WINNIPEG — Metamorphosis Body Art has been in the heart of the Exchange District for 18 years. At this tattoo shop, the ink runs more than skin deep- it’s in their blood.
“Lots of people say they have their work family, but I have my family as my work family,” Nadine Mitchell, tattoo artist and co-owner of Metamorphosis said.
Nadine started the shop with her mother Dianne Matt. Her two sisters also work at the location. For Dianne, it was a complete career change after working as a nurse for years.
“It was kind of comical, because all my life I had such a responsible position,” Matt said. “When I told my children they thought it was hilarious.”
Matt co-owns the shop but also does piercings. She said it’s a skill that came naturally after nursing taught her how to keep clients calm, and the process clean.
“Cleanliness and sterilization and all that, that wasn’t an issue for me,” Matt said.
Another interesting fact about this body art shop is that it’s made up almost entirely of a female staff.
“In the past tattoos might have been a male dominated thing,” Mitchell said. “But you will probably find a female artist at every shop now.”
Metamorphosis also prides itself on is the number of new people they train to work in the industry.
“I’ve trained quite a few people,” Mitchell said. “I’ve trained six women who are still tattooing and have their own businesses.”
The shop aims to empower women but they also serve clients from all different backgrounds. Many of them don’t blink twice at their predominately female staff, or the age of the co-owner.
“I thought at first that people would think I was too old and that was 18 years ago and they still don’t seem to think that,” Matt said. “It’s really nice.”
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