Artist/Owner
The Artist
Cindy
Hi, my name is Cindy. I have been a tattoo artist for the past 8 years. Life however wasn’t always about my passion. Like many I have had numerous careers. I was born in Kimberley and I grew up in Bloemfontein. I had the privilege of going to one of the most prestigious schools in the free state. Art was always my favourite subject and offered me a way to escape life and the madness that sometimes surrounded it. At 16years old we relocated to Durban. I matriculated and went to UKZN where I got a degree in Media and Communication and Afrikaans and Nederlands.
At 26 I got married and moved for a brief two years to Nelspruit. It was here that I opened my own arts and craft store called Creative Beginnings. It was packed with everything an artist oiled want or need. To nurture my creative side I offered classes in painting and we did a few kids parties too. Sadly the business closed and we moved back to Durban. Fast forward a few years I got divorced and as I felt my world was crumbling I always had one source of escape and that was my art.
At this stage I already had a few tattoos and slowly started to grow my personal collection on my skin. My first tattoo I got at 19 and I even designed it myself. For a long time I didn’t get anything until I did the butterflies on my back. Each one representing a member of my family. It was comforting to know that I carried something that represents them with me all the time. Before, during and after my divorce my body art grew rapidly. I found meaning in all the pieces I added and reminders of the internal strength I carried. Slowly as time pasted I collected more and more. Fast forward a bit and an opportunity I never considered opened up. I was approached by Etienne from Fine Line tattoo and piercing to be an apprentice at his studio. Without hesitating I jumped at the offer.
The apprenticeship was hard and challenging but I knew the reward that awaited me at the end. I wanted to enrich lives through my art and help as many people as I could. I knew how much my tattoos, no matter how small or how big, helped me through some really dark times and really good times, I wanted others to experience the same. Tattooing has become my life and healed parts of me I thought I lost.
Opening my own private studio was a dream come true. At Stitched Up Ink I want to create a safe and private environment where people can escape. Whatever the reason for the tattoo I want them to feel comfortable and at home. Building trust and having the best tattoo experience that they can.
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