It can be the small “sparkling” eye of a killer whale, an expertly executed technical line, or the qualities that a certain Hindu goddess represents — there are many aspects of tattoo artist Robin Dutcher Pryor’s work that draw attention and attract clients.

In almost 15 years of creating art on skin in Whistler, Dutcher Pryor has established an international clientele. Visitors seek her services out before even arriving in town, with some tattoo collectors choosing her to decorate a remaining blank space.

Dutcher Pryor said her work is characterized by high detail, illustrative imagery with a lighter look than the heavy block colours of other tattoo artists.

“I try to have an element of realism in everything I do, so I think that shines through,” she said. “I always aim to have the tattoos flow on people’s bodies so it becomes more of them, rather than a sticker.”

Dutcher Prior was one of about 100 tattoo artists to participate in the West Coast Tattoo Culture Show in Langley last weekend (July 9 to 11), further expanding her Whistler-born skill to Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. With full-time hours at Black Ohm Tattoos in Function Junction, she also spends a few days each month tattooing in Vancouver.

She said the show was an opportunity to check out other people’s art, catch up with old friends and get her name and that of the Black Ohm studio out there.

“It was a good time and definitely I hope to be in it again next year,” she said.

Her participation also garnered an invitation to participate in a tattoo convention in Montreal this September, she added.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Dutcher Pryor moved to Whistler in 1994 and soon after met her tattoo mentor Sonja Prevost. The two first got to know each other when Prevost tattooed Dutcher Pryor, and the relationship continued as she would draw designs and send her friends to Prevost to have them transferred to skin.

Dutcher Pryor said she loved creating art with people, so she asked Prevost if she would accept her as an apprentice.

They opened Black Ohm together in 1999 and moved into the current space on Millar Creek Road in 2003. Dutcher Pryor has continued to run the business since Prevost retired, and she now shares the space with fellow tattoo artist Dave “Pepe” Petko.

In the male-dominated world of tattooing, Prevost and Dutcher Pryor were forging new ground in Whistler back in ’99.

“She (Prevost) definitely paved the way for tattooing in this town,” Dutcher Pryor said.

Even today, she estimates she is one of only about 10 practicing female tattoo artists in southern B.C. — including apprentices.

“There’s more and more coming up,” she said.

When it comes to making art on surfaces other than human skin, Dutcher Pryor has always chosen pencil illustrations as her preferred medium since she was a child. But last year, at another tattoo convention, she had the chance to get some instruction in oil painting.

Oil painting has become an exciting new avenue for her creative expression, and one that could be part of her career in future, she said.

People in Whistler will have the chance to meet Robin Dutcher Pryor and see some of her oil paintings on Aug. 6 at the Whistler Arts Council’s Function Block Party. In the meantime, check out robindutcherpryor.com and blackohmtattoogallery.com for more info and some photos of her living creations.