In Switzerland I used to work as a tattoo artist as well. I am kind of a learning by doing person, so I watched many videos about tattooing and ordered all the stuff I needed to get started. I bought some fake skin and tried all the needles and stuff. It was very easy for me to needle on it but I had that feeling of having the wrong material to work on. So, I just worked on a nice design and pulled my leg out to tattoo on it. Yes, it was upside down, yes it did hurt but actually not that much and yes, it turned out quite good regarding it was my first tattoo. 

After that I didn’t tattoo for one year, until I was working in Jaipur and met my friend Alfons, who was my co teacher over there. One evening he complaint about tattoos and speciallyhow ugly it looks on girls. We became very fond friends and at the end of our India journey, he absolutely wanted to get tattooed by me. So, as we were back to Switzerland, I made a design of an old airplane for his chest and tattooed it under his skin. I liked it and thought, that I could practice a little more…I tattooed my other leg. What to do?

As the Tattoo was nice as well, I just started to work on clients for a very low income. They knew, I’m a beginner but where convinced to get a nice piece from me. And yes, they were all nice and I went on and on making bigger and bigger tattoos. My largest piece is a half body with a Japanese design and it took 170 hours to get it under the skin. The guy who wears it is the bravest I have ever known, when it comes to surrender to pain. We never worked less than five hours a session. 

Here in Dehradun I already have some potential clients, who are waiting for me to get started on their skin. I talked to black opal tattoo studio and maybe I will be able to tattoo there as a guest tattooer for some time. Let’s see. 

But right now, I’m still busy with my interior. As I intend to build some furniture, I had to go to the wood market and find out, what I can get there. I was very precise about the measurements, because I don’t want to bother with cutting all pieces myself. After hours of explanation I had my order placed but their delivery was quite a mess. All the lengths were wrong. But that’s how it goes very often here, no? I really learn patience over here. Koee baat nahin - after complaining to the vendor, he showed up very engaged and came to my place with his carpenter to get all the wood cut up to my wishes. Now it is just perfect and I’m looking forward to build my furniture. As it is mainly teak wood, my whole appartement has that wonderful smell of it, which reminds me of my childhood in Kenia and Sri Lanka back in time. The odor makes me feel even more safe and home. I just feel so right here in Dehradun and I’m more than thankful for this great opportunity, this country with its amazing people offer me every day.