Hidden Stories Tattoo

The Quiet Art of Your Hidden Story

My name is Sophie a.k.a. Phoenix. My path to this chair wasn’t found in a typical tattoo studio, but beside the fire. For a decade, I stood at the edge of the coals, tending the flames for those seeking transformation. That time taught me a fundamental truth: when someone is ready to change their story, they don’t need noise, they need a safe space to return to themselves.

I carry that same responsibility into every tattoo I create.

Sophie Gourlay, fine line tattoo artist and founder of Hidden Stories Tattoo, framed by a botanical sunflower logo on a dark background.

Sophie a.k.a. Phoenix

The Queer Skin-gineer

Whether I am working on a delicate fine line botanical or a tiny, hidden symbol, I am not just an artist for hire. I am the skin-gineer of your story.

To me, a tattoo is more than just ink on skin. It is an identity, it is a story held in skin. It is a story you’ve survived, or something you finally wish to hold close. I call my work Hidden Stories because I believe we all carry an internal map of who we have been and who we are becoming. My role is simply to help you make that map visible.

My Approach

I specialise in fine line and tiny tattoos because I find beauty in the subtle and the precise. I know that the world can often feel loud and over-stimulating, so I have created a space where everyone is welcome and can settle.
When you sit in my chair, the focus is entirely on your comfort and the meaning behind the art. I found my own first tattoo experience so relaxing that I regularly drift toward sleep when I’m being tattooed myself. I want to bring that same sense of peace and regulation to your session.
Whether we work in a “Quiet Session” or share the story behind your design, I treat every piece of art as a moment made permanent, crafted by a skin-gineer, worn by you

– Sophie (Skin-gineer)
Close-up photography showing delicate fine line floral tattoo details and precise black ink on skin, featuring intricate leaves and stippled shading.
Delicate fine line floral shoulder tattoo by Sophie Gourlay at Hidden Stories Tattoo, showing intricate botanical detail in a minimalist black and white style.