A FORMER English teacher and straight-As scholar has opened a tattoo parlour in Brentwood with the hope of creating a new image for the trendy but rebellious look.
Until March, Helen was known as Miss Bruce and was preoccupied with marking essays rather than people's skin.
Yet reflecting on the talent of Shakespeare and Shelley was not enough for Helen when she had plenty of her own to explore.
The 24-year-old decided to make the most of her ability to paint, which she excelled in at school.
"I have always wanted to do something with art," the former Brentwood Ursuline pupil said.
"I was really good at art at school and I trained as an English teacher, but then decided it was not quite the job for me.
"I wanted to do something more artistic so I trained in tattoos."
After finishing her training in October, Helen, who has nine tattoos of her own and lives in Ongar Road, found a High Street location for her parlour, which she shares with Pink & White Nails.
Body art, she says, lets people promote their individuality.
She also believes tattoos are now more socially acceptable given their endorsement from celebrities such as David Beckham and Robbie Williams.
Helen added: "From my experience people are slowly changing their minds (about tattoos).
"You can have tattoos and be totally respectable and educated."
Tattooing by Lady Mischief is the name of Helen's new shop and it offers a bespoke service at £60 per hour, with an average-size tattoo expected to take 90 minutes.
Helen explained why her salon, which opened with a swanky Bond-themed event on November 1, is different from the rest.
She said: "I am so good at art, I am really lucky to have this talent.
"It's quite difficult finding tattooists who are really, really good.
"At my place it's friendly and relaxed and there aren't loads of butch guys hanging around."
Visit the shop at 149a High Street, Brentwood or log on to http:// en-gb.facebook.com/ TattooingByLadyMischief
