Brooklyn talks about her new studio ‘4everink’ in Charlotte NC and her passion: express yourself through body art.
Brooklyn just opened a brand new studio, 4 experienced tattoo artists, a piercer and a permanent make-up specialist. Yes: studio, not store, parlor or shop. ‘Art can be everything; just how you see it’.
Art & ink is the driving force for Brooklyn (yes, from the burro) who has 50+ tattoos herself. All styles, clear and detailed tatts dominate.
A laid back (Bob Marley all over), dread locked entrepreneur who entered the inked community 12 years ago as studio owner when tattoos were still mainly counter culture. Brooklyn is not a tattoo artist herself but wanted to create an environment for experienced artists with minimal 5+ years experience, artistic and great skills.
According to Brooklyn ‘taking time to consult on art is important; especially virgin canvasses sometimes have crazy ideas, they might regret a few years later’. So consultation is important.
She made headlines as one of the very first openly lesbians in the inked community advocating free for all. No closets for Brooklyn.
But no specific LGBT tattoos either: art is individual and not an poster or membership card.
4everink wants to ink quality, original designs for all walks of life; ‘you imagine it, we advise and realize’ is the attitude. That’s how TB met her: ink is forever and needs to be maintained. TATTOO BOOSTER is her favorite: organic, vegan, colors pop and a little goes a long way.
A permanent make up specialist is a relative rare phenomena in a inked parlor -sorry, studio- but Brooklyn feels that it’s time to cater to those who prefers permanent make up, in a professional environment.
So if you want to express yourself in ink: check out 4everink in Charlotte, NC
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 @AzarjaTattoowww.facebook.com/AzarjaTattoo
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.
