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Friday 24 November 2017
‘Tattoos are part of my lifestyle…’
Artist Rachell Peterson Wins First Place at Tattoo Expo in USA
By Luis Villegas everything myself, driven pecially since there is no
ORANJESTAD- Local tattoo by my passion for the art. law here that protects the
artists Rachell Peterson won Now, with the recognition client with regards to hy-
the first place in a compe- the real work is going to giene. Basically everybody
tition in Alexandria, Louisi- start. I need to improve my- can do as they please, but
ana, United States, with her self.” I strongly advise to choose
exposition Red River. She Together with her partner for hygiene and quality.”
won the price in the cat- Gregory Tromp she runs a How do you recognize high
egory colored tattoos and tattoo shop called Black quality and hygiene? There
became third in the cat- Sheep Body Arts in Oranjes- is no certification system in
egory hand tattoos. tad. They have been doing the island that distinguishes
this since 8 years straight, one artist from the other.
She was surprised to hear but are looking into a new Therefore Rachelle and
that she was the one to location now to get closer Gregory chose to get cer-
achieve this international to the tourists. “My sched- tified by the Association of
acknowledge as a tattoo ule is fully planned with Professional Piercers in the
artist, because this is an customers, but I would like USA. This means that there
industry where men domi- to expand and settle in a are strict norms when it
nate and as a feminine art- more comfortable envi- comes to blood tests and
ist she is even more proud ronment. I value my local hygiene like AED and CPR.
to have gotten this far. “Of clients a lot, and are also
course my goal is to have open to tourists.” Future Plans
my name established and The tattoo artist has a world
awards like this help in No Hygiene Law to discover in front of her
that. Besides that, it is diffi- Initially the couple started and to her it is cut and clear
cult when you come from in their current store with that tattoos are part of her
a small island like Aruba, selling fashion, but after a life style. “I wish to travel
competing with artists from while they decided to re- around to visit tattoo con-
all over the world. Cherry alize their dreams. Pierc- ferences, teach others and
on the pie is that I am a ings and tattoos were feel inspired. I am grate-
woman. It makes it all even their dream, but with a ful to be able to do what I
better.” high quality and hygiene. love and be with my family
“We believe it is very im- and my own business. For
Peterson shows some of portant to recognize the an artist the process never
her designs to our journal- difference between quali- stops, you need to keep on
ist and starts talking about ties. For a customer it is es- developing. Just when you
her start. “I did not have a sential to know what can think you know the latest
mentor or teacher when I happen when you choose techniques, there is a new
started this work. I taught the cheapest option. Es- one coming up.”q
