Fife tattoo artist surprises clients by making his mark as a children’s author

A Fife tattoo artist better known for inks including skulls and wild animals has turned his hand to being a children’s author.

Scott Mitchell wrote Diego the Doodling Dinosaur for his three-year-old son, Miles, and the book is published today.

The owner of award-winning Deadstar Tattoo Studio in Kincardine was inspired to write by bedtime reading with Miles, including the likes of Dr. Seuss and The Gruffalo.

Despite working on his story and illustrations for several months, Scott, 32, has only just started telling tattoo clients about his unexpected side line.

And he said: “They can’t believe it – not many tattoo artists are children’s authors!”

The book tells the story of a lovable dinosaur who struggles to concentrate at school and at home – all he wants to do is draw.

It’s described as a heart-warming tale of the joy of creating art, doing what you love and discovering the possibilities that can bring.

Only when he asked a trusted client to critique it did he realise there was an element of his own story in it.

Scott said: “She said ‘you do realise this book is about you?’!

“When I was at school I found it hard to concentrate on certain things because I just wasn’t interested in them; I wanted to draw.”

When he began writing, the words came quite naturally to Scott.

“So, I suppose people will say it’s my truth,” he said.

The tale has a moral to it which Scott reckons most people, adults and children, will be able to relate to. And he hopes it will resonate with those with ADHD.

The Fife businessman said: “If you are into something, follow your heart and that will work out for you.”

Initially, Scott only intended his story to be for Miles but when he realised the work that went into writing and illustrating a book, he became more invested in his project and wanted to share the end result.

Although he has been a tattoo artist for 15 years, Scott wanted to show another element of his artistic skill in the book, which is self-published through Kindle Direct Publishing.

He said: “My tattooing is quite detailed and stylised. With the book, I wanted it to be different. I wanted someone to pick up this book and if my name wasn’t on, it they wouldn’t know it was mine.”

Whether or not Diego the Doodling Dinosaur is a hit, Scott is just happy his son loves the story.

Miles takes his specially-made Diego plushie to bed and asks for the story every night.

Scott said: “That’s the best response for me.”

Diego the Doodling Dinosaur is available on Amazon.