Hey everyone!
This "confession" is dedicated to everybody at Miami Ink...and although you may never come across it (I'm sure you guys have better things to do)...here goes!
I was born and raised in a multi-cultural family, originally in Amsterdam (the Netherlands), home to a lot of incredible (tattoo) artists. My passion for drawing started in my early childhood as growing up in a troublesome family wasn't easy. As the youngest of three I had to pay off many mistakes that weren't my own and was kept on a really tight leash. Always had to do better than the rest and there was no room for errors (hmmm...that should have been troublesome with a capital T). So I went to the best high school which, at times, was pretty frustrating because I couldn't keep up with the yuppie life style (try dumping an Amish in Hollywood).
Throughout my teens, my pencil and I became...well...unseparable...my art was my escape. Always working hard to improve and some of my "kid" drawings were often mistaken for those of an adult (haha...sounds cocky yeah, I know...but hey, it's true!). Soon got into tattoo designs as well, but was sure to keep these hidden from the control-panel...The passion for art in general grew stronger, but I was mostly drawn to realism and was nicknamed Copy-Cat for turning practically anything into a drawing. My majors were the perfect combo-package for a future in Artschool but...yeah...my parents disagreed...and so...I ended-up in Lawschool (no comments...). Had so much fun I gave up before re-registering for my second year in '98...That obviously didn't please my parents (yeah...again...who invented them anyway?) but the 18-going-on-19-rebel inside gave me the courage to take a job abroad. And so I went to Portugal all by myself.
After a year, I ended up at a Law Firm (yes...sometimes destiny has a weird way of kicking you in the butt) where I'm still working as a Legal Assistant/PR. It's a fun, versatile but time-consuming job and although I love it, I have to say it was the main cause for setting the real "me" aside, neglecting so many things I loved to do. Over-hours that kept me from drawing other than the constant doodeling during meetings and phone calls... Always loved tattoos, but the executive world had its own way of keeping me ink-free. That and the overal Portuguese mentality of course...
And so, for several years, I kept on going...Until I contracted and overcame a very annoying ilness (to my thyroid) that literally took away and gave me back myself. Gained and lost my body mass of 154 lbs (308 lbs was my worst point) with a lot of faith and persistance...
Watching Miami Ink obviously made me aware of how many different people get tattoos, from rock-musicians to school-teachers...Mostly for a reason, particularly when they achieve something. And so I thought...to hell with it, I earned it!!! Wanted the design to be perfect, so I really did a lot of research before I got it done on Dec. 31st 2008.
Well...you guys know how addictive it is so I quickly found "other reasons" to get more...They are all beautiful and meaningful to me, yet still in discrete places (for the time being hahaha), so there's no chance I get fired for being over-inked...But if I do...too bad!!!
Now, after a decade, I'm back into drawing again and actually designed my last tattoo. Made a deal with my tattoo-artist to get tattoo-lessons and become an apprentice, so maybe someday I will be able to dedicate myself to something I really love...just like you guys...using this gift or whatever you want to call it and just make art...scattering it among people...
Ami once said that life is too short for regrets...A very simple statement but so true...So I will try to avoid the regret of not pursuing this. Maybe I'll get to see you guys one day in person and if you would ever think of recruting a new apprentice...no need to say I'd be more than happy to be your humble servant hahaha...Bet I would blend in quite nicely! (A European girl among five heavily tattooed guys...Can you imagine it? I sure can hahaha)
Take care everyone!!! Love you all!!!