Hey, I’m Maya — tattoo artist, fine artist, and full-time skin storyteller. I’ve been tattooing for 7 years now, starting my ink journey in Brisbane before heading to the UK to sharpen my craft. For the past 4 years, I’ve called Palmwoods home, and now I’m stoked to co-launch Pendulum Tattoo by the sea in Mooloolaba with my tattoo sister and longtime creative ally, Katrina.

With a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in printmaking and drawing, I’ve always been neck-deep in the creative world — from curating exhibitions to performance art, teaching, painting, textiles and jewellery. But no matter the medium, drawing has always been the heartbeat of my practice.

My tattoo work leans into fine detail — think black and grey, colour realism, fine line and decorative work. I love the energy of freehanding, drawing straight on skin to follow the natural flow of the body. It’s collaborative, intuitive, and deeply personal.

I’ve also had the privilege of working with women post-mastectomy, tattooing decorative artworks to cover scare and realistic areola tattoos that help restore a sense of confidence and wholeness. It’s work that grounds me and reminds me of the power of this art form.

People often say I bring a calming presence to the studio — and that matters to me. Tattoos are a vulnerable, transformative experience. Feeling safe, seen, and comfortable? That’s the magic. My favourite moment? When a client looks in the mirror and says, “It’s even better than I imagined.”