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BY KATHLEEN MAXIM
EAST COAST INK MAGAZINE
Tattoo aficionados may know her for her visually
stunning elaborate owls. There’s no mistaking an
Annie owl. Every owl is intricately detailed, unique
and custom designed for its recipient.
Annie began tattooing professionally in 2004. This
fast learner was thrown into the industry when she
moved to Raleigh, NC from Berlin, Germany.
Not knowing what kind of job she could land with
her German degrees in English, Mass
Communications and Film Science, she was
informed by a friend that a tattoo shop was in
need of an apprentice.
Her love of art compelled her to accept an
apprenticeship, and her journey into the world of
tattooing began.
Learning to tattoo was no small feat despite Annie’
s background in art.
“I thought tattooing would be easy, because I have
always been drawing and painting.
I didn’t realize that tattooing was so different from
any other form of art I had ever tried.
I was lucky to have a few good mentors and
friends who put me on the right track and showed
me some of their tricks.
I also believe that painting in watercolor was a big
help. It made my hand more steady and gave me
a better understanding for shading and color.”
Annie specializes in distinctive vivid pieces.
Stylization is her forte.
Every owl tattoo is a meticulously designed
innovative creation.
Each bird of prey possesses its own unique
characteristics and develops its own personality.
Once people saw her owls they became popular
and the demand for them came quickly.
So how does Annie determine what type of owl is
right for each person?
“I have been trying to get people to come up with
a general theme for their owl. Once that is done I
ask them to make a little list with words they
associate with that basic theme, and then I go
from there.
I think it’s really important to communicate with my
customers and to discuss what might and might
not be a good idea. So far that approach has
worked pretty well.”
Annie’s prolific experience tattooing owls will be
documented in an upcoming book.
The book will include vibrant images as well as
stories about several of the owls. In addition, owl
owners will contribute original creative material
illuminating the lives and personalities of the
creatures.
“More and more people came to me to get owls,
because they had seen some of the ones I had
done already. The owls became more and more
personal, people wanted to incorporate their jobs,
hobbies or just silly things they really like. So I
figured, why not make a book out of it.
I am going to try and dedicate two pages to each
owl, one page for the actual owl tattoo and the
other page is for the owl “owner” to do as they
please with.” says Annie.
They were asked to come up with names for their
little owls and then “Decorate” the page to their
own liking. They can write stories, poems, songs,
put pictures up; whatever they want, as long as it
is not offensive.
“I figured doing a book like that will be fun and
entertaining.”
Annie’s goal is to create fifty two unique owls.
Annie’s keen on the number fifty two since there
are fifty two weeks in a year.
Her first owl was done in 2006, and so far she’s at
number twenty. She’s not sure how long it will take
her to get to number fifty two, but at the pace she’
s going now it shouldn’t be long. Annie’s goals are
simple but true.
“I would like to keep growing as an artist, of
course. Hopefully travel the country, do guest
spots, watch other amazing tattoo artists work. I
am lucky enough to have a job I truly care for. So
that’s good. Other than that, I would just like to be
happy. Spend time with the people I care for and
enjoy life.”
Want to be part of Annie’s owl project? Check her
out at Phoenix Tattoo in Raleigh. She’d love to
see you!
EAST COAST INK MAGAZINE
Tattoo aficionados may know her for her visually
stunning elaborate owls. There’s no mistaking an
Annie owl. Every owl is intricately detailed, unique
and custom designed for its recipient.
Annie began tattooing professionally in 2004. This
fast learner was thrown into the industry when she
moved to Raleigh, NC from Berlin, Germany.
Not knowing what kind of job she could land with
her German degrees in English, Mass
Communications and Film Science, she was
informed by a friend that a tattoo shop was in
need of an apprentice.
Her love of art compelled her to accept an
apprenticeship, and her journey into the world of
tattooing began.
Learning to tattoo was no small feat despite Annie’
s background in art.
“I thought tattooing would be easy, because I have
always been drawing and painting.
I didn’t realize that tattooing was so different from
any other form of art I had ever tried.
I was lucky to have a few good mentors and
friends who put me on the right track and showed
me some of their tricks.
I also believe that painting in watercolor was a big
help. It made my hand more steady and gave me
a better understanding for shading and color.”
Annie specializes in distinctive vivid pieces.
Stylization is her forte.
Every owl tattoo is a meticulously designed
innovative creation.
Each bird of prey possesses its own unique
characteristics and develops its own personality.
Once people saw her owls they became popular
and the demand for them came quickly.
So how does Annie determine what type of owl is
right for each person?
“I have been trying to get people to come up with
a general theme for their owl. Once that is done I
ask them to make a little list with words they
associate with that basic theme, and then I go
from there.
I think it’s really important to communicate with my
customers and to discuss what might and might
not be a good idea. So far that approach has
worked pretty well.”
Annie’s prolific experience tattooing owls will be
documented in an upcoming book.
The book will include vibrant images as well as
stories about several of the owls. In addition, owl
owners will contribute original creative material
illuminating the lives and personalities of the
creatures.
“More and more people came to me to get owls,
because they had seen some of the ones I had
done already. The owls became more and more
personal, people wanted to incorporate their jobs,
hobbies or just silly things they really like. So I
figured, why not make a book out of it.
I am going to try and dedicate two pages to each
owl, one page for the actual owl tattoo and the
other page is for the owl “owner” to do as they
please with.” says Annie.
They were asked to come up with names for their
little owls and then “Decorate” the page to their
own liking. They can write stories, poems, songs,
put pictures up; whatever they want, as long as it
is not offensive.
“I figured doing a book like that will be fun and
entertaining.”
Annie’s goal is to create fifty two unique owls.
Annie’s keen on the number fifty two since there
are fifty two weeks in a year.
Her first owl was done in 2006, and so far she’s at
number twenty. She’s not sure how long it will take
her to get to number fifty two, but at the pace she’
s going now it shouldn’t be long. Annie’s goals are
simple but true.
“I would like to keep growing as an artist, of
course. Hopefully travel the country, do guest
spots, watch other amazing tattoo artists work. I
am lucky enough to have a job I truly care for. So
that’s good. Other than that, I would just like to be
happy. Spend time with the people I care for and
enjoy life.”
Want to be part of Annie’s owl project? Check her
out at Phoenix Tattoo in Raleigh. She’d love to
see you!
| ANNIE FRENZEL |
| BIRDS OF PREY WITH PERSONALITY |
annie frenzel
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