Nestled in Castle Douglas, right in the heart of the Stewartry, Phat Kat Tattoo stands as a testament to the power of dreams and determination.
Founded by 23 year old former Kirkcudbright Academy pupil, Adele Baird and her partner 25 year old Heather Kay, Phat Kat Studio has quickly gained a reputation for artistic excellence and community spirit.
Tattooing has been Adele’s dream since she was eight years old. Her passion was so evident that when Phat Kat opened, Adeles P5 teacher commented on her Facebook “I remember you starting Johnston Primary in P5 and telling me you wanted to be a tattoo artist. And here you are. Living the dream.”
Adele’s journey began in earnest in 2016; by 2019, she had turned professional. Despite the challenges of being self-taught, her dedication and talent shone through.
In 2020, Adele obtained the keys to her first private studio, but lockdown hit only a month later, delaying her plans. After a considerably challenging and unnecessary amount of back and forth with the council (which is assumed to be due to her age at the time), she finally obtained her license post-lockdown.
Despite only being open a very short amount of time in Dumfries, a family tragedy, when her older brother Sean passed away prompted Adele to accept a job offer at an award winning studio in Dundee to allow her time to process and grieve her and her families loss.
Adele said “Moving to Dundee was a no-brainer; it allowed me to grieve, heal and grow
professionally” Adele reflects. “I knew it’s what Sean would’ve wanted for me, of-course I felt like a failure leaving shortly after opening but he was truly passionate about my career and art. We often spoke and joked of various business intentions together, always
surrounding our artistic capabilities of some variety. This was the only way forward.”
However, her stint in Dundee was not the end of her challenges. In 2022, Adele opened Phat Kat Tattoo in Perth, only to encounter another setback. Unforeseen issues with the property that the pair were renting forced Adele and Heather to relocate.
“It put a huge strain on our mental and physical health,” Adele recalls. The constant stress even led to a hospitalisation in York on the way to work at Skin Deep Magazine’s Great British Tattoo Show in London. “The stress was overwhelming. We knew we needed
to get out,” Adele explains.
Realising they needed a fresh start, Adele and Heather returned to Dumfries and Galloway, where they found a supportive landlord and a perfect location for their studio.
“Finding our current building with the most amazing landlord has been a blessing. We obtained our license in October 2023 and opened in November 2023. We’ve been thriving on all levels ever since,” Adele notes.
Heather Kay has been a crucial part of this journey. Taking on the dual role of studio manager and as Adele’s apprentice, Heather has supported Adele every step of the way. “I couldn’t have done it all without her,” Adele emphasises, highlighting their strong relationship.
Adele’s talent has not gone unnoticed. She recently won four prestigious awards at the Preston Croc Art Masters Convention in June 2024, including first place in Small Colour Realism, second place in Small Colour, second place in Small Neo Traditional, and third place in Traditional.
Her exceptional skills have also attracted multiple sponsorships, notably from CrocartTattooCare, making Phat Kat Tattoo an Elite Studio and Adele an Elite Artist.
Adele proudly states “We’re unbelievably thrilled to be sponsored by CrocartTattooCare and supported by several other tattoo supply companies. We’ve come so far and worked so hard for this,”
This sponsorship, along with her numerous awards, underscores Adele’s genuine achievements in an industry where excellence is paramount. Additionally, in the recent
past, Adele has been invited to and worked at various prestigious conventions, including Skin Deep Magazine’s Tattoo Freeze convention and even an event in the Netherlands.
Phat Kat Tattoo is not just about creating stunning tattoos; it’s also about giving back. Adele and Heather have organised several charity projects, with proceeds going to various causes including Pride and Mental Health awareness. They introduced the “Sugar Stash”
initiative, where clients can donate any spare change to grab a bag of sweets during their tattoo sessions, with 100% of the proceeds going to a cat charity once the sealed tin is full.
Adele said “We want to do as much as we can for charity as a small business,”
This commitment to charity reflects their desire to use their platform for good.
Their charitable efforts extend beyond these initiatives. Phat Kat Tattoo has donated vouchers to various charities and community projects and consistently aims to contribute to local causes.
They also encourage clients to bring in cat food donations for Cats Protection, offering discounts on tattoos in return. “We proudly double whatever we get donated and make a small donation weekly, regardless if anyone else has,” Adele explained.
Adele’s dedication to professionalism and client safety is evident in her public posts, emphasising the importance of industry standards. In a recent post, she outlined key red flags to watch for in tattoo studios, such as portfolio secrecy, poor hygiene practices, unprofessional conduct, and the use of stolen artwork.
Adele stresses, “By being aware of basic industry standards, you’ll be better
equipped to ensure the ideal experience for you, no matter where you go for your tattoo.”
Looking ahead, Phat Kat Tattoo aims to be even more involved in the local community and continue participating in national and international conventions.
Adele and Heather’s story is one of resilience, passion, and a deep commitment to their craft and community. Their studio stands as a shining example of what can be achieved with determination and heart. As they continue to grow and give back, Phat Kat Tattoo’s future looks incredibly bright.
Adele’s final thoughts on their journey: “Every challenge has only made us stronger, and we’re excited for what’s to come.”
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