Fire Vixen Tattoos has added a third staff member to their crew.

Nik Hylo, who has been tattooing for over four years, has literally made his mark on the business.

“I’ve always done art, I’ve been drawing since I can remember,” said Hylo.

“And I liked tattoos. When I lived in a small town in Norway I just walked into a tattoo parlour there, showed some of my drawings to the staff and asked if they wanted to teach me to tattoo, and they said yes.”

Hylo described his first ventures into tattooing as quite a different experience than his first artistic experiences, but that in time, it became natural.

“Like anything, it becomes second nature the more and more you do it,” said Hylo.

Hylo has worked in Norway, Australia, Germany and Austria tattooing before arriving in the Columbia Valley.

He met Fire Vixen Tattoos owners Sarah Eastick and Craig Smith while having a casual night out, a week before the parlour was to first open.

“We got along well, and I mentioned I was an artist,” said Hylo.

But to tattoo at Fire Vixen, Hylo had to first pass an “entrance exam” of sorts.

Smith had asked that Hylo tattoo him to see his work and products in action.

“It was one of the hardest, scariest things I’ve had to do,” laughed Hylo. “I had never used the machines they had at this parlour before.”

Hylo added that tattooing in a new shop, and on one of the owners from the get-go was just as nerve-wracking.

However, he passed the test with flying colours, and with commendations from Smith for the work.

Some of Hylo’s favourite subjects are stylized work full of colour, ranging from “new school” designs to works with a Japanese flair.

“I’ve been having a great time here, all the clients have been great,” said Hylo.

“I’ve heard nothing but good things as feedback. And it doesn’t feel like work, it’s simply fun and I enjoy working and meeting with new people.”

For more information about Fire Vixen Tattoos, or to book a consultation, call 250-342-8844.