Reverend Simon White.
The Holy Roller- between the devil and the deep blue sea.
Born in England, raised in Johannesburg, shaped by decades of art, engineering draughting and hard-earned tattoo experience across five continents.
Primary Discipline
Micro-Realism & Fine Line Specialization
"My goal is for the tattoo to still look good in ten years or even twenty years. No Regrets“
Artist Philosophy — No Regrets Studio
Formal Foundations
Simon's creative path started early. After moving from England to Johannesburg as a pre-teen, he focused on fine art, technical drawing and multiple craft-based disciplines. He studied at Johannesburg Art Foundation, trained in Mechanical and Civil engineering drafting, worked as a technical illustrator, architectural technician and later completed a National Diploma in Interior Design.
The Real Formative Years
While working in design, architecture, and even in hospitality, Simon kept drawing and designing friends' tattoos. But frustrated by poor execution in the available market he taught himself with basic equipment, he gained practical shop experience in England, Norway and Portugal where he honed his style on classic military and old-school work.
Journey Highlights
Building Wildfire
In 1992, Simon returned to South Africa and founded Wildfire Tattoos. From the early Purple Turtle days to Burg St Greenmarket Square and later Buiten St and Canal Walk. Simon helped move tattooing from fringe culture into the mainstream. in 2012 Simon added Laser tattoo removal into his toolbox.
No Regrets Today and beyond.
In 2015, Simon opened No Regrets his by-appointment-only studio in Claremont now in Kenilworth. His work continues to blend his artistic instinct with technical discipline, delivering clean, durable tattoos designed to age well.