Eva Dahvmandàsz

Was Hand Poke tattooing something you went to after machine tattooing, or has the hand poke style always been your preferred method?

As soon as I really got into admiring the work of several hand poke artists I knew that I had to give it a try myself someday. 

Ultimately, that special someday came mid-August last year and up until now I can't really imagine using another technique. I often thought about how it must be doing machine tattoos and learning to do the hand poke thing afterwards - man, that must be a real trial of patience!

What was it like the first time you put needle and ink to skin? 

It's been quite a spontaneous action - I went for a simple dot on my finger. As if I wouldn't have read about the struggle with hand tattoos! It hurt somewhat and I was full of adrenaline, thinking that this must be the most badass thing I have done for a long time. Meanwhile the dot has already gone and I internalized that skill comes with practice.

Have you always been a tattoo artist?

Nah, and I sure wouldn't have thought about even answering this question just a year ago! 

I tried my best at being a diligent graphic design student before I graduated and then went astray. ;)

Do you have any memorable stories you can tell?

I think tattooing my closest friends is one of the most memorable things I experienced so far. Some of them even got their first ever tattoo done by me. It's a warm, profound feel of trust that's slopping over when you get to stab a needle and ink into the undamaged skin of someone near and dear to you. I will never forget that.

So Single Needle Tattoo Kits, I believe that home tattooing is inherently risky, but people have, and will continue to tattoo themselves, therefore making a safe and affordable kit is the way forward... What's your take on this?

I'm totally with you. It kind of scared me how many people assumed that I'd do my tattoos with a simple sewing needle and some indian ink. Tattooing is fun and if you'd like to go for it on your own, at least do it as professional as you can while not being a professional. Safety first. 

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