CHLOE RUFFIN
(RUFFIN.TATTOO)
OWner of Tree Haven Tattoo
The Journey
My Style & My Interests
I’m inspired by all mediums of creative expression. From film, music, architecture and fashion to classical art and the Great Masters, I’ve always been moved by the many ways stories, ideas, and emotions can be conveyed through art. Much of my inspiration also comes from the natural world and the cosmos, alongside a lifelong love of science fiction, fantasy, history and mythology. These influences continually shape my imagination and the way I approach both my personal artwork and my tattooing.
My own artistic style is constantly evolving, with a focus on colour, fine detail, and visual storytelling. I love creating artwork that invites people to look a little closer, discovering new details and layers of meaning within a piece. Whether the subject matter is grounded in nature or completely imagined, I enjoy finding ways to create work that feels personal and unique for the client.
This approach naturally carries over into my tattooing. I have a particular passion for neo-traditional and illustrative black and grey styles, where I can combine a client’s ideas to create tattoos that are visually striking and complementary to the flow of the human body. Composition, contrast, readability, and movement are all key considerations in my design process, especially when planning large-scale projects such as sleeves and back pieces. I often implement freehand techniques to create more dynamic impact in large scale work.
With 10 years of professional tattooing experience across a wide range of styles, I have developed a versatile skill set and a strong understanding of the core artistic principles and technical foundations that make a tattoo successful. Whether it’s a small meaningful piece or a large custom project, I bring the same level of enthusiasm, attention to detail, and creative curiosity to every tattoo I create.
How Tattooing Found Me
Art has been a constant in my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was always drawing and creating, inspired in part by my dad, who painted large scale ocean-themed oil paintings. Throughout high school, I immersed myself in graphic design, fine art, and fashion design while trying to figure out where my creativity would take me. During that time, one of my illustrations was selected for my graduating class of 2009 jumper, and a custom suit I designed and sewed was chosen for exhibition in Melbourne Museum’s Top Designs showcase.
After school, I went on to study fashion design at RMIT. While I still love fashion, it was during my studies and an internship with a large commercial brand that I realised it wasn’t the right path for me. Leaving my degree early was a difficult decision, but I knew I was searching for something different.
Over the following years, I worked in retail and hospitality while continuing to draw and create in my spare time. It was actually my brother who first suggested I look into tattooing. At first, the idea seemed far-fetched, but the more I thought about it, the more it felt like the perfect combination of art, creativity, and connection with people.
Breaking into the industry wasn’t easy. I faced plenty of rejection while searching for an apprenticeship around Melbourne, but eventually, after moving back to the Mornington Peninsula, I was given an opportunity at a studio in Frankston. There, I gained experience working in a fast-paced environment, tattooing a wide range of styles and learning the realities of the industry.
What I love most about tattooing isn’t just the artwork—it’s the people. Every tattoo has a story behind it, and being trusted to bring someone’s idea to life is something I never take for granted. Looking back, tattooing wasn’t a career I planned from the start, but it turned out to be exactly where I was meant to be.
One unexpected thing tattooing brought into my life was my partner, Trent. We worked together for a couple of years at that first tattoo studio and quickly became close friends. There was always a connection there, but neither of us wanted to risk disrupting our working environment, so we kept things strictly platonic for quite some time.
Eventually, Trent worked up the courage to ask me out, and my answer was a resounding yes. Not long after, we took another leap together and opened our own studio. We wanted to create a space that felt welcoming, supportive, and genuinely aligned with our values as artists and business owners. Building that environment together has been one of the most rewarding parts of my tattooing journey. We make an incredible team, both in life and in business, and that partnership continues to be one of my greatest sources of support and inspiration.
Book via email
ruffintattoo@outlook.com