People With Tattoos

Maggie Bow

1. How many tattoos do you have? What are they? Any favourites?

I have so many I have lost count! I have a full sleeve on my right arm, and my back is now fully tattooed too. Both my thighs have large pinup girls and I have on my lower leg and foot too. My favourites? That’s a tough one! My recent one is on my lower leg, and is a storm in a tea cup that was designed especially for me that features 5 China tea cups inside each other and a little storm in the top cup with a lighthouse and a paper boat in stormy water with lightening bolts. It is definitly one of my favorites as it shows a little of my personality, and my love of vintage things but also has symbolises my husband standing strong as the lighthouse in my stormy seas. My other favourite is my Rockabilly greaser skull that has a switch blade and a set of playing cards.

He is mostly black and grey which I don’t have much of, so he is pretty special. I also have 2 little cotton reels and a sewing needle on my foot that always reminds me of my gran. The design was based on actual vintage cotton reels she gave me, and also represents me as a fashion designer. And I have a portrait of my other Gran from 1945 on my shoulder with roses and moths which I love because it’s based on an actual old retouched photo. I do love my fly girl (pilot) with her Miss Hap B25 Bomber and its bombs underneath. She was the first tattoo on my arm and was what started my sleeve. She represents my love of history, and my ‘Miss Happ’ clothing brand. Other tattoos include a 1957 chev in seafoam green, a big old school diamond, a rosie the revitor style pinup, sacred heart, a sailor from WW2, a Japanese zero fighter plane from WW2, a beach pinup, a zombie pinup, a butterfly, a large classic sail boat with a crab and seashells, swallows, and anchor, a little horse shoe, a bird of paradise, and a few classic roses.

2. Do all your tattoos have meaning or is it more about the style for you?

A bit of both. The style is mostly old school, but I do have other elements that are a slightly different such as my sacred heart and bird of paradise. I am not big on script or long verses – for me it’s more about the bright colour and the boldness of the style. That being said, I do have the words “Life is a gamble”, “Lucky 13” (the year I got engaged) and “Stay True”. I am a visual and creative person so having bright colours and bold tattoos reflects my personality well.

3. Any advice for first timers?

Every artist generally has a style that they are strong in. So, look at the artist’s portfolio and go with someone who is strong in the area you like. Also, don’t rush into anything. I got my first tattoo at the age of 34. I knew who I was as a person and that made a big difference. Had I gotten that

little butterfly I had wanted on my tummy when I had a nice six pack at the age of 16 I would without a doubt be regretting it now at age 43 WITHOUT that six pack! Remember that your body changes, as do your likes and style. Above all, remember that you get what you pay for, and cheap isn’t always the way to go. You will have to look at every day for the rest of your life, and if it’s something you can’t hide, it will bug you every single day.

4. How have people reacted to your tattoos?

I once got into a conversation with an older lady at the local Postnet about tattoos and religion, but it ended well after hearing my stories. She was an artist and could understand that this was the way I expressed myself. Mostly people want to touch you (please don’t!) and ask things like “was it sore?” (it hurts like hell!) and “does it wash off?” to “does the skin feel colder where the tattoo is?” (no it doesn’t!). When I first started getting my tattoos just on 10 years ago I was already working for myself and had my own business, so I was lucky to not have any constraints in my work environment. Nowdays you turn on the TV and you will see everybody from sport stars, to chefs, fashion designers, and actors rocking tattoos. It has become far more acceptable, and people aren’t as surprised any more. Also, I dress in 50’s style, and have bright pink hair, so there is a LOT to look at. I seem to get more comments about my hair and dress style than my tattoos. For me its about changing perceptions and educating people. I may have tattoos, but I am still me. It’s about respecting each person, and looking beyond what is on the outside.

5. Do you have any plans for another one?

I am running out of real estate! But no, no plans for another at the moment, although I would like to brighten up some of the older colour that has started to fade on my arm . . . ok, and maybe add in a another part to my pinups on my thigh tattoos. I learnt a long time ago . . . never say never!

Christelle van Greunen

1. How many tattoos do you have?

Too many to count. 65% of my skin is covered. My tattoos are eclectic and indicative of when in my life I had them done. They range from plain black symbols, to colourful new school designs (Alice in Wonderland, Care Bears, My Little Pony), candy, to roses and lockets, to skulls, to old school designs of cats, tigers, etc. I am fascinated by tattooed idols such as the recently deceased Zombie Boy, and Lucky Hell, the sword swallower, so I have pieces of each on my leg. I also honoured the tattoo culture by getting an old school tattooed lady on my leg. I have a portrait of Lemmy, lead singer of Motorhead, as well as a sabertooth tiger skull on the side of my head in a biology sketchbook style.

2. Inspiration for your most recent tattoo? Where did you get it done?

My most recent tattoo is a large tiger on my stomach, by Francois Crumbs Coertzen at Tattoomania. I have the outline done, but it still needs colour and background added (grey bands with cherry blossoms). I’m a cat lady and found tigers to be so majestic.

3. How have people reacted to your tattoos?

Mostly favourable as they are very colourful. Kids love it, adults too. I tend to get harrassed in malls, so I usually cover up in crowded places. I’ve had strangers literally try undress me to see what else I have hidden underneath my clothes! They’re thankfully in the minority, and even if they are being improper, it’s usually because they like what they are seeing. I’m an attorney at law, working exclusively in High Court litigation, and people see me mostly in business suits. They are quite surprised when they see the tattoos peeking out underneath my sleeves.

4. Do you have any plans for another one?

I have about 65% covered at the moment. The plan is to eventually have my full body covered (everything except for face, neck and hands). It's a work in progress. I am saving my back and butt for a huge tattooed lady I want to get. A lekker fat one, in grey and black but with her tattoos in the original colour ink which was available in the early 1900's. I love the tattooed ladies of way back, and the associated side show acts.

Neels Kleynhans

1. How many tattoos do you have?

I have half sleeves on both arms, as well as tattoos on my left leg front and back.

The tattoo on my left arm represents my photography background, the right arm represents the universe, the front of my leg is a shout out to my family (a wolf, which is part of my family crest), and the back of my leg represents freemasonry.

2. Where did you get it done?

I only allow Clinton Jansen from Eersterivier to work on me – He is a true artist.

3. Inspiration for your most recent tattoo?

My most recent tattoo is my journey as a freemason

4. How have people reacted to your tattoos?

I think having tattoos is a general thing these day, so I only get compliments. It also helps that I am a full time photographer, so it’s almost expected of me.

5. Do you have any plans for another one?

Let’s be honest, it will never stop. 1 becomes 2, 2 becomes 3 . . .