Passing the Torch, 1st of December 2025

Erika Armstrong – Fuelling Tomorrow

Today, I finally started writing my book: Spilling the Tattoo Tea.

No big launch. No fireworks. That is tattooing for you: slow, steady, permanent.

While I grind through these early chapters, I am doing something that feels even more urgent. I am publishing the letter that has hung on my studio wall for nearly a decade. Word for word. Zero edits. Every single sentence still guides my daily hustle.

“I want you the reader to know, that I’ am no different from anyone else — I question my worth and who I am, and I turn to people I trust for perspective and clarity. But in an industry full of tall-poppy behaviour and far too many assholes, finding those people isn’t easy.”

Here it is, exactly as my first mentor and boss, Rob Krause, wrote it to me on 12 July 2016:

"Dear Floss, Well hello there! Wow, you totally amaze me! I am so impressed, happy, and proud that tattoo has looked after you, as you have looked after tattoo! As it always will; it is in your heart. So happy that you have made it in your life and are having a successful career. You deserve everything that it can provide. I wish there were more artists of your calibre in the trade. I am pretty well retired now, just doing oil painting and relaxing in the beautiful South Island. Dealing with the public burnt me out in the end, I think, and canvas doesn’t cause me any dramas lol. Sadly, many tattoo comrades that helped me along the way have passed on. Steve Johnson and Roger most recently, but that was an era, and you are on the next one. There are so many good people in this game, so don’t let the negative ones affect you, or the politics upset your mission. Just keep on doing what you are! I look forward to reading your book; bet it’s a great yarn coloured with your humour and honesty, and I look forward to seeing more of your work published. Your website is great, and I wish you well for your move.

Good on you, girl.

Love, Rob Krause."

Rob was my first real mentor, and I’m still thankful for his compassion and straight-talking support. I’d also like to acknowledge some of the industry positives who helped shape me: Rob Krause, and Noel Messer (Talisman Tattoo, Te Atatu), who gave every hungry kid a real shot — including me. Noel’s still going strong in Spokane, and I can’t wait until we’re back at a convention together.

In memory of the lost legends who shaped my world.

• Phil Mathias – College Hill, Auckland. As young ones we’d save for weeks just to get tattooed there. He was always encouraging.

• Steve Johnson – City of Ink, Christchurch. NZ’s most awarded artist. Gone too soon in 2011.

• Roger Ingerton – Roger’s Tattoo Art, Cuba Street. Opened in 1977. His work & rep still walks the streets.

• Merv O’Connor – Auckland’s Granddaddy of tattooing.

• Blair – Takapuna. Tattooed my first ever tattoo!

  
  

These pioneers pushed the industry forward and challenged the old stigma, allowing us to actually call this a career.

Rob once wrote: “There are so many good people in this game, so don’t let the negative ones affect you, or the politics upset your mission. Just keep on doing what you are.”I still feel like that young, impressionable artist who wanted to do right by him. So today, while I write this book, I’m proud to say I’m still keeping that promise.

Spilling the Tattoo Tea is the words of wisdom I wish I’d had — the business knowledge and hard truths beyond what they handed me. And if I don’t pass this down properly, who will?

Most people remember their tattoo artist. We leave a permanent mark, and clients save their hard-earned money to spend with us. They deserve a good experience, not industry chaos. The next era is here.

We carve the path, and we pass it down.

That’s the unwritten rule.

Who was your mentor?

Who do you look up to?

Who had your back when you were starting out?

We all need someone.

x Erika “Floss” Armstrong

Tag the old-school legend who changed your path.

Let’s keep their names loud.

Spilling the Tattoo Tea - Coming soon