Job title: Tattoo artist and fine art artist.

Employer: I’m self employed. My business name is Craig Hamilton Art and I run and own a tattoo studio and art studio gallery.

Age: 50.

Where are you from? I am from Carlisle originally and moved to the west coast of Cumbria in January 2000.

Where do you live now? Workington.

Where do you work? I work in Cleator Moor. I opened my new business in May 2016. I’ve developed a tattoo studio and fine art business.

With the fine art side of my business I specialise in portrait art which I find the most exciting, capturing the life force, personality and narrative of someone is such a challenge and very satisfying.

How long have you done this job? I’ve been a fine art artist for around 10 years, focusing on portraits and commissioned work. I use oil paint as my medium which I feel moves best for my style and remains transparent and bright through out my work.

I’ve been a tattoo artist for around six years. The tattoo industry is such a satisfying and complex industry, from new commissioned work to helping someone with a cover up.

I love to see the excitement and satisfaction on a customers face when they see their new art work for the first time in the mirror.

Take us through a typical day: This is what I love about my career as an artist - every day is different.

On a weekly basis I’ll carry out consultation and design appointments with existing and new tattoo customers. I tattoo four days a week and develop my fine art business the rest of the week, but every day brings a new challenge and keeps my job fresh and interesting.

What do you like most about your job? I love being an artist all day every day, from creating bespoke tattoos to completing a unique fine art piece. It’s a career I’ve dreamed about for years.

What do you like the least? It’s gonna sound corny but I love everything about my new career. Being a full-time artist has no down side.

If there was to be a negative, sometimes people have a negative view towards me being a tattoo artist and forget I’m also a fine art artist. Regardless of whether you’re a tattooist, painter, sculptor etc. it’s all art.

Why did you want to do this job? I’ve loved art and drawing ever since I was a kid so it was a long time dream and ambition to turn it into my career and do something I’m so passionate about.

What jobs have you done previously? When I left school I become a PGA professional golfer and I stayed in this industry for 23 years.

In the year 2000 I owned and developed Whitehaven Golf Club.

After selling my business in 2005 I pursued a career in the car retail industry until 2016.

That was when I opened my tattoo and art studio.

What qualifications or experience do you need? I guess you need a good eye for detail and a real love and passion for art.

What is a typical salary for this job? Because it’s not a salaried position and it depends how many clients or pieces of art I sell, the earnings fluctuate.

Any advice for people wanting to get into your profession? Follow your dreams, don’t listen to anyone who says you can’t and have high standards - quality wins every time.

And for any budding artists out there, the key to good art is to learn to look and see. Plenty of people look at their subject matter but don’t see the detail.