From an early age, Donovan Strydom had a love for tattoos. At 13-years-old, he got his first tattoo, a skull, and at the age of 19, he decided he wanted to become a tattoo artist.
15 years have passed since that decision and Donovan hasn’t looked back since. Now an accomplished tattoo artist, Donovan is inking residents of Endumeni. But it’s not just inking that he does, Donovan does piercings as well.
WATCH: Donovan Strydom in action
Originally from Johannesburg, he is currently based at his home in Glencoe and is actively searching for new premises to operate from.
The biggest tattoo he’s ever done took him eight months to complete and covered someone’s back. But it’s not only the big tattoos that he’s worked on. One of the smaller spaces he’s had to work on was someone’s ear.
Donovan’s love for tattoos has grown so much, that he himself has 28, 23 of which he has done himself.
“It’s difficult but not impossible to do your own tattoos. You just need a steady hand.”
Over the years of putting ink to skin, Donovan has received many weird requests. More recently, someone asked for the words ‘It’s Friday’ to be tattooed on their back.
Donovan urged people to always think carefully about what they wanted to get tattooed on them before they did, especially if it was a partners name.
“It’s very hard to find someone else who has the same name as the person you’ve got tattooed on you.”
He also has strict rules when it comes to tattoos. “I don’t tattoo anyone under 16-years-old and I always explain the procedure properly. I also give them a trial run without the ink so they can experience the pain and see if they’re willing to continue,” he said. Donovan does cover-ups as well but prefers not to interfere with another artists work.
He thanked his wife, Yolanda, for always assisting at events or when busy with clients. He also had wise words for those considering getting their first tattoo. “Get inked or die naked,” he said.
Donovan can be contacted on 081 075 6021 for those wanting to get inked.
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