Solace Barnaby, a Year 12 Djarragun College student and Cape York Partnership school-based trainee, recently began a four-day work experience placement at Pins and Needles Tattoo Studio in Trinity Beach.

The placement was arranged to align with her long-term goal of becoming a tattoo artist.

Ms Barnaby is supported by the Schools to Jobs (S2J) program.

Her school-based traineeship with the Cape York Partnership Communications team focuses on communications and marketing skills.

She has been developing content creation, writing, social media and design.

The work experience offered practical studio exposure while she continued to build her skills as a young creative.

Ms Barnaby said the chance to work in a professional studio was unexpected.

"Being given this opportunity to work at the studio, even for a short time, was an experience I didn't expect to be given," she said.

"I'm extremely grateful to Schools to Jobs, my manager and the studio owner, Tayah Armstrong-Ryan for organising it and bringing me that step closer to becoming a tattoo artist."

On the first day, Ms Barnaby learned how the studio operates and met the resident artists.

She observed how staff prepare the space, manage bookings and support clients through each step.

A key moment came when she watched an artist tattoo a client from stencil to finished piece.

Seeing each stage gave her a clearer view of how designs translate to skin.

Ms Barnaby said close observation of the process was valuable.

"Watching the artists work up close was a really interesting," she said.

"I really enjoyed watching the whole process from sketching the design to the tattooing itself."

Over the following days, Ms Barnaby developed her own flash sheets and reviewed collections of original designs.

She experimented with styles, linework and shading before drafting more detailed pieces, refining her approach with feedback from the studio's artists.

Between drawing sessions, she observed professional practice, including client preparation, tattooing and finishing.

She was given a supervised trial using professional equipment on synthetic skin.

Ms Barnaby said the hands-on session strengthened her commitment.

"It may not have been real skin but being able to get hands on with the professional equipment has made my passion stronger," Ms Barnaby said.

On the final day, Ms Barnaby presented studio owner Tayah Armstrong-Ryan with a print of her artworks as thanks.

She continued to design during the day, sketching a custom tattoo concept and refining details with input from the artists and asked about the pathway to becoming a professional tattooist, including training, equipment and licensing.

The placement concluded with an offer from Ms Armstrong-Ryan to give Ms Barnaby a small tattoo as a keepsake and encouragement.

Ms Barnaby said ongoing support from her school and program has made a difference.

"School to Jobs, Djarragun College and Cape York Partnership have always supported my dreams of becoming a tattoo artist," Ms Barnaby said.

"It's something I'll always be thankful for and remember well past my traineeship.

"I doubt I would have been offered any opportunities like this from anywhere else."