Step into the vibrant world of neo-traditional ink with Addox Grey, the smol-but-mighty tattoo artist making waves out of Edmonton, Alberta. Known for weaving warm, romantic tones with sharp, modern flair, Addox is carving out a space that feels as bold as it is welcoming. What sets Addox apart isn’t just her ability to create unforgettable tattoos—it’s her mission to provide a safe haven for queer, BIPOC, and nerdy communities, ensuring every client leaves not only with fresh ink but also with a deeper sense of belonging. Addox also shines by proving that kindness and authenticity can be just as badass as ink itself. Get ready to meet the artist who blends sharp lines with soft hearts, and who’s unapologetically redefining what it means to be a tattooer in 2025: Addox Grey.
How would you like to introduce yourself?
Hello! I’m Addox Grey, your wee neo-traditional tattoo artist residing in Canada land.
Canada is big! Where exactly can customers find you?
They can find me at Capital Tattoo 101, in Edmonton (Alberta).
How would you describe the tattoo scene in Canada these days?
There’s a lot of people here nowadays getting tattoos of things they really enjoy instead of worrying about what’s considered cool or bad-ass. I am so lucky that a lot of my clients are nerds like me.
How would you define yourself in one word?
Smol.
Where did your fascination for tattoos come from?
I come from the Tumblr days of doom scrolling cool tattoos to post on your page while quoting the most emo lyrics. I didn’t have any tattoos yet….. but oh boy, did I want some.
What does tattooing mean to you personally?
To me, tattooing is a way that I can create a safe space for my queer, BIPOC, and nerdy communities. I do this because I love creating art for people like me. All I strive for is my clients to feel the utmost comfortable while I help them feel whole with a new tattoo.
At what point in your life did you decide to become a professional tattoo artist?
I was getting very stressed out with university at the time. I was majoring in computing sciences, hoping to go for a career in video game design. I don’t think university was really the right fit for me. I was dating a piercer at the time and he invited me to draw at the studio he worked at for fun and to relax from school. Eventually, I got noticed by the studio owner and offered an apprenticeship. I said yes and have never looked back since!
How was your apprenticeship experience?
I was very lucky that my mentor during the apprenticeship was a woman. But… that’s about all the good luck I got out of it. I was not supervised or taught very much. The piercer at the studio taught me more than she did. I had to learn a lot of things on my own.
How did your family react when you started a career in tattooing?
My Dad has always seen me as his unique, quirky child. He was extremely supportive and not surprised at all by this career choice. He’s always been my number one fan from the start. My mum on the other hand… took some warming up. I was raised in an Asian household where there’s the usual responsibility of getting a career as a doctor, engineer, etc. in order to make your parents proud.
Once she did start seeing that I was not struggling with being a tattoo artist, she’s been so happy to see me strive. At the last tattoo convention she visited, she was even STOKED to hold all of my competition awards for photos. I could hardly get them away from her!
What did your first tattoo look like?
I tattooed my partner at the time. It was a colorful fishing lure on his lower leg. I distinctly remember pulling one of the lines too long and freaking out. But he reassured me that everything was okay and how to correct the line as if nothing happened.
Do you usually do guest spots? If yes, what’s your experience in doing them?
I used to do them a lot more often than I do now. I quite enjoy them though! It’s fun to travel to a new place with all new tattoos to work on. I find that I get the coolest tattoo projects from clients during guest spots.
As a Tattoo Artist, what does your daily working routine look like?
Wake up early, get linework or small drawing adjustments prepared as I eat breakfast, head to work, set up, tattoo, tattoo, tattoo, go home, draw, draw, draw. Hehe.
What is one surprising aspect of being a tattoo artist?
The weird connections I now have. If I need to find tickets to a show, help with my car, have an oddly specific question to answer, etc.; I usually have a client that I can ask. The plugs are endless and sometimes so weird.
How do you determine the price of a tattoo?
I charge hourly and warn clients that I can be a bit slower than the average tattoo artist because I like to use layering techniques in my tattoos. I usually give them an overestimate in how long a project will take just in case.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2025?
The responsibility of representing someone else’s creativity and ideas permanently on their body. But I guess that’s the most challenging aspect for every year.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a tattoo artist?
Being able to provide my clients with a safe space for them to get tattooed. And the smiles on their faces when they look at a completed project :)
How would you define your current tattoo style, and how did you end up focusing on it?
I would say that I sit in the realm of Neo-traditional/Neo-romantic tattoo style. I saw my idols tattoo these warm, romantic tattoos on Instagram and I wanted it for myself. I remember I was looking at a tattoo that Levi Murphy did where it was a lady face with a yellow under glow by her chin; I was enamoured. I think I stared at that tattoo photo dozens of times.
Are there any tattoo styles you’d like to explore more?
I don’t get asked for it as often, but I do love doing Anime/Manga inspired tattoos. The use of colour and contrast in that style is chefs kiss
Please walk us through your process when you start a new tattoo for your customers.
We do an in-person consultation first where I go over the basic ideas of what the client wants achieved. There’s usually a bit of us brainstorming how the project could look. On the day of the tattoo, I have a rough render + linework ready for their approval. If my client wants small adjustments made, I am more than happy to do so. And then I tattoo! Weeeee!
How do you stay creatively inspired?
I read lots of manga, comics, and books. I am also constantly surrounded by my talented artist friends. My best friend and I have nights together where we turn into lumps on the couch and draw while watching tv. Sometimes we’ll even play a game where we draw one portion, pass the Ipad for the other person to draw another portion, and so on.
How do you balance client requests with your artistic vision?
I offer suggestions that align more with the style I excel at. If their vision is too far away from what I specialise in, I suggest an artist that may align better with their end goal.
What tools and machines do you prefer to use?
I loooooooove using Good Guy Tattoo Supply‘s supreme cartridges for my needles! I’m all about wireless tattoo pens as well. I’m currently rocking a Cheyenne Sol Nova unlimited.
What’s your number one aftercare advice for clients?
Please don’t overthink it!!! Putting yourself through unnecessary stress and overdoing aftercare can conflict with the healing process.
What’s the most underrated tattoo style?
Neo-romantic, for sure. I don’t think a lot of people are aware of it’s existence quite yet.
What’s the most overrated tattoo style?
Trend tattoo styles; they are usually inconsiderate of how the tattoo ages over time.
Are there any tattoos you prefer not to do?
Anything that sits outside of my realm of Neo-traditional/Neo-romantic style. I know so many other talented tattoo artists that would make beautiful pieces in an array of different tattoo styles, go to them if they specialise in the style you want!
Do you have sponsors? If yes, what could you tell us about your sponsors?
I am currently sponsored by Good Guy Tattoo Supply. They are located in Canada. I am so lucky to be a part of their sponsored team, we are all like one little happy tattoo family.
As a Tattoo Artist, what kind of tattoo ethics is really important to you?
Being kind and caring to the client is always my top priority. I think it can be easy to momentarily forget that someone is coming up to the tattoo artist for their art; that should be met with gratitude from the artist.
Being a successful tattoo artist requires many different skills. What’s your favorite way to keep learning?
Watch people I look up to tattoo in person. Whether it be getting tattooed by them, hanging out at tattoo conventions or guest spots, or visiting a tattoo studio I like; these are all very important ways to keep growing in tattooing.
Do you like to teach or mentor upcoming artists?
Nah, I don’t think I’m built well for that. I’m very shy and don’t talk much in general haha.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received to improve your tattooing technique?
“Don’t be afraid to ask”; That has gotten my foot in the door so many times in the tattoo world so that I could learn and improve.
How do you stay at the top of your game?
Try to be nice to my body. I have a hard time saying “No” to so many cool projects but I attempt to block off time for myself in order to avoid burnout. That way I can re-enter the tattoo world renewed and ready to kick butt.
What do you think separates a good tattoo artist from a great one?
A great tattoo artist pushes boundaries with what is possible. They set trends instead of following them. They excel, not only in their art form but also on a technical level. They work to accentuate the body with work that will age well, not just physically but stylistically.
How do you feel about the growing acceptance of tattoos in society?
I’m all for it! I love that people are coming around to getting cool art of things they enjoy.
What’s the biggest misconception that customers may have about tattoos?
I think customers sometimes fail to grasp that a tattoo is one of the only things in life that will get buried with you.
What’s the biggest trend in tattooing you have noticed in the last 5 years?
Trying to squeeze in as many details in a small space as possible… I low-key cringe as I imagine how it will age down the road.
What’s your view on the rise of AI in tattooing?
I appreciate it for certain things. I have a lot of BIPOC clients who want tattoos that fit their ethnicity. Sometimes when I have a really nice photo reference of a woman’s face in a pose I’d like to use as inspiration, I ask AI to change the ethnicity of the woman. It makes my job a little easier and I still get to be inspired by that reference photo for the project I’m working on.
What would you change about the tattoo industry?
Hmm… somehow getting rid of that “I’m really cool and tough” vibe that some studios still have. It’s not welcoming at all for a lot of clients. Walking into studios like that even freaks me out a bit.
Do you work on other projects within the tattoo industry?
I have had an offer to design the art for a certain tattoo convention in Canada. But I have to keep it hush hush for now.
Do you do other forms of art besides tattooing?
Yes, I paint with oil, copic markers, and water colours. I think it’s important to have other creative outlets apart from tattooing.
Who are the people you admire the most within the tattoo community?
I am hands down Levi Murphy‘s number one fan and I am ready to brawl with whoever says otherwise :)
What’s your experience at tattoo conventions so far?
AMAZING. A couple of years ago, I decided to put myself out there and compete at conventions. It’s one of the reasons I started to grow exponentially with my tattoos.
How do you usually prepare for a tattoo convention?
I try to pack everything I need well ahead of time. My drawings are usually finished up and approved at least a week before the convention. There’s usually a day’s rest before the big weekend where I am extra nice to myself. Sometimes I’ll treat myself to a really nice meal the night before.
What’s your primary reason to attend a tattoo convention?
To see my friends! Everyone travels from all over and it’s like a big happy reunion.
What’s your favorite tattoo convention so far? And why?
I am in love with the Saskatoon Tattoo Show. Steve puts on a lovely weekend for use. He even has massage specialists on duty for the tired tattoo artists; That’s heckin’ cool.
Have you ever had the opportunity to participate in any tattoo contests?
Ohhhhh yeah :) I don’t think you have enough space for my to specify my 20+ awards I’ve accumulated in the past couple of years..haha. I love participating in contests, it really pushes me to up my tattoo game. I usually grow a lot after.
Do you collect tattoos from artists you meet at conventions?
I’m too shy to get tattooed at conventions. I tried it once and I hated the feeling of people watching me! I usually ask my friends to tattoo me in the privacy of their studios.
How do you think there are ways tattoo conventions could improve for both artists and the public?
Make it fun for both the artists and the public! Sometimes it seems like it’s a choice between one or the other.
Was there any event in particular that really boosted your career?
As mentioned, The Saskatoon Tattoo Show. I managed to win “Tattoo of The Show”, “Best Neo-Traditional”, “Best Collaboration”, and “Tattoo of the Day – Saturday” all at the 2025 convention.
Is there any tattoo that you have created in your career that you are particularly proud of?
Any of my collaborations with Levi Murphy have been monumental in my career. I learn so much every time and our styles blend beautifully together. We make some pretty sick tattoo babies!
What is your greatest accomplishment as a tattoo artist?
So far it’s probably winning “Tattoo of The Show” at Saskatoon Tattoo Show 2025. I had never won in that category before. It was so cool!
What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and ask questions. You never know what doors it could unlock for you.
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
I’d love to create more art for my communities. Maybe design some more tattoo convention art, a poster for a cool band I like, something along those lines.
What legacy do you want to leave as a tattoo artist?
I hope I help other queer, BIPOC artists know that they can have a space to thrive in the tattoo community if they want it.
To close this awesome interview, what’s your last message to our readers?
Boop!
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