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MARLEE WATTS

(She/they)

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Marlee Watts is Hemlock’s first apprentice!

Watts is one of Hemlock’s original co owners and started out as the shop's general manager. She is the person behind the scenes that helps to keep Hemlock running smoothly.

Watts has worked in the tattoo industry for 5+ years and has had an interest in body modification since she was teenager. Tattoos and piercings have always been a special part of Watts’ Identity.  As a teenager, she dreamt about becoming a tattoo artist one day. At the time it felt so unattainable that she didn't end up actively pursuing it, until now!

Her interest in body adornment has always influenced her artistic practice. It is part of what inspired her to attend The Alberta University of the Arts to pursue jewellery + metalsmithing which she graduated from in 2015 with honours. Since starting ACUA in 2009 she has been running her jewellery business, North West Jewellery, which is still going strong today.

Watts has just begun her tattoo apprenticeship journey under the watchful eyes of her three mentors, Taylor Hudson, Janeen Scott and Geneva Haley. Watts practice is informed by consent based and trauma aware tattoo training. She is continuing to develop her techniques and personal tattoo style.

Marlee is currently tattooing part time and is tattooing flash only. Because she is an apprentice she is limited to tattooing certain areas of the body and her rates and availability is subject to change.


To see more detailed booking info and what she has available check out her Flash Instagram story highlight on Instagram.


Email Marlee for inquiries.

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Hemlock Tattoo would like to acknowledge our location and role to play within the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes: The Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations), and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. We want to express our deep gratitude for the people of these nations for caring for the land and all the sacrifices they have made in doing so.

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We want to acknowledge our privileged position to be operating on this extremely abundant land and to recognize that ALL people residing here are Treaty 7 people. In the spirit of acknowledging this history we want to conduct ourselves in a way that honours the Seven Teachings of the Blackfoot, Cree, and Ojibwe people. These teachings are comprised of courage, honesty, humility, love, respect, truth and wisdom and they perfectly encompass how we wish to operate and share space in Treaty 7 territory. 

We also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the indigenous origins and history of tattooing in North America as well as in a wider global context. Our modern western understanding of tattooing barely passes a glance at the deep, symbolic and sacred roots tattooing has in indigenous cultures. As a team we want to participate in changing this via the dissemination of information/education and supporting those who are working to revive and protect the ancestral tattoo techniques, motifs and patterns that colonialism sought to erase.

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Thank you to Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes for her warmth, wisdom and guidance and to all future educators and experts for sharing their knowledge with us. We want to commit ourselves to continuing to amplify voices and seeking out the expertise of the historical stewards of this land we call home.

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-Hemlock Tattoo

©2024 Hemlock Tattoo Studio. Created by the Bread & Butter Club.

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