Meet Zella Mäkelä

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zella Mäkelä. 

Hi Zella, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I started tattooing quite recently, in terms of “tattoo years.” I guess I softly entered the tattoo scene by drawing designs for others while I was in my undergrad as a side hustle. I always told myself that I was way too anxious to ever tattoo, but here I am! I like to joke that I have way too many degrees to be a tattooer (I’m currently working on my 4th), but I love tattooing so much. It perfectly meshes all of my interests and passions together, and it feels like exactly where I am meant to be. After doing some digital art and design for some video games, I became a bit more confident in my art, but I was really pushed to start when I had the idea of meshing my passion and knowledge for Nordic history and folklore into something tangible. Working with my mentor, Johannes Gårdbäck in Sweden, I came up with my process for my reading-based tattoos, which are really close to my heart. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a tattooer is never easy. The apprenticeship process is extremely difficult! I actually apprenticed briefly while I lived in Washington state, and ended up swearing off tattooing because of how absolutely terrible the experience was. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of sexism in the industry. I was lucky enough to find Blackbird Ink years later, a woman-owned and operated shop in CO who showed me that apprenticeships don’t have to be full of abuse and sexual assault. Even with that though, I was still told by other male tattooers that my approach was too soft, not traditional enough, etc. It’s hard to not let those things get to you. On a different note, creating my reading tattoos were a challenge themselves. Creating something from my culture that wasn’t too specific, and yet still something I could connect with and feel true producing was tough. I was terrified that there wouldn’t be a market for it, but people have showed me otherwise. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in reading-based tattoos, meaning that the design is a symbol that I create on the spot after a reading with a client. I ask a lot of questions, and use the answers to create a symbol that replicates a feeling, place, want, etc. I do this using traditional Finnish, Swedish, and Icelandic folk techniques, as well as my own practice to create symbols that resonate with that the client is trying to represent. 

Aside from reading tattoos, I also specialize in etching, linework, and engraving style tattooing. I love vintage scientific illustrations and find a lot of inspiration from them. 

What was your favorite childhood memory?
There are a lot of really fond ones, but probably being out in nature with my dad. 

Contact Info:

• Website: Thefaunawitch.com
• Instagram: faunawitchtatts