With only a year and bit of tattooing experience to her name, Estea Kloppers undoubtedly harvests incredible talent. Get to know her and her work as our featured Tattoo Artist.
Brought to you by Zappa.
Full name: Estea Kloppers
Shop: Hand of Mysteries Tattoo
Years tattooing: 1
Hourly rate: R900 or R4000 for a full day
Tell us about your journey into becoming a full time tattoo artist?
Growing up I’ve always loved art since I was like 2, every form, from pencil drawing to painting. In high school when everyone else was trying to see what they were going to study, all I could think is nope, “I want to tattoo”. Straight out of school I was at my first job at Dolce & Gabbana for two years, customising their sneakers and handbags for clients. During that I did try and do an apprenticeship, but doing 2 things at once didn’t work,
After about two years of working, I wanted to start my career in tattooing and started my apprenticeship. I was put into a lucky position to start practicing the craft quickly and loved it from the start. It’s been a year and about two months now and I am absolutely loving it, and I’m excited for the future on my journey with tattooing.
What have been some of the highlights of your career?
I think the most Important highlight to me so far has been actually starting to tattoo, it felt like a dream come true, that it was actually happening and sometimes I even now think to myself while I’m busy tattooing, like this is actually happening, I can actually say I tattoo. I think that’s amazing.
Another important thing to me is finding the perfect space, the studio I’m at now is amazing as well as everyone that works there, we all help each other and help each other grow, and I think being in a healthy environment is always the best thing for your career.
What do you feel were some of the hardest skills to master when first starting out?
So far there has been a few little struggles for me, usually a new area on the body or skin type can be difficult for the first time. For me I would say tattooing someone’s neck, since it’s in an area where it’s hard to place and stretch the skin, but over time it’s gotten a lot easier. Tattooing with a thin needle in the beginning was pretty intimidating, but now is one of my favourite needles to use.
How would you best sum up the South African tattoo scene and industry?
So far I think from what I’ve heard and learnt is we are all still growing together as an industry in South Africa, and we are all growing so well and making it a scene everyone wants to be a part of. It’s still growing, there are many talented artists here.
How do you like to make sure you keep progressing as an artist?
For myself, and I think it may be a good tip to keep progressing with anything in my opinion, is to always look for things you can do better. Even with other art forms such as painting and pencil drawing I feel you can always get better, same as my tattooing, I feel I always have room for improvement.
Explain your favourite part of the tattooing process?
From pulling that first line to the finish is my favourite! But, I would say definitely doing the linework, it’s very satisfying. Also is there’s shading, adding the shading I would say tops it because it brings everything together and adds depth to the piece.
What style of tattoo do you enjoy creating the most and why?
So far in my career I’ve enjoyed doing any form of blackwork, with the linework and pepper-shading, geometric/ dotwork. Since I’ve been doing it for a year so far I’m still experimenting with every style. I really want to get into doing some black and grey as well. I’ve done a few and starting to practice more, and I feel it’s something I will really enjoy doing in the future.
Which artists do you draw inspiration from, and why?
@lucegrey is one of my favourites because of her skill she’s at, tattooing for +-6 years, and the detail she can do within a full day, which inspires me to keep going and where I can be one day with realism, and practice more with greys.
Another artist is moosetattooart, I love his work! And, all the tattooers in South Africa inspire me, because like someone said to me “it doesn’t matter if you’ve been tattooing for 5 or 10 years, it matters what you do in those years”. All these talented artists for me that worked hard to be where they are and continue to work to improve their work each time they tattoo, and continue to be humble.
If not tattooing, then?
Mmm… that’s actually a tough one to be honest. My biggest goal was to be a tattoo artist and now I’m doing it, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. But, if I had to say, it would have to be something to do with art. Art is my only passion, so if it’s customising sneakers, painting paintings for people, or designing anything, I think that would be the second option.
What advice do you have for anyone wanting to get their first tattoo?
I’d say the best advice for getting your first tattoo, is finding something you like, it doesn’t always have to be so meaningful, but definitely something you actually like and put thought into it, it doesn’t always have to be the smallest one either. Have references ready for your artist of what you would like to get, and let them make something in their style. Always research the artist you’re going to, and make sure their style is what you’re looking for.
For anyone wanting to book and appointment with you, what’s the next step?
Send through a message to my Instagram @estea.tattoo or email Estea.tattoo@gmail.com with what you are looking to get, what size and placement. It would also help to send some references of style and what you would like. Let’s get your idea into reality!
Hand of Mysteries Tattoo
Contact: 079 054 3772
Address: Shop 20, Devon Valley Centre, 122 9th Avenue, Weltevreden Park, Johannesburg.
Facebook| Instagram | Website
Tattoos by Estea Kloppers
Photos by Alexander Wolf Photography.