Tattooer and Model Azarja van der Veen, part !

Azarja van der Veen. Tattoo Artist, Shotsie's Tattoo, Wayne NJ and model (www.azarjavanderveen.com) talks to Tatts about creativity and ink.  

   

   

Tatts: Why did you become a tattoo artist?

Azarja: I became a tattooer because I wanted to make people feel the way I felt after I got my first tattoo. I loved it so much & couldn’t believe that it was mine. It was amazing to me how much of a difference a little ink in my skin made. I suddenly felt completely comfortable in my skin & like anything was possible. Right then, in 2004, I decided that I wanted to spend my time trying to make other people feel even a fraction of that happiness that I felt.

T: who was your mentor?

A: The incredible Shotsie Gorman was my mentor; I apprenticed under him & really learned to ropes. Although, I learned equally as much, if not more, from all my fellow co-workers at Shotsie’s Tattoo. I’m very lucky to have been surrounded by very talented artists my entire career. The guys I work next to continually inspire me to work hard & never stop trying to improve myself.

T: you’re also a model, does that effect your career as tattooer?

A: My 2 careers often intersect, but rarely ever adversely affect each other. 

Occasionally I get someone who thinks that I’m not a worth while artist because I’m a model. But you can’t change everybody’s mind. Mostly my modeling provides another outlet for my artist expression. And my tattooing clients seem to really enjoy it. Especially because I do a lot of modeling for tattoo related products or clothing companies- so it’s a great cross promotion for me. 

T: do you have a signature style? 

A: My style is a little bit of everything. I grew up punk rock, then got into pin up modeling, and now I’m a bit older so I like looking classy. If you put all those things in a blender, and then add a little pink, you’d get my style. lol

T: is there a design you would love to ink and did not do yet?

A: I’m actually just about to start on this half sleeve of half dead/skeleton hummingbirds that I drew up almost a year ago. I’ve been dying to put it on someone, and finally found a taker. I’m so excited!  (t: and we will show the result!)

T: About the ink community: what’s changed –and do you like it?

A: I would say the biggest change in the tattoo community is the visibility of it all. 

We used to be a small counter-culture- But ever since all of theses tattoo themed tv shows came out, we’re huge pop culture. It’s kind of strange to have something that you’ve loved and been so deeply involved in for so long suddenly become all the rage. But I’m sure the trend will eventually pass, and all the people who were there before will still be there after. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t really mind the popularity of it all- in fact, those programs have educated a lot of people and shown them what good artwork looks like. But it’s also influenced a lot of people into getting tattoos that haven’t fully been thought through, and that they may end up regretting them one day. Hence the trend of it all.

T:how important is planning of artwork for you?

A: For me, planning is everything. My brain works in a different way than most, so I need to have an idea of the end point before I’m able to begin a drawing. I want to know how everything is going to connect to itself and to the other work or skin around it. And also, what the person may get in the future around it. You don’t want to “paint yourself into a corner” so to speak. 

T: do you feel you need to maintain your skin or a tattoo?A: Very much so. I put on sunblock every day as soon as I get out of the shower. Every dayI see tattoos that are only 3 or 4 years old, and they look like they’re 10 or 15 years old because people refuse to protect them. Chances are you paid a lot of money for the tattoo, and it’s going to be there for a while, so put on some sunblock!And I make sure to use a good moisturizer at least once a day, usually twice. The better the condition of your skin, the better you and your tattoo will age. 

TATTOO BOOSTER is one of my favorite products, because it makes my skin feel so soft! I usually put in before I go out at night, to make my tattoos look their brightest.

I definitely recommend Tattoo Booster to anyone who wants their tattoos to look their best. But I would also recommend it to anyone who wants their skin to feel great- tattooed or not. The oil soaks in quickly, and instantly transforms your dull skin. I feel like I’m glowing after I put it on- and my skin always feels so soft. 
www.AzarjavanderVeen.com Instagram & Twitter @AzarjaTattoo www.facebook.com/AzarjaTattoo

http://www.azarjavanderveen.com

TATTOO BOOSTER Testimonial by Azarja van der Veen

TATTOO BOOSTER: A tattoo has to be art. No run of the mill from a ...

TATTOO BOOSTER: A tattoo has to be art. No run of the mill from a ...: Adrian Alicea is a provoking New York fashion designer and shows his fashion during NYFW, since 2005. As the preferred model for Thierry Mu...

A tattoo has to be art. No run of the mill from a look book for me, says Avant-Garde designer Adrian Alicea. He thinks creative people have tattoos as they love art.

Adrian Alicea is a provoking New York fashion designer and shows his fashion during NYFW, since 2005. As the preferred model for Thierry Mugler and Jean Paul Gaultier he walked with Iman, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangalista. If you want the see the first breakdancer: that’s Adrian too.

But his 12 large body-arts are fairly recent, 15 year ago he had his first tattoo to remember his deceased mother. The second tattoo, showcasing the intertwined name of his parents is on his lower back.

 And for a reason: Adrian feels that this part of the body stands for strength; the spine connected with the pelvis symbolizes the position of the parents in your life. It is the strongest part of your body -for a reason. 

His tattoos are all created from scratch, never from a look book.

Creativity and body art go hand in hand, says Adrian. If you are a little shy, or its your first, you may hide it. But the more you want to express yourself, the more you dare. 
Self-expression; show your personality through your tattoos is his motto. His home, atelier and collection contribute to that.

As a creator, an artist he thinks tattoos have to be relevant, not a skull, rose or pin-up, but a story. Just like his fashion it is about expression, a theme, an impression you want to make. The last tattoo is inspired by the work of Swiss surrealist H.R. Giger.

 It shows the core of a tattoomachine: the needle and the face of a model: Christy Turlington. Just like the JP Gaultier collection based on tattoos (s/s-2012): fashion = art, just like tattoos. 

Creative people tend to have tattoos. 
Body-art is more for creative people, those who want to express themselves and surround by beautiful things. And body art is the most personal way of telling a story, or expressing ideas, according to Adrian.

Adrian does not think, like innovative chef Stefan Robertsson, featured in May, tattoos are more about lifestyle. 

So the avant-garde designer takes another position than the innovative chef. But creating art is key for both of them. 

Both agree that you need to radiate your body art. After all, 'showing' is what they do on a daily base in their professional life. Their body art is living proof of their beliefs.

Adrian used to buy capsules of vitamin E, open them and use the liquid to have his tattoos ‘pop’, so he is a happy user of TATTOO BOOSTER. Organic is his motto. His recent change from vegetarian to vegan did not chance his views on fashion or tattoos but made him feel better. And it shows.

Caring for art, whether it is fashion or body art, is key. Adrian is the first designer we know, who has a ‘tattooed models only’ casting call for his September NYFW show: ‘Monsserate.

more about adrian alicea:www.adrianalicea.com

TATTOO BOOSTER: When we started interviewing people on ‘creativity...

TATTOO BOOSTER: When we started interviewing people on ‘creativity...: When we started interviewing people on ‘creativity and tattoos’ we assumed a correlation: dare to be different. However, for Stefan Ro...

When we started interviewing people on ‘creativity and tattoos’ we assumed a correlation: dare to be different.

However, for Stefan Robertsson, a very innovative and renowned Chef living in Stockholm Sweden, it’s more about lifestyle:

 There is no direct correlation between my job as a chef and my tattoos. The only similarity would be that I am somewhat of a food rebel while cooking, and kind of feel the same when it comes to getting tattoos. Today tattoos are very common, but in Sweden, more than 20 years ago, not so much. As you see I have a lot of body-art; and I’m not done! I’m not designing my tattoos. I do however inspire and give lots of input to the motifs I want on my body. And of course trust my (very experienced) tattoo artist to come with ideas and suggestions.

chef Stefan Robertsson

I had my first tattoo 1991. It was a Tarantella spider, placed on one of my upper arms. The most recent was just a few weeks ago, in April 2013 made with a new technique I never tried before.

Related to creativity? None of my tattoos are related to my working profession, even though I have thought about it many times. There aren't any specific motifs in the gastronomy that would be suitable or interesting.

P.A.& Co kitchen with Stefan Robertsson and team

Your tattoos are done by a variety of tattoo artists, most recently in Thailand in the Sak Yant style; these tattoos are blessed for good life, love, health, money, so I assume this is important to you. If so, do you bless your food while cooking and does this attract a special kind of customer?

Sak Yant

 I have worked with 8 different tattoo artists, like Doc Forest, also from Stockholm. Jimmy Wong introduced me to the ‘Sak Yant’ tattoos. Thai monks Paeo Sen and Paan from the Wat Ban Phra temple in SinBuri did amazing tattoos. My interest for Sak Yant (see below) aspire from my love and admiration of Thai tattoos and Buddha. To be honest, I never thought I would do as many tattoos as I have done.

Sak Yant, also known as Yantra tattoo are believed to be magic and bestow protection, good  luck or mystical powers. It is a form of tattooing practiced in Southeast Asian countries. Sak means "to tap [tattoo]", and Yant is Thai for the Sanskrit word yantra. Sak yant designs are normally tattooed by wicha (magic) practitioners and as in my case by Buddhist monks, traditionally done using a long bamboo stick sharpened into a point (‘mai sak’) or a long metal spike (‘khem sak’).

Many times I have an idea about what type of Sak Yant tattoo I want to do, like the tiger, crocodile, and 8 path road, but most times I leave it in the hands of the monks. My most recent choice was 3 pigs in Sak Yant style that symbolize fortune and happiness. I like what Monk Paeo said many times when he pointed to my Swedish tattoos

" This is for beautiful" and then pointed at the Sakyant and said " This is for power and good luck".

It seems as the Sak Yant technique appeal to Thai people that are Buddhists, and to foreigners who like tattoos and Buddha. There is a deep faith within the Thai people and the magic power that are charged in the tattoos. I have experienced it myself, the raw animal power that surface in people that have the Sakyant tattoos, and especially during mantra sessions with the monks.

Body-art is forever, a meal not so much -although the memory can last a lifetime; when are you satisfied with your creations? 

For me, gastronomy and tattoos are two completely separate things. I do not apply the same thinking or approach to tattoos as when I cook. However, there may be similarities I haven't thought of yet. I like simple tattoos and I like simple good quality cooking. That is the philosophy of my life: keep it simple.

My philosophy as a chef, is that the core ingredients is what matters, and I am simply the vehicle to bring out the flavors and qualities. I work to combine them with a variety of flavors to elevate them to new heights. I want to give the food as much love as I possibly can, and admire certain elements, like for example cloudberries, native to Scandinavia. Each time I see them it hits me what amazing things they are, all the goodness that comes from Mother Earth. And then I add a little cream, sugar and vanilla beans from Tahiti, to ‘caress’ the berries.

What an amazing thing, all those things that grows on our planet. They are all huge gifts to humanity.

I always listen to my guests at the restaurant. They come to us with high expectations to experience food with clarity and simplicity, not a lot of fussy stuff. As chef I want to serve the best food that I possibly can. Unfortunately, the Swedish regulations for locally grown produce and meats are very strict, which results in a very high price, and only enable high end luxury restaurants to work with these ingredients.

So it’s lifestyle, not creativity for Stefan. What do you think: maybe nowadays is having a tattoo lifestyle and selecting the design and where you put it related to creativity? And for those who have never heard of cloudberries, here’s a pic:

cloudberries

Meet Mercedes Shavawn our brandambassador

photo: Michelle Benson

TATTOO BOOSTER ™ is the premier organic skin care line for tattooed and pierced skin. Formulated with certified 100% organic Argan oil, natural Vitamin E and Awara oil (a natural sunscreen).

TATTOO BOOSTER is created to moisturize and nourish skin to make your tattoos stand out. Available in an unscented as well as SULA NYC’s sensual signature scent: Fruit of Desire®. Fight dullness, show vibrant tattoos; this slogan is exactly what Mercedes Shavawn, our first brand ambassador will advocate. Average is not something our brand ambassador favors. A healed skin and an excellent organic product is all you need to stand out and showcase your tattoos.

Mercedes Shavawn from San Juan PR, is the beautifully inked founder and co-owner of Guiltless Ink, a tattoo parlor and a boutique Guiltless PleZure, both located in Charlotte NC. Mercedes  describes her jointly owned boutique as: taking style to another level, conquering the enemy called average! Showcasing fashion from designers all over the country from couture, to urban and indie chic.

Just check her out, and visit her also jointly owned (2012) tattoo shop Guiltless Ink to get inked by Tattoo Douggy a great artist combining precise craftsmanship with creative designs or cover ups.

Of course the full range of TATTOO BOOSTER is available and Guitless is distributor for leading tattoo supplies.

Mercedes is not only an aspiring entrepreneur but also a well known model, pictured in tattoo magazines like Urban Ink Magazine and Blackmen Ink Candy Edition which was the inspiration for the opening and discovery of the name Guiltless Ink.

Her beauty and exquisite androgynous made SULA NYC’s Patricia Reinders to contact Mercedes, resulting in the first brand ambassador for TATTOO BOOSTER™, showcasing the art of tattooing and the need to take good care of your skin.

Mercedes will be featured on www.tattoobooster, on you tube showcasing the amazing effects of our organic moisturizer for tattooed and pierced skin and she has a great Valentine’s offer.

Inspiring women all over the world to follow their dreams; this ambition is shared by Patricia and Mercedes.

visit Guitless: 4401 E Independence Boulevard suite 104 Charlotte NC