Meet Tattly Artist Camille Chew

Camille Chew is a printmaker and illustrator whose work focuses on themes of mythology, witchcraft, and the occult. She is the illustrator of the books Basic Witches, The Astrology of You and Me, and the newly released Modern Witch Wall Calendar. 

This week, we’re celebrating the release of her Good Luck Charm Tattly. Learn more about her work and inspiration below. 

Hey, Camille! Tell us a little about your latest Tattly, Good Luck Charm.

The design began as an illustration about how the fingers-crossed hand gesture can be used both in a very positive way — to wish yourself or someone else good luck, and in a more negative way — to indicate that what you’re saying is a lie. This is, of course, the more positive hand from that illustration, covered with symbols for good luck.

Have you ever considered being a real tattoo artist?

I often make illustrations that work well for tattoos. I’ve even had several people get my art tattooed themselves. My drawings of hands are a very popular choice! But I wouldn’t want to become a tattoo artist myself. I’d be too nervous putting a permanent piece of art onto someone!

For now I’ll be sticking with with digital illustration and printmaking; I’ll be going to grad school for printmaking at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) this fall, while I continue to work as a freelance illustrator.

Tell us a little about your fascination with the occult. Do you practice as a witch yourself?

Though I’m very inspired by magic and witches in my art, I don’t practice witchcraft myself. I mostly relate to the views on it described in the book Basic Witches, a favorite illustration project I’ve worked on. The authors, Jaya Saxena and Jess Zimmerman, often use spell work and rituals as forms of self-care.

Thanks, Camille! See all of her designs here.