Helen was already familiar with the procedures, safety, and equipment required to do tattoos due to some of her friends being in the inking business. Since then, she has inked many other people with her signature scribbles which have gone on to become popular among her circle and beyond.
Helen decided to open her own Instagram page dedicated to the art, naming it Malfeitona – Portuguese for ‘badly done’. And fans can’t get enough. The Malfeitona account has amassed more than 70,000 followers who tune in to see Helen’s latest dodgy doodles.
‘I never want to draw realism. It was really something that I like to do because it makes me happy and makes people happy. ‘I never thought I could be an artist. My parents had struggled a lot in life so they thought art careers are for rich people that have connections.’
Helen explains how she started embracing her unique style and now teaches art classes as an illustrator. But she still finds the time to upload her latest creations on Instagram and doesn’t just stick to tattoos to show off her work.
She has been featured on tattoo publications and her work is loved all over social media. ‘I think my customers are captivated by the cuteness or fun. They get so happy, like, they smile when they look at it. Maybe it’s nice to feel it daily and forever.