George Francis
Artist / Naturalist / Writer
A journey of slowing down, noticing, and exploring.
My journey
I’ve always found comfort in nature. Long before I became a tattoo artist, I was obsessed with learning about life.
The more I learnt, the deeper this curiosity grew, and the more questions I had. As a result, a great deal of my early life was spent in nature, or with my head in books, studying the intricacies of life.
After years of dedication, thousands of hours reading and writing, that path led me to study Biological Sciences at Oxford University. During these formative years I immersed myself in the details of the natural world - its patterns, its hidden connections, its endless ability to surprise.
I didn’t realise it at first, but learning about nature was not only an intellectual experience, but also a deeply spiritual one. By looking closely at the natural world, we see that it mirrors and soothes so much of what we experience internally. We realise that concepts of oneness and interconnection are not idealistic notions, but the quiet truths of life.
In my teenage years, as I busied myself trying to figure out existence (Haven't quite got there yet - will keep you posted if I do) something important happened: I began learning to meditate. This quickly became a daily practice, a way of finding balance and perspective when I really needed it. It has remained a transformative pillar in my personal life, and now sits at the centre of my creative process.
I loved studying, but deep down I could sense that this wasn't my only calling. The interwoven intellectual and spiritual journey of studying life gave me so much clarity and peace, and I wanted to share this value with others. After graduating, I followed this pull into expression and into the world.
In those years, I reconnected with the art that runs in my blood. After more than five years immersed in study, I rediscovered the joy of painting, drawing, printing - of simply making. Whilst retreating into the mountains of Spain, I shared my work online and taught myself photography, video editing, and how to communicate visually through social media. For a time I returned to the UK, then left again for Vietnam, choosing a place where I could live simply and dedicate myself fully to my craft, meditation and yoga practises.
I then spent a few years in Indonesia, where my journey as a tattoo artist began. Later, I refined my skills in London, Oxford, Amsterdam, Melbourne and Sydney, learning from some of the world’s most inspiring tattoo artists, while also moving through periods of turbulence, uncertainty, and creative doubt. It was during one of those unsettled times that I began a quiet drawing practice to steady myself - a practice that would later grow into my first book - The Art of Presence.
Now I combine these threads - art, science and spirituality - to share a simple message, and hopefully add a little beauty to the world. I believe that slowing down to reconnect with nature, to notice the small details, and to create with presence, is one of the simplest routes back to joy, wonder, and peace.
What I create today
My work spans a few interconnected worlds:
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Tattooing — purely freehand, conversation-driven artwork, unique to each person.
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Books — illustrated explorations of the intersection between art, science and wellbeing (in process).
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The Art of Presence — a drawing set and guidebook for slowing down through creativity.
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Fine art — watercolour and ink illustrations inspired by nature and human experience.
Beyond the work
Outside of the studio, you’ll often find me exploring nature, quietly observing life, or sharing moments with people I love. My art is inseparable from these experiences of quiet, wild beauty. My sense of home.
