ONE tattoo artist from Bude was shocked after winning the Best Black Work category at this year’s Cornwall Tattoo Convention.

The nationwide competition, held at Wadebridge’s Royal Cornwall Showground, welcomed visitors from up and down the country and Eldmer Gill, owner of Bude’s Tidy Tattoo walked away with one of the event’s most prestigious prizes.

Eldmer had never entered a tattoo convention before and understandably has been overwhelmed by his triumph ever since.

He said: “To be honest it hasn’t really sunk in yet. Since it was announced I haven’t really had chance to think about it.

“Funnily enough when the winner was read out I was outside the tent eating my chips thinking nothing of it, until someone came rushing out to tell me I had won!”

Eldmer has been a tattoo artist for the last decade and has had his own shop in Bude for more than three years, which he runs in tangent with his wife’s antique and collectable shop, Satis House.

To win the award, Eldmer had to produce some black work on a subject within a time frame, to then present to the judging panel which included Nikole Lowe, one of the scene’s most recognised names. Eldmer was ecstatic when she spoke to him afterwards praising the work he had done.

He said: “After I was announced the winner she came up to me and said how good the work was. To be praised by such a renowned name is overwhelming.”

Eldmer wasn’t even going to attend the convention until his friend and fellow tattoo artist, Vill Ash Harrison (Villkat Arts) had a pitch and invited Eldmer to attend.

Eldmer chose Lee Ellis as his subject, a name readers might recognise as one of the founding members of the Leopallooza music festival.

He and Eldmer have been good friends for years and the Best Black Work category winner has been imprinting his work at the local music festival since its beginning back in 2006.

He has been painting the infamous ‘burnt car’ with various designs, prior to it being set alight year on year. He has also designed shirts and mechanise for the festival, utilising his impressive drawing skills.

Eldmer was very impressed with his first tattoo convention —aside from the fact he managed to pick up first place.

He said: “It was amazing, seeing tattoo artists from up and down the country.

“The organisers asked if I was going to be back next year and I told them I certainly would, I loved it.”

More of Eldmer’s designs can be found by visiting his Facebook page ‘TidyTattoo’.