Our Artists
Spot
Sean is the founder of Darkhorse Initiative and Walk-ins Welcome Bar. An artist his entire life, he studied classical painting, art history and architecture before finding his home in tattooing. In 2006, Spot moved to Australia to further his career opportunities and build skills in tattooing. He has traveled the world and tattooed abroad, but found a home opening the Darkhorse Initiative in 2017, building a studio known for quality work, good times and a strong sense of community. In 2023, he expanded the vision with Walk-ins Welcome Bar, creating a place where everyone feels at home.
Sean’s tattooing is recognised for its clean application, bold designs and intricate detail. While he gravitates toward black and grey work, he excels with colour pieces and has built a reputation as a versatile artist capable of bringing a wide range of ideas to life. Over the years he has won multiple tattoo awards, published a book, painted murals, completed commissioned portrait work, created art concepts for film and continued to push his creativity across different mediums.
A lifelong fan of horror films, comic books, pop culture and cinema, Sean draws inspiration from the stories, characters and imagery that shaped him growing up. Above all else, he’s a proud father of two and remains passionate about creating artwork that people will wear and enjoy for life.
Nina
Nina is a mother of two boys, a passionate sports enthusiast, and an experienced tattoo artist with over 15 years in the industry.
Born and raised in Austria, she moved to Australia in 2020 and has continued to pursue her passion for tattooing ever since. Known for her attention to detail and commitment to quality, Nina takes pride in creating custom tattoos that are both meaningful and expertly crafted.
She is dedicated to providing a welcoming and professional experience for every client, helping bring their ideas to life through artwork they can wear with confidence for years to come.
Matt
Matt, or Mustard to most who know him, started tattooing at Darkhorse Initiative on the sunny Gold Coast in 2019. Since then, he’s built a solid portfolio across a range of styles, though his heart definitely leans toward bold, classic traditional colour work.
A fan of classic cars, pop culture, gaming, and generally having a good time, Mustard brings the same energy into his tattooing — creating strong, clean work with plenty of personality behind it. Whether it’s a timeless traditional piece or something a little left of centre, he’s all about making tattoos that look good and last!
Tyler
Tyler is a second-year tattoo apprentice at Darkhorse Initiative with a lifelong passion for art. After completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at QUT in 2021, she continued her creative journey through portrait and figurative painting while also working as an art tutor at the Gold Coast Art School. Inspired by the connection between art and people, Tyler loves creating meaningful tattoos and is particularly drawn to colour and illustrative work, taking influence from American Traditional, Japanese and classical art. With a deep appreciation for tattoo history and culture, she is focused on learning a wide range of styles as she continues to grow as a tattoo artist.
Sarah
Sarah is a first-year tattoo apprentice with passion for art and the history of tattooing. After studying art throughout school and TAFE, she explored a range of creative paths before discovering her love for tattooing through collecting tattoos of her own.
Currently learning the foundations of the craft and exploring iconic tattoos styles and eras, Sarah is excited to turn her lifelong love of art into something permanent and meaningful for her clients.
Amber
Amber is the founder of Cherry Bomb PMU and a passionate artist with a background spanning both healthcare and beauty. After spending more than 12 years in pharmacy, she followed her creative calling, training as a professional makeup artist and working across weddings, formals and special events before finding her niche in permanent makeup.
Specialising in ombré brows and lip blush, Amber is known for creating soft, natural results that enhance her clients’ features without looking overdone. Her artistic eye, attention to detail and focus on natural beauty have helped her build a loyal client base who trust her to deliver confidence-boosting results.
A devoted mother with a fun and uplifting personality, Amber loves helping people feel their best and brings positive energy to every appointment.