Stories about my process
This part of my site is in Englisch, for more specific info you can always contact me.
European roots
Through the years I got inspired by a lot of different styles in tattooing. First Illustrative and Oldschool tattooing, later the Japanese bodysuits gave me fire in my blood and after that I searched for the ornamental and Tribal shapes.
Abstract and tribal tattooing has a language of its own, animals, plants and concepts are made into pictograms, almost distilled to their most rudimentary form. The language of hidden symbolism tells me more everyday and the abstract shapes make their way into my tattoos.
Making a Maori or Borneo inspired sleeve is something that for me doesn’t feel natural, I want to work with the shapes that entwine with my European roots. I am appreciating more and more the patterns that our European ancestors used, not only for their aesthetics but also for their hidden power. Every pattern is connected to something, a powerful animal, a healing plant or pointing to the celestial world.
If we can connect with our ancestry line, connect with the Earth and the sky and their nourishing powers, then we can find ways to continue writing the mystic language of symbolism, and unravel it so that we can embody our past, present and future.
So which animal or plant in your everyday environment is sacred to you? What ingredient gives you the fuel for expanding into a powerful vessel of love?
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I made this wearable altar cloth
Wearable altar cloth, for divination on the go! Ask your question mindfully, throw a coin or your keys on the cloth and seek out the Rune or Hebrew character that’s closest, or find your own creative ways to connect with it!
Look on the explanatory card that comes in the package what meaning is attached to the Rune, or which Tarot card is connected to the Hebrew character and what are the key words of the card.
I usually ask my question and retrieve my answer in this way:
The first ‘answer’ I put in the middle. It’s the personal theme connected to your question.
The second ‘answer’ I put on the left. It represents the part that best is to leave behind, you don’t need to put your energy in this aspect.
The third ‘answer’ I put on the right. This represents what is going to serve you, it’s important to focus your energy here.
Of course it’s always good to use your own techniques and ways that work for you.
You can find this item in the webshop!
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an ALMOST Perfect example
This healed tattoo on the stomach of a good customer of mine, is an almost perfect example of holistic tattooing. He already got a tiger and a panther on his arms, on his stomach he wanted a full body cheetah, not a bad choice!
When working with the symbolism and energy centres of the body it’s almost easy to find the right subject for the right place. Above the navel is the centre of the Solar Plexus chakra, and this chakra is connected with the Sun.
Sun symbolism comes in many ways, but one animal associated most with the sun is the lion. So voila!
Sun symbolism on the solar plexus, the right energy on the right part of the body.
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fully freehand sleeve
After tattooing for almost 15 years I am finally getting more relaxed in the process. In the future I want to work more from a freehand perspective, to maximise the workflow and connect with my customers on a deeper level.
There is something magical about freehand tattooing, there has to be a lot of trust. Trust in myself as a tattooer but also trust of the client. The trust of the client in my skills and at the same time trust of the client is his or her ability to step into something powerful.
When you trust yourself and the path of your life there is room for extraordinary thing to happen.
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grounding
In our world full of ideas, busy days, smartphones and other distractions it can be a challenge to stay centred.
Using the tattoo as a way to keep yourself grounded is one of many ways to stay connected to Mother Earth.
The imagery of these tattoos show solid swirly roots going into the ground so that the plant has a good foundation to flourish, the triangle pointing down intersected by a line is the symbol for the element Earth. Both ankles are tattooed for stability and harmony, but of course are the feet/ankles/legs perfect conductors for maintaining grounding energy.
During the session provide grounding energy work but also I invited my client to really go to the feeling, the bodily sensation of connecting to the Earth. The more you can harness certain energy during the tattoo session, the more powerful the tattoo works.
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