Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylene Padayachy.
Hi Kaylene, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started tattooing in 2019. It wasn’t something I had always planned on doing. At the time, I was still trying to figure out what direction I wanted to take in life. Art had always been a big part of who I was, so when I was introduced to tattooing, I decided to give it a try. I learnt the basics, taught myself a lot along the way, and gradually built my skills and my name as an artist. Today, seven years later, I’m still growing, learning, and pushing myself to become better at what I do.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not. My journey has had its fair share of challenges, both personally and professionally. My first year of tattooing was when COVID hit, and I went from working at a studio to tattooing out of my garage and figuring things out on my own. I also went through a car accident early in my journey, along with personal struggles that tested me in ways I never expected.
There have been times when things felt overwhelming, and life didn’t always go according to plan. But I’ve learnt that not every season is meant to be easy, and sometimes you just have to trust the process and keep showing up, even when you can’t see how everything is going to work out. My faith has played a big role in that. I believe in putting God first, trusting His timing, and having faith that there’s a purpose even in the difficult seasons. I’ve learnt not to give up just because things get hard, and to keep working towards becoming a better person and artist every day. Looking back, I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learnt along the way, because they’ve helped shape who I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a female tattoo artist specialising mainly in black and grey realism, with a growing focus on larger, more detailed pieces. Over the years, I’ve continued to develop my style and push myself creatively to improve my work.
What I’m most proud of is how far I’ve come and the name I’ve built for myself over the years. Starting out, I never imagined I’d be where I am today, and being able to do what I love while connecting with people through my work means a lot to me.
I think what sets me apart is the way I treat my clients. I’m a very patient person, and I genuinely care about making sure my clients feel heard and comfortable throughout the process. I always try to go the extra mile where I can, because for me, it’s not just about creating a tattoo. It’s about the entire experience and making sure the person leaves happy with something they’ll carry with them for the rest of their life.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success isn’t just about money, recognition, or how far my name reaches. It’s about being grateful for where I am while continuing to grow into the person and artist I want to be. It’s about being able to do what I love, make people happy through my work, and know that I’m giving my best.
I also believe that success looks different for everyone, and I’m learning to appreciate my own journey without comparing it to anyone else’s. I put God first and trust that His timing for my life is what it’s meant to be. For me, being able to look back and see how far I’ve come, knowing everything I’ve overcome along the way, is already a blessing in itself. I still have so much I want to achieve, but I’m grateful for every step that has brought me here.
Pricing:
- Micro tattoos – R750
- Half day – R4500
- Full day – R6500
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylene.ink
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kaylene.ink
