Hey—I’m English Cousins (not a stage-name), and I’m a Nashville-based tattooer and artist that’s been making tattoos for over a decade.

My favorite thing is to take subject matter long associated with tattooing, and to draw it from my own perspective. It’s always my aim to maintain the magic and impact that made the imagery iconic to begin with, while contributing something of my own. Tattooing affords me the unique opportunity to meet and connect with a wide array of people, and I feel so blessed to get to share my art in the process!

English owns Pilgrimage Tattoo in East Nashville alongside her husband and fellow tattooer, Christopher.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • All of my tattoos are original designs; I’m not taking on artistic reproductions at this time. Here’s a list (not at all intended to be exhaustive) of some things that get me excited! -

    Tattoo Imagery:

    • Ladies

    • Big Cats

    • Wolves

    • Snakes

    • Birds

    • Victorian Hands

    • Skulls

    Japanese Imagery (real or mythical):

    • Dragons

    • Kitsune

    • Noh Masks

    • Japanese Florals

    • Japanese Nature Themes

    Ornamental Pieces:

    • Mehndi Inspired

    • Thick Blackwork

    Botanicals are great, but I especially love plants AND:

    • Plants and an Animal

    • Plants and a Lady

    • Plants and a Vase

    • ...you get the picture

  • Most of my work is neotraditional. I utilize American traditional design components such as black linework and black shading, but my drawing style is a bit more refined, and I use a more expansive color palette. When tackling Japanese subject matter, I take notes either from Japanese tattooing or Japanese paintings/woodblock prints to guide my design and application choices.

  • Tattoos are priced according to the size, level of detail, and time they take to complete. Generally, my rate is $200/hr, but I offer a flat rate of $1100 for full-day sessions. I have a two hour minimum for all projects that I take on.

  • I am open to taking on tattoo and scar coverups, so long as the proposed idea will be effective. Photos of the area must be submitted for consideration (please refer to the Photo Guide below for guidance) Scars need to be at least a year old to tattoo. Tattoo cover ups are most successful when approached in color, and when the new tattoo is 2-3 times larger than the tattoo being covered. Best results are achieved when tattoo coverups are approached in two sessions with a month of heal-time in between.

    *Photos should be well-lit and taken by a friend or with a self-timer. No mirror shots/selfies, please. Please include a close up and a further away shot of the area you are looking to be tattooed. If showcasing a tattoo/scar to be covered, or a space between tattoos that you are looking to fill, please include a photo of the location with a measuring tape held beside the area so that I may get an idea of proportion.

  • I open my books 2-3 times a year, and close them again when I’m at capacity. The best way to stay in the loop is to join my mailing list. I promise I won’t blow up your inbox, but I will send announcements regarding books reopening and info required for your application submission. You can also follow me on Instagram (@EngLikeTheLang).

  • I don’t have a waiting list as I always try to shift ongoing projects into vacated spots, BUT last minute openings/cancellations will be sent to those on my mailing list, and will be posted to my Instagram Stories (@EngLikeTheLang).

  • Designs will be ready by the day of your tattoo appointment, and will be presented at that time. If any minor adjustments need to be made, there will be an opportunity to do so before we begin. In some cases, parts of the design may be drawn directly on, but you will have an opportunity to see and approve both design and composition before committing to skin.

  • If you change the idea/subject matter without adequate communication prior to the appointment, your appointment may need to be rescheduled. This will forfeit your initial deposit, and will require a new deposit to rebook. The submission of a new idea grants me the right to walk away/refer you to another artist if I feel as though I am not the right fit for the new piece.