Dutch Ladies Tattoo Convention Vijfhuizen

On the weekend of 3-4 October 2015, Rob Webster (founder Tattoo Planet Magzine) is organising the fifth Dutch Ladies Tattoo Convention. A special tattoo convention for which only female tattoo artists can register. Of course, men are welcome here too, but today only as visitors and not to work. The convention, where both national and international artists handle the machines, will be held at the Expo in Vijfhuizen.

Not only ladies and gentlemen are welcome, the kids have been thought of too. There is a children's corner where there is plenty to do while mum and/or dad take a stroll or get tattooed. They can get their faces painted or even colour in. Or just enjoy watching a film.

Although this is a tattoo convention, it is not just ink that rings the bell. Lady Mustache (and her team of ladies) from Belgium will take care of visitors who would like to get a haircut and a shave, and music is not lacking either. Saturday, Elles Springs performs with her new band Elles Springs and the State Sinners and on Sunday, it is the turn of musical duo Jack Bottleneck and Johan Keus to entertain visitors. The two of them will put on a very versatile show. bluesy performance using mandolin, blues harp, percussion, bass, electric and acoustic guitar and vocals.

I will be present on the Sunday. However, I unfortunately don't have much time to walk around and interview various ladies this time. I am there today for another purpose; to model for 19-year-old Esmée Weij, (co-)owner of tattoo shop The Wicked Crow in Zaandam.

Dutch Ladies Tattoo Convention Vijfhuizen — Esmée Silentium

Marilyn Monroe

A few months ago, Esmée asked me if she could tattoo me at the Dutch Ladies Tattoo Convention. Given her beautiful work (Esmée specialises in portraits and realism black & grey) I didn't have to think long about this. Our choice was a portrait of Marilyn Monroe. Of this, half of Marilyn's face would consist of skull. Esmée was keen to put this design on my calf so no sooner said than done.

Esmée got her first tattoo lessons at 16 and has now been tattooing for three years. She lives up to her stage name Esmée Silentium. She has a very calm personality and is absolutely relaxed when dealing with people. Especially during her work, she is quite silent, something I personally find very pleasant. When I get tattooed, I want to feel comfortable Dutch Ladies Tattoo Convention Vijfhuizen be able to relax and not chatter constantly or have to answer everything. In that respect, Esmée and I are a perfect tattoo-match.

During the two short breaks we take, we eat together from the currant buns Esmée brought along. During these short breaks Esmée turns out to be a funny girl. She makes comments that make me laugh heartily but which she herself does not even realise are comical. I love it, dry humour. When I put the last bite in my mouth, Esmée is already eagerly awaiting me again. 'Shall we go again?'

For a total of four hours, Marilyn is on it. I still have two hours before the award ceremony so, with my leg sealed in, I decide to take a tour of the stands anyway. Here and there I run into some acquaintances such as Shannon Romijn of Instinkt, who is of course also present again. I see many more people whom I would like to ask a few things about, but time is short.

Beautiful curly head

Since I don't have a lot of time today, I'm only picking out the artists that really stand out to me. One of them is Victoria Todd of Artistic Needle Tattoos in Haarlem. Her work actually seems to be alive. The lines are set with suppleness, shading and high lights filled in the right way. As the name suggests, her designs are artful and artistic. It immediately appeals to me. When I speak to her, the beautiful curly-haired woman is immediately enthusiastic. 'For the Tattoo Planet? Yes, fun!

I am dumbfounded when she tells me she has only been tattooing for two years. What a talent! When I point to a few drawings to ask some questions about this, however, not all the work turns out to be her own. 'These were made by my friend Debby,' she points to a design of a face half-covered by a cape. I turn to Debby, who has also joined us. Although this feisty girl is also bursting with talent, she appears very modest. 'Yes but today is about her,'she says softly as she shoves Victoria forward. But my curiosity is piqued: 'How did it come about that you two work together?'

Victoria explained to me that she had been following Debby's work on Instagram for some time. Her art really appealed to Victoria and she had actually been wanting to do something with Debby on an artistic level for some time. After a few messages back and forth, they seemed to click and met. They now have a relationship and work together.

Rock chick

Walking on for a bit more, I pass Kara Inksane. Kara, handsome and tough - a real rock chick - sits tattooing as if she is enjoying drawing and it all takes no effort on her part. Mind you; that's what it looks like. Yet she more or less admits that tattooing feels very natural to her.

Kara is 26 and has been handling needles since she was 17, she tells me. She had just graduated from Havo when a friend of hers (now her partner) bought her a tattoo machine. Tattooing immediately appealed to her and, as a matter of course, she put a machine together herself. In the living room at the dining room table, she put her first tattoo on her sister; a name. Neatly from the stencil. Since the result was not at all disappointing, she decided to continue, with the result that she has now officially made it her profession and has a permanent place in tattoo shop Dingo in Gouda.

The nice thing is that she now also works with her mother Diane Sirach. Diane makes beautiful jewellery. Years ago, she started making beautiful spiral bracelets. When her mother passed away, Diane inherited all her beads, and decided to make jewellery from them too. It did her good to create something beautiful with her mother's beads, it was part of processing the loss and grief. Diane is very grateful to her mother. 'Actually, I started doing this thanks to her,' she smiles.

As Diane became increasingly inspired to make beautiful things with the beads, such as seasonal items, Kara asked her mother to think about tattoo-related jewellery, such as skulls, hearts, Buddhas and crosses. This idea immediately appealed to Diane. The jewellery turned out to be a hit. People love it and so a webshop was inevitable. At the convention, Diane's stand is right opposite that of her daughter. The friend helping her with sales today turns out to be my former classmate Esmeralda. Nice! Unfortunately, we don't have much time to catch up; it is now time for the award ceremony.

Prices

Esmée sits calmly and quietly as always in her chair waiting for the results while I have to go on stage to have her work judged by the judges. Unfortunately, she did not win any prizes today but that does not alter the fact that she is still among the most talented newcomers for me.

By the way, I am not the only one who has noticed Victoria and Kara's work. Victoria Todd comes second in today's tattoo contest in the category: realistic black and grey small. Kara Inksane wins both the first prize for realistic black and grey small if those for black and grey big.

Text: Nathalie Kriek
Photos: Marjolein Quaint, Lisa Cramer, Rolf Maas

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