Tattoo Artist Schantelle

We were quite surprised when finding out that Schantelle has only been tattooing for one year, especially given the quality of her work (see for yourself below). Surely on a journey to becoming one of the top artists in the country, meet her as our featured Tattoo Artist.
Brought to you by Zappa.

Full name: Schantelle

Shop: Levitation Tattoo Studio

Years tattooing: 1 year

Tattoo style: I welcome all styles

Hourly rate: R600 per hour

What was the defining moment when you knew you wanted to become a tattoo artist?
I don’t think there was a defining moment, there was a bunch of factors and series of events in my previous career that led to my decision.

Explain your process and the time it took to become a full-time tattoo artist?
My apprenticeship started in lockdown, which was a difficult time for the industry but it did give me the opportunity to spend a lot of one-on-one time with Bryan (Du Rand) and perfect my trade.

What do you feel were some of the hardest skills to learn?
All and everything. Once you think it’s easy, the next day its hard again [laughs].

What does a day in your life usually consist of?
I start my day in bed with a cup of coffee with my best friend and partner talking about the past, present and future. Then I run off to start what I really want to do, which is designing and tattooing. We end off our day with an outdoor activity or cheerleading.

What style of tattoo do you enjoy creating the most, and why?
Realism with abstract is my favourite style because there isn’t room to play with realism, but I get to add my own design and flare with abstract, and I like the contrast of the two styles.

How do you like to make sure you keep progressing as an artist?
By setting goals and smashing them! For example, one of my goals was to be featured in LW Mag… Tick!
I think it’s important to keep learning, whether it’s a new technique, style, skill and improving on my existing skill. It’s a whole lifestyle really, I try to make sure I stay mentally and physically fit so that I am always in the best place to learn.

How would you best sum up the experience of Levitation Tattoos in one sentence?
Warm and welcoming.

If you had the opportunity to collab with any local or international artist, who would it be?
Bryan Du rand. When I started my apprenticeship, I asked Bryan when I could tattoo him/ or tattoo with him – he said the day he allows that is the day he knows I’m a competent tattoo artist. So right now, that is my biggest goal.

Where would you like to see your career take you?
Short-term goal is to be fully booked in advance, the long-term goal is to be a published travelling artist. I would love to tattoo in Colorado, Taiwan, the UK and many more countries because travelling is a big part of who I am and I would like to learn skills from different cultures.

For anyone wanting to book an appointment with you, what’s the next step?
You can contact me or the shop @leviationtattoo / @schantelle_tattoos or on 063 164 8842.

Levitation Tattoo Studio
Contact: 063 164 8842
Address: 51 Highcliff Way, Northcliff, Johannesburg
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