

Traditional, Japanese, neo-traditional — the foundations of bold, lasting work.

Art & Illustration

Golden Age illustrators, comic books, film concept art, and painting.

Stories & Worlds

Fantasy, sci-fi, mythology, folklore — narrative drives the design.

Music

Punk, metal, and hip-hop — the energy and attitude behind the work.

Selected Work

Let's Create Something

Ready to start your project? I'd love to hear your ideas and see what we can create together.

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