Shelldon Bowers

Early Years

A reckless and free-spirited skateboarder, Shelldon fondly recalls his teenage years and encounters with the enigmatic individuals running a local tattoo studio in country New South Wales. It wasn't long before he formed friendships and became like family with those wonderful humans.

 At 15 years old, with a fixated gaze on the vibrating needles, Shelldon witnessed his first piece of purpose-made tattoo art being professionally inked on a close friend's arm. Captivated by the experience, he declared, "I'm a tattoo artist." It was 1991.​

Apprenticeship and Experience

Seeking new adventures and traveling to skate as much as possible. Shelldon found himself in Port Macquarie,with determination and respectful hard work he found and earned a mentor in Brett Barrington of Wildfire Tattoo. He officially began his tattoo apprenticeship on September 18, 1994 after 6 months of showing up every week with completed tasks at the request of his new teacher. 

Since then, Shelldon has been a dedicated tattooist, working exclusively in this field (aside from his many freelance art commissions in the surf and skate industry), making him a truly pure and reliable tattoo artist. With over 30 years of professional experience, Shelldon has worked in many of Australia's most iconic and premier studios. ​

Our Promise to You

If you choose to be tattooed by Shelldon, rest assured that he brings a diverse skill set and decades of experience across many techniques and styles. He goes beyond surface-level artistry, diving deep into the realms of imagination and visualization to create tattoos that are not only beautiful but also meaningful. Shelldon believes in capturing your essence and translating your personal story into a unique, personalized tattoo. By working closely with you during the initial stages, he aims to understand the core of your desired tattoo, collaboratively developing sketches face-to-face or collaborating in searching for and building the best references that best complement your vision.​

Shelldon's goal is to provide you with a creative and remarkable experience built upon your most authentic expressions.He understands that a tattoo is a powerful form of self-expression and is dedicated to helping you bring your ideas to life.With Shelldon, your tattoo will not only reflect your personality but also stand as an art piece crafted with passion and skill.​

Whether you're seeking a traditional design or a contemporary masterpiece, Shelldon has the expertise to realize your tattoo aspirations. If Shelldon sounds right for you, please explore his art and portfolio to see if his work visually appeals to your taste.​

"The art you can feel" is a respectful homage to his teacher, Brett.

Early Years

Matt’s love for art started at an early age—his earliest memories go back to sitting in front of the TV in the '90s, filling every page of his coloring books with obsessive precision. His family quickly learned that “close enough” wasn’t good enough for young Matt—every color had to stay within the lines. A perfectionist from the start, it’s no surprise that this trait would later make him a highly skilled tattoo artist.

Throughout primary and high school, Matt’s passion for art continued to flourish. Whether he was drawing caricatures of classmates or creating his own original characters, art was both fun and instinctive for him. While he didn’t feel as confident in academics or athletics, his artistic skills gave him a sense of identity and accomplishment, pushing him to refine his blending, shading, and rendering techniques to a highly polished level.

After high school, Matt pursued a bachelor’s degree in video game design, with a dream of conceptualizing characters and worlds. It was during his third year that he started exploring tattoo art online and became captivated by the craft. What started as curiosity quickly grew into obsession.

His wife recognized this passion early on, gifting him a renowned book on tattooing—one typically reserved for working artists—giving him an even deeper appreciation for the art form. With his mind set on entering the industry, Matt meticulously built a portfolio of polished designs, determined to secure an apprenticeship.

Breaking into the Industry

With a strong portfolio in hand, Matt applied for an apprenticeship at a local shop and, being the best of the bunch, landed the position immediately. Under the mentorship of veteran tattooer and gentleman Doug Mynn, he began learning the craft the right way. Like many apprentices, he worked a second job in hospitality to support his family while dedicating himself to his training.

Matt first crossed paths with Shelldon in 2018 when Shelldon moved to the area after taking a job as an artist at Skinworks, which is owned by Doug and mat had been working. This connection gave Matt the unique opportunity to learn from not just one but two seasoned tattooists, both of whom shared a strong foundation in traditional values, ethics, and craftsmanship. With over 50 years of combined experience guiding him, Matt was shaped into a skilled and reliable artist in his own right.

“Seeing Matt develop was wonderful,” says Shelldon,

A new chapter

Matts transition to Electric Hand is an exciting new chapter, and with both Doug and Shelldon’s support, he continues to push himself, always striving to grow as an artist.

Matt’s addition to the studio is great as he parts ways with Skinworks because he is a great friend and fun to have around were very happy to see mat here and were happy to say he will have both Doug and Shelldon’s support on his journey with electric hand and in all his future endeavors.

Both Matt and Shelldon greatly appreciate Doug Mynn and Skinworks Tattoo for keeping a great studio for us to work from and for his generous support and understanding in Matt’s transition to Electric Hand also for his help during the foundation of Electric Hand Tattoo.

We recommend Skinworks Tattoo Wellington Point as another great local studio.

Early Years

Quiet and quirky, Simon spent his childhood constantly creating. Whether it was drawing, dressing up, or trying to build something (more likely taking something apart), Simon’s imagination was the limit. Spending his lunchtimes at school catching up on math because he was doodling in the margins of his exercise book, Simon wrestled with priorities and finding his place in the world.

In his teen years, he turned his sights toward music, learning guitar and jamming with friends. By his early 20s, he was writing songs and gigging around Brisbane with his band ‘Klaus.’ 

Simon then devoted himself to a year at Bible college while playing in his church band and managing musicians.

Then came COVID. Housebound with friends, Simon had the controversial brilliance to order a stick-and-poke kit online. He gave himself and his friends some... let's say questionable tiny tattoos. But something clicked—he found the process deeply therapeutic. Thinking determinedly about his way in life with tattooing.

“As a self-starting artist, it can be daunting trying to figure out how to do it properly.”

Finding his Path

After lockdown, Simon was fortunate to make friends with a married couple, Sean and Chrystal, both exceptional artists proficient in tattooing. With their guidance and support, Simon found fortune and help in shaping his path. Through Sean, he soon met Shelldon, and after discussing his ambitions and the gaps between himself and a solid professional, Simon was determined to level up.

Fast-forward one year: Now licensed but uncertain of his next steps, Simon found himself at a crossroads. With Sean retired from tattooing, and Chrystal focused on their family and their private studio.

By chance (or fate), Simon and Shelldon crossed paths again.

“I did everything he advised me to do,” Simon says (pun intended). Understanding that success often requires doing what needs to be done, he took the necessary steps to qualify himself. in line with Australian tattoo requirements. 

“The next time I saw him, I let him know I was ready to join a real studio. He invited me into Electric Hand and changed my life forever.”

Apprenticeship and Experience

Simon has been tattooing at Electric Hand since August 2023. Entering the industry in his early 30s—while navigating life as a father to a three-year-old and adjusting to a fresh divorce—Simon feels like he’s finally back on track. Due to his unconventional entry into tattooing, he is considered a Junior Artist rather than a traditional apprentice.

Simon works tirelessly, putting in countless hours to refine his craft and build the skills required to mark people for life. He takes his responsibility seriously, honoring the sacred nature of tattooing while constantly seeking new challenges to improve himself.

Simon Says: Trust the Process

If you choose to be tattooed by Simon, expect a friendly smile and attentive ears. He values input from his clients, ensuring a collaborative back-and-forth process to create the perfect design.

If Simon sounds like the right fit for you, explore his art and portfolio to see if his work aligns with your vision. With Simon, your tattoo will be unique to you, carefully executed, and stand as an art piece crafted with compassion.

Whether you're after bold traditional designs or contemporary styles, Simon is ready to bring your tattoo aspirations to life.

Simon is forever grateful for the guidance along his path and remains deeply appreciative of Sean, Chrystal, and his mentor, Shelldon.

Simon says: Book in today!