Som Nakburin, famously known as Miss Orange, is a distinguished tattoo artist who has carved a unique niche in the vibrant Sydney tattoo scene. Hailing from Thailand and now based at the renowned Little Tokyo studio in Sydney, Australia, Miss Orange has captivated the tattoo world with her distinctive oriental style. Her work is a sophisticated blend of the intricate artistry of traditional Chinese art and the minimalist elegance of Japanese tattooing, infused with a contemporary Western flair. This fusion has culminated in a personal visual language that is both deeply rooted in tradition and refreshingly innovative.
Miss Orange showcasing her intricate oriental tattoo art at Little Tokyo Studio in Sydney
The Sweet Origin of “Miss Orange”
The moniker “Miss Orange” is not just a catchy artist name; it’s a deeply personal connection to Som Nakburin’s upbringing. Born and raised in the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, her family owned an orange farm. “Som” in Thai translates directly to “orange,” a detail her parents lovingly incorporated into her name from birth. This origin story adds a layer of personal meaning to her artistic identity, subtly hinting at the vibrancy and natural artistry that characterizes her tattoo work, even if her tattoos aren’t always literally Orange Tattoos in color.
From Teenage Rebellion to Artistic University
Som’s journey into tattooing began in her teenage years, fueled by a rebellious spirit and a fascination with heavily tattooed individuals. She recalls the allure of a local tattoo shop, Plaitattoo, near her childhood home. An early experience of accompanying her sister to get tattooed ignited a passion that would shape her future. Despite initial parental disapproval of an art career, Som’s determination led her to enroll in the Faculty of Art at Rajabhat Valayaalongkorn University. This university, known for its strong fine arts program encompassing oil painting, sculpture, and landscape art, provided her with a foundational art education. She found unexpected joy in the structured learning environment, crediting her university teacher, Mr. Amorn, for profound artistic influence and the invaluable advice to “Never stop creating art,” regardless of life’s ups and downs. This period was transformative, allowing her to explore large-scale paintings and solidify her commitment to a life of art.
Miss Orange during her university years, experimenting with large-scale painting techniques.
Weaving Together Oriental Tattoo Traditions
Miss Orange’s tattoo style is distinctly “oriental,” a term she uses to describe her fusion of traditional Chinese and Japanese tattoo art with a touch of Western contemporary aesthetics. Growing up in a Chinese-Thai household provided her with an inherent connection to these artistic roots. She meticulously researches Asian art, literature, and history to inform her designs, often seeking out overlooked details and unique perspectives. This dedication to research is a cornerstone of her creative process, ensuring each tattoo is not only visually stunning but also conceptually rich and culturally nuanced. Her style is not just imitation; it’s a thoughtful evolution of these traditions into something uniquely her own.
A detailed example of Miss Orange's oriental tattoo style, showcasing delicate lines and cultural motifs.
Feminine Elegance and Color Harmony
A hallmark of Miss Orange’s work is its feminine and elegant aesthetic. She is drawn to tattooing human faces, particularly female figures, and excels at capturing subtle emotions through facial expressions, especially the eyes. Her designs are intentionally straightforward and accessible, avoiding unnecessary complexity. While her subjects often possess soft, feminine features, she employs strong, selective color palettes, sometimes opting for striking blackwork or strategically using key accent colors. Her color inspiration ranges from Japanese Ukiyoe prints to the color contrasts found in Art Nouveau and even everyday observations like the color pairings in window and door frames. She meticulously reduces the intensity of colors, avoiding direct, raw hues to achieve a refined and harmonious finish.
Close-up of a feminine tattoo by Miss Orange, highlighting her delicate linework and soft color palette.
Technique as Intuition
Miss Orange doesn’t adhere to a rigid tattooing technique, emphasizing intuition and experience developed over a decade of practice. She maintains consistency in her equipment, preferring to master her tools rather than constantly switching them. Her primary focus lies in the planning phase: carefully selecting needle sizes, line weights, design composition, step-by-step execution, and the overall color scheme. This meticulous planning, combined with her muscle memory and artistic instinct, allows for a fluid and adaptable tattooing process, ensuring each piece is executed with precision and artistry.
Miss Orange concentrating on her work, demonstrating her focused and intuitive tattooing technique.
Embracing Both Small and Large Canvases
While proficient in both small and large-scale tattoos, Miss Orange expresses a preference for moderate-sized pieces, such as A4 size works that can be completed within one or two sessions. However, she also embraces the challenges and rewards of larger projects like full back pieces, sleeves, and leg tattoos. These extensive sessions, while demanding, offer opportunities to build rapport with clients and sometimes forge lasting friendships. She emphasizes that she dedicates full effort to every tattoo, regardless of size. The balance between smaller and larger projects allows her to manage the mental demands of large-scale work, with smaller pieces providing a welcome change of pace and creative rhythm.
A medium-sized tattoo by Miss Orange, showcasing her ability to create impactful art in a single session.
The Divergent Paths of Tattooing and Painting
Miss Orange distinguishes sharply between tattooing and painting, viewing painting as an unbound, therapeutic practice free from the constraints inherent in tattooing. For her, painting exists solely for the canvas, without the need to consider how it will translate onto skin. This separation allows for uninhibited creative exploration in her paintings. However, when designing tattoo flash, she adopts a different approach, ensuring the designs are visually compelling both on paper and as body art. This duality showcases her versatility and her understanding of the unique demands of each medium.
Miss Orange working on a painting, highlighting her exploration of art beyond the tattoo medium.
Sydney’s Collaborative Tattoo Community
According to Miss Orange, the Sydney tattoo scene is characterized by a sense of individual artistry and mutual respect. Artists are largely focused on their own clientele and artistic paths, fostering a non-competitive yet collaborative environment. Working in a private studio like Little Tokyo, with its established system, allows artists to concentrate on their craft and client interactions without external pressures. She notes that while Sydney may have fewer tattoo studios compared to a place like Thailand, the emphasis is on individual responsibility and artistic integrity, allowing artists to sustain long and fulfilling careers.
Miss Orange in her studio at Little Tokyo, Sydney, a space fostering creativity and individual artistic expression.
Future Artistic Horizons
Looking ahead, Miss Orange envisions launching a sketchbook and holding her own art exhibition. She is actively compiling her artwork and paintings, patiently building a collection substantial enough for a book release. These aspirations reflect her ongoing commitment to both tattooing and broader artistic expression, solidifying her position as a multifaceted artist with a promising future.
Miss Orange contemplating future projects, with sketches hinting at her upcoming sketchbook release.
Lockdown Reflections and Wanderlust
Reflecting on the Sydney lockdown period, Miss Orange acknowledges the challenges of an unfamiliar and stressful time. However, she also found unexpected positives, using the downtime to dedicate herself to painting, cooking, and personal well-being. A strong desire for travel and a longing to return to tattooing at international conventions underscore her connection to the global tattoo community and her eagerness to resume a more mobile and interactive artistic life once conditions allow.
Miss Orange's elegant Japanese-inspired tattoo art, showcasing her mastery of the oriental style.
Another example of Miss Orange's refined tattoo work, demonstrating her signature feminine and delicate approach.
A striking tattoo piece by Miss Orange, highlighting her ability to create visually arresting and emotionally resonant art.
Miss Orange's detailed linework and subtle shading in a tattoo, showcasing her technical skill and artistic vision.
A larger tattoo piece by Miss Orange, demonstrating her capability in handling extensive and complex designs.
Miss Orange's artistic painting style, revealing a different facet of her creative talents beyond tattooing.
A glimpse into the Sydney tattoo scene through Miss Orange's perspective, emphasizing its unique characteristics.
Miss Orange's sketchbook project, a testament to her dedication to continuous artistic creation and sharing.
Miss Orange reflecting during the Sydney lockdown, showcasing her resilience and adaptability as an artist.
Follow Som’s artistic journey on Instagram: @missorangetattoo
