Welcome back to our Artist Spotlight series. Today, we’re diving into the world of Adam Silas — a North London tattooer whose work mixes absurd humour, bold design, and a frankly suspicious amount of geese. Known for his playful take on tattoo culture, Adam’s style is equal parts children’s book charm and pop-punk mischief. Whether he’s tattooing cartoon birds or fronting his pizza-themed cover band, Adam brings the same chaotic joy to everything he touches. He’s quietly becoming one of the most recognisable voices in the UK’s alt tattoo scene. Let’s meet the man behind the geese.
May you introduce yourself – both as a person and as an artist?
I’m someone who takes his silliness very seriously, in all aspects of my life. Commitment to the bit is paramount. I live in north London with my partner (who is also a tattoo artist) and our 4 cats, in a house that contains an abundance of goose stuff. I have a 12 year old daughter who is the coolest person I know and when I’m not tattooing I enjoy feeding geese, video games and playing in my pizza themed pop punk cover band.
How did your journey into tattooing begin? What was your apprenticeship like?
I actually didn’t know that I wanted to tattoo until a few months before I started my apprenticeship. I was in between work contracts and spent my days drawing and trying to figure out what to do with my life, and then I figured why not try to draw for my living? I put a portfolio together and landed an apprenticeship fairly quickly, which was extremely lucky and almost certainly undeserved. I didn’t exactly receive much direct instruction in tattooing, so I took it upon myself to ask as many questions as possible and learn for myself while in the studio environment. Even so, I believe apprenticeships are super important so you’re actually in the studio. It makes a massive difference and you can learn so much, even if passively, from being surrounded by working artists and talking to clients.
You’re becoming known for working across several different tattoo styles. How has the direction of your art evolved over time?
For the first few years of my career I was mostly tattooing illustrative blackwork, which I still do on occasion and very much enjoy. Then I started thinking of puns that would make great designs, and people seemed to really like them and I did loads of those. Then I got into Untitled Goose Game and I saw so much potential for adorable and hilarious tattoos. Now 3 years and almost 500 goose tattoos later, I couldn’t have predicted this!
Once people associate you with a particular style, do you find it hard to change their perception if your work shifts?
I think with my work, many elements have remained consistent even if the subject of my designs has changed a bit. I still use bold lines, stipple shading and block colours, and clients approach me for all sorts of designs using those techniques. I draw things that make me smile, and my clients seem to be on board with that and I love tattooing stuff that makes them smile too.
How do you personally handle criticism – both from within the industry and from clients or followers?
With humour. Always. I draw cute and silly stuff, and when people take issue with that, it’s genuinely amusing to me. Some of the hate comments I’ve received, I’ve then tattooed on clients who also find it hilarious. It’s a great way to turn somethIng negative into something positive. When an artist has a problem with me “not taking tattooing seriously” I double down and draw even dumber designs. Stay tuned for more.
We’re obsessed with the design you created for this Blind Maggot collab! Why do you think people are so drawn to geese?
Geese have a lot of personality, and they somehow manage to be associated with silliness and aggression simultaneously, which is pretty special and hilarious to me.
Who or what are the biggest influences on your artistic style? Any artists, films, or games that have really shaped your approach?
My style of drawing has evolved a bit over the course of my career, but currently I like to think of my style as “children’s bedtime book illustration.” But I’m sure other people can describe it more accurately than I can. Obviously Untitled Goose Game has been immeasurably influential but artists like Mr Heggie and Lipnetattoo are true heroes to me.
If you had to take a wild guess, where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully still tattooing geese on wonderful clients, and ideally I’d have a couple of real geese of my own! I’d also really like to do even more collaborations with excellent brands and spread the joy even further!
Follow Adam on Instagram and book in for your tattoo: @adam_inks
Grab yourself a Goosefather hoodie and t-shirt here :
