Interview Zak Dubi DuBois

Zak Dubi Dubois

Name: Zak Dubi Dubois

Can you discribe yourself in one sentence?     Calm and Collected, with a nice butt
-Chelsea Austin

When did your passion for piercing start?
I started putting "jewelry" or random key chain rings around my lip and into stuffed animals at a young age

So I'd say I guess I always had an interest but didnt know what it was yet or if it was anything really. I just thought I and my things looked better with jewelry through its body.

How did you become one and who was your teacher?
16 years ago I got an apprenticeship at a little tattoo shop that I had gotten tattooed at and it was just 1 guy so I asked him to teach me and he took me on. His name was Johnny and he was awesome. My apprenticeship was about 6 months long. I learned very quickly it came pretty naturally.

I moved to Dallas Texas straight away out of my apprenticeship and got a job at a shop in
Deep Ellum called "Skin&Bones body piercing" and thats when I really felt like I was an actual professional piercer. I have always tried to stay open to opinions and trying new thing so I like to say I am always learning and will continue to stay in that mindset so that I continue to progress as an artist.

Who inspires you?
I get inspired by everyone really. I see so many amazing piercers learning and doing new things with jewelry and techniques and that is always amazing to hear and learn about everyones new ideas cause that give me an opportunity to learn again so stayin in that constant progression again. There are so many people to list that I have learned from, looked up to, and tried to work similarly too. To name even a few would not be enough. I am inspired by everyone!



Working as a piercer?
Short answer.
Its the best "job" in the world and if you have an interest I highly encourage you to follow that and see what you are capable of. Id encourage anyone to do that with whatever they are passionate about. But piercing is in my opinion the best job ever!

Tell us about your shop Dubois Piercing ?
"Dubois Piercing", is my new business. Its just me right now and I am actually inside of a local tattoo shop called Chapman Ave tattoo in Fullerton California

I own and operate all of the body piercing and jewelry. I work along side APP standards but I am not yet a member. I use a "freehand/palming/ninja grip" technique, I work out of a Statim, I use only APP approved jewelry vendors. And sterile saline wound wash aftercare from both steriwash and neilmed piercing aftercare

I eventually would like to have my own studio all together and that will happen in time. But right now I am perfectly happy where i am. It gives me the opportunity to focus on my constant progression of my skill set and what i offer to my clients



Do you do more than just piercings?
Yes. My day to day is mostly body piercing but i do offer scarification, earlobe reconstruction, just started offering subdermal implants and soon I will add transdermal implants, tongue splitting, coin slots, and ear pointing as time goes on. But the way I like to do things is strategic in learning and focusing on a step by step or focus on one thing at a time so eventually I'll be able to offer everything my clients could want and be confident in my skills and knowledge that they will be 100%happy with the outcome.

Ambassador, actor and modeling? ....Tell us more
Haha ohhh my other professional/personal life well thats lots of fun too!

I am a brand ambassador for a workout supplement company called The Genius Brand. I spend 4 mornings a week in the gym and care very much about my health. The Genius brand supplements send me free stuff on occasion when I tag them in my photos on my fitness Instagram page @fitnessdubois127 I enjoy working out and they had contacted me so I signed on.

Actor- wellll Ive done some things havent I hahahaha

I have a cousin who works in the movie industry and asked me to be in a movie some years back cause the part needed someone with my look so my cousin called me. I had 2 scenes and 7 lines. I shared a scene with the actress Kate Beckinsale, its was a very cool experience and I got paid very nicely so that was cool, the Lifetime tv network bought the movie, chopped it up, cut me out, and then aired it, but since I was still on the original credits I still got a residual check twice from them too so that was awesome again.

Then In 2017 Halloween time I worked as a scare monster for a haunted house called The 17th door that was a whole bunch of fun too.


Modeling- welll I like to model a bit sometimes its just me in a natural state no makeup or anything but the most fun i have modeling is when I get dressed up as my clown "animal"


You can see that stuff on my modeling Instagram @zakdubois

I go to photo meet up and private shoots too its alot of fun and lets me relax and let go a bit and have a good time. Plus I get really awesome pictures taken by some amazing photographers.

Guest artist/ traveling?
I'm not opposed to it but I like stayin close to home mostly. I have a family too and I enjoy spending time with them as well.


When did you start with scarification & implants?
Ever since the beginning of my career I've had an interest in doing body modification and body art more than body piercings. But the way that I've wanted to work and learn has been to keep focus on one thing and get good at that before you move on to the next step. So as I got more and more experienced as a piercer I kept my eye on scarification art and implant work both subdermal and transdermal. Never going hands on always asking questions and studying in my own off time and doing procedures and what not in my head over and over and over and over and over etc.. and after many years of mentality analyzing, watching videos, asking questions I started doing scarification in 2018. I bought Steve Haworths implant tools In may 2019 so now I happily started offering implants as well.

What do you think about the modification culture these days? Is there something you like to see change.
I think its fantastic that more and more people are learning to let themselves actually become themselves. I love change and evolving so I just love seeing people change and encourage them to just do so in a safe and clean way.

What has been the high point of your career so far? What are you most proud of?
Starting my own business is definitely the high point. Im most proud of my patience and determination to not let anything get in my way.


Do you have a nice experience you'd like to share with us? APP conference 2019.....If you know you know.
3 words though...   It was amazing!

Is there something we do not know about you but would like to share?
When I was 20 years old I worked the door at a bar carding people
Shhhhhhh...... Hahahahahaha

How do you see the future? Are there plans? Do you have a personal goal
The future for me is a big wide open space that i keep my imagination open to all kinds of wonderful great things and each one that i commit to i will achieve.

My plans are to continue to be happy and successful in my work and in my personal life as well.

Personal goal is just to live each day to the fullest and never forget to be thankful for everything and everyone I have and have had in my life.

Do you have any advice for our readers?
Wake up and make your bed every day.

Start with that one accomplishment and continue your day with other small accomplishments until you end your day completely accomplished and can start over again tomorrow on tomorrow's Tasks.

"Its not about how hard you can hit.
Its about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward."
-Rocky

"Life may going to knock you down, its up to you weather or not you get back up again" -Jackie Chan


Duboispiercing website
Duboispiercing instagram






-Angie
Photos and answers Zak Dubi Dubois

24th annual association of professional Piercing conference

 May 12-17 Las Vegas


Finally,
Since I was an Al.D Scholar in 2016, I got my first taste of this conference, amazing, big, awesome, well organized, great team..... it left me with a huge impression, striking experience.
So, back full with knowledge and energy boost, I decided I wanted to be part of that every year.
But still, being a small studio owner, low volume, it's hard to get there on your own.

I had my scholarship in 2016, and so happy for the help. Scholarships are so important, especially for people who want to come, but struggle. It's good to see that the amount of scholarships are growing. So more people can have a chance to attend.




Due to my daughters ilness, I  put the planning aside.
Now that she is doing better, I took the plunge and bought flighttickets.




Finally, I was there again 3 years later. A bit proud, on myself that I did it without help/scholarship.

This year conference was held in  Planet Hollywood for the first time. Must say I like this place better instead of Bally's.

Again it was incredible, reunite with Caitlin again :) and my volenteer family
From friday on, the hotel slowly started to fill up with beautifull and amazing people all with the same passion. Conecting with new and old friends. Networking with peers from over the world.

From monday till friday you could follow classes, seminars, tours and some workshops
classes like: " Safe practices in piercing room", " mentoring aprentices" basic and advanced lip, nipples, nostrils, ears techniques, anatomy above and below the neck, different tips advice about jewelery, marketing and much much more to choose from.




On teusday the expo openend, around 50 vendors in one hall, showing there beautiful new lines of jewelry, showcases and aftercare products. a real walhalla for us piercers.

You also could visit  the exhibit of Fakir Musafar, over 2000 square feet staged with his original iconic images and items, with different tourguys to choose from, friends and colleagues shared there own stories about him while walking around at the exhibit. No tour was the same.

On monday evening the opening poolparty, thursday evening the closing party and in between evenings, you had gamenights, or Forum groups, and vendors organizing parties you could go to. or just walk around and meet others at the bar.

A week with no dull moment from the time you woke up till bed time.

After conference I had the oppertunity to visit some studios as LAink, vaughn body art, Cold Steel america and Industrial tattoo and piercing

 I also visit Anatomatal, and Barry gave me a tour around. Thank you for that, (soon more about Anatometal on the blog!)
And afcourse this came along with a roadtrip, which I loved.

So much to see / visit, so little time.......

Yes, back home again, full with a new energy boost, putting all the knowledge into practice, and looking forward to next year....I wish, hope, saving up....who knows







-Angie
Photos: Angie

Interview Willem Jan Kain

Name: Willem-Jan Kneepkens Piercer at
Point Blank Tattoo & body piercing in Weert, Limburg

Can you describe yourself in one sentence?
Wow ... that's always a tricky question 🙂 friendly, patient and funny.

How long have you been piercer?
I work since april first 2017 as a professional piercer. Am still pretty new to the whole business.

Why this profession?
Interact with people, the satisfaction you get when you pierce someone with a piece of jewelry (satisfied customers) and the freedom you have.

How or from whom did you learned the skills?
I was by one of our tattoo artists, Frankie van de Wal (roodbaard_tats_art), addressed that Bart Bastiaanse of Tribal Trading trains people to piercers. we've spoke shortly and after I started his piercing course.

What was your first piercing?
That you never forget .... a navel piercing! I was amazed how easy a needle went through a skin. Before I knew it it was done . I needed to let it sink in for a while, the moment you penatrate a skin with a needle. Just for a moment unfortunately the next customer was already waiting .

Who or what inspires you?
Sandra Jetten and Bart Bastiaanse. Sandra often pierced me and I admire her calm and competence. Bart how he approached people and his dedication.

Can tell something about your studio/workplace?
The studio where I work is located in the Centre of Weert, near the Church. There are people coming in of all ages, just to take a look or to request information. The part where I pierce is at the back of the shop. I can pierce my customers in peace .

What type of piercing do you prefer?
There is actually no piercing that I don't like to do.

What is the best piece of advice you ever got when you started out and think it would help other starters in this industry?
Don't pierce it if you can't control it or feel uncomfortable with. Ask other piercers and, if necessary, go be a day to another shop and learn from another piercer

Do you have a nice or weird experience you'd like to share?
Twins who came in one of them wanted a helix. The one who felt the inpact of the needle during the process was not the one sitting in the Chair she felt nothing at all, but her sister did

Does your work involve more than just piercings?
Mainly only piercing, if I have nothing to do then I foresee the tattooists by amenities and make sure all the tools which I and the tattoo artists need are sterile.

How do you see yourself in 5 years? 
be fulltime piercer, and have a very wide range of jewelry.


Do you have a tip or do you want to add something to this interview?
Continue to learn, speak with other piercers and learn from others.

pointblanktattoo.nl

-Angie
Answers and photo's: Willem-Jan
-Published Tattoo Planet emagazine 136/juli

Guest piercer in Holland

Aiden Johnson

Aiden Johnson, experienced piercer from the UK, is guest-spotting at Rotterdam’s Inkstutition Classic Glamour and Amsterdam’s Classic Ink & Mods Dare 2 Ware. In The eight years as a piercer, he grew immensely, from a piercing fanatic to a well established name in the industry. Treasurer for the UKAPP, teacher and friend for life, he can talk hours about metal and polish.

How’s Holland treating you?
It’s all good here. I’m surrounded by a great team at all 3 shops and everyone has welcomed me and made me feel at home.

Have you guest-spotted before?
Ahahaha have I! I think the total count for last year was 36 guest spots in 27 different shops across 5 countries. Everything from little 1 person shops through to shops with multiple piercing rooms, high volume to low volume, high end to basic and everything in between.

How did you became a guest-piercer at Sharon’s studio?
It’s a story that starts 10 years ago. My lovely lady Anna Garvey (@anna_adorned) went to guest in Rotterdam and met Joan Dee (@miss_scarrific). Fast forward 10 years and Joan had fallen sick and needed someone to cover her shifts. She spoke to Anna et voila I arrive in Amsterdam. I then built up a good relationship and became a regular guest.

Helping out setting up a new studio?
I had mentioned to Sharon that I felt like staying still for a while. The 12 months previous to setting up Classic Glamour was a whirlwind. She proposed the idea of me acting as consultant to setup her new shop.

Do you miss home?
Sometimes I do. I’m a country boy at heart and I’m from a beautiful little place called Ironbridge in Shropshire (Google it!) so I’m always thinking about that. I miss Anna and my dogs (Coral and Fang) but Anna flies over to see me once a month and in May 2018 we all be moving into our camper van for some Euro adventures. If you know me and want a visit them fire me a message and I’ll see if you’re on
my route.

Since you like to travel around, do you have a dream spot in the world you like you guest-spot one day?
I’m hoping to tick this one off the list after APP in summer. I really want to go and spend some time at Cold Steel in San Francisco. I have visited San Francisco before and Paul King (and all his team) are people that I look upto in the industry. I’d also love to guest at Infinite in Philadelphia one day. Other than that I have been lucky and got to work in a lot of the shops that I look to for inspiration. Shout out to my wonderful girls Maree (@piercingsbymaree at @reb3lstudios), Nicole (@wklp at @love_hatelondon) and the wild Helen (@holierthanthoumanchester)

Can you describe us Dutchies in one sentence?
Straight to the point, caring and independant. There’s something about you guys that I really love.

Will you be back again?
Yeah I will! I have a few plans to come back during June and September. Keep an eye on my instagram for upcoming dates (and terrible memes).


Want to be pierced by aiden ?
He will be here till may 14th at Classic Glamour Rotterdam or Dare 2 ware in Amsterdam
Or keep an eye on his Instagram @aidenmustdie


Classic Glamour: 
We are the first luxury piercing boutique in The Netherlands based in Rotterdam. We work with the best piercers and jewelers from around the globe.

To provide the best service and to give every customer full attention and the right advise on their piercing, placing and kind of jewelry, we work on appointment only.

You can make an appointment by phone - email - DM

Our piercers can’t wait to give you a warm welcome and show our exclusive collection while you enjoy a nice glass of bubbles.
-Sharon & Duncan

Mariniersweg 78A
3011NT Rotterdam



http://dare2wear.nl/nl
http://classicinkandmods.com/
https://m.facebook.com/Classic-Glamour-154721735231997/

-Angie
Photos and answers by Aiden Johnson
-Published Tattoo Planet emagazine 133/may 2018

Interview Debbie Bijster

Name: Debbie Bijster, owner Dejama piercing in Purmerend.

Can you describe yourself in one sentence?
I'm a daughter, wife, mom, and friend, a perfectionist, professional, friendly, sociable, spontaneous, patient and creative.

How long have you been piercer?
I got to meet my teacher in 2013, In march 2017 opened my second shop.

Why this profession?
I'm originally a nurse ( still am). From an early age I was intrigued by body art. My husband is an artist (rattlecanned) trough wich we often had a stand on conventions. My enthausiasm was becoming stronger. When I was 35 I set my mind to learn about body modification and have made every effort able to be a piercer and voila                                                         

How or from whom did you learned the skills?
Once I had it in my head to become a piercer, I wrote two letters to two piercers I had in mind I wanted to learn from. One could not do it of private circumstances, the other one I had conversations
with, I even wrote an essay to him. He gave me the opportunity to be his apprentice, still very grateful for that. We became good friends. I still keep learning from situations, from colleagues around the world. Fantastic, I'm just like a sponge, want to know everything especially the why



What was your first piercing?
Labret

Who or what inspires you?
Ilya Langbein, Luis Garcia and Sharon Looy are the people I admire very much and gives me inspiration. Other colleagues, APP and BMXnet inspire me in addition to a number of modification artists.

Can you tell something about your studio/workplace?
In Krommenie I have a place in a big tattoo studio, between new beginning and experienced tattoo artists.Talented and super friendly people.
In purmerend I have a private studio.

What type of piercing do you prefer?
...Eeeuhm..the "tricky" piercings. People with a particular anatomy or people with special needs, the so called "projects"

But really I do like everything, because it makes people happy and every piercing is different with different anatomy.

What is the best piece of advice you ever got when you started out and think it would help other starters in this industry?
Take your time, don't go to fast
Stay honest to yourself and your clients.
Keep thinking. Do not take anything for sweet cake. But discover, research and continue to learn. If you want to get rich, find another job.

You have a nice or weird experience you'd like to share?
Each client is special, the one that remained with me the most is a man, his kids came along and sat in the waitingroom, his wife was with him. at the time I pierced the skin I was expecting an "auch" or an " F#ck" but he said "Cow meadow" I finished the procedure and after I asked him neatly where it came from, he said: " My kids are at a hearing distance"


Does your work involve more than just piercings?
Yes and No
I just pierce alone, but sometimes I feel I'm half a psychologist hahaha.

How do you see yourself in 5 years?
No idea, I have dreams afcourse, like High end jewelry only, shadowing Idols, attending the APP conference in Las Vegas, as well as UKapp and the BMXnet in Germany. working on that.
I want to be a excellent reputable piercer, who people know, and willing to travel for.

Do you have a tip or do you want to add something to this interview?
I detest people who give courses, people that tell their students you can be a piercer in 6 days for plus €2500,- Rip off
Everyone can pierce a hole, but to be a good piercer is something totally different.

In addition, people who go for quantity and seriously mutilate their customers, Piercers take at face value and take for granted because they're not explained only seen or read it somewhere.

Anyway, do it good or just don't


http://www.dejama.nl

-Angie
Pictures and answers: Debbie Bijster
Published Tattoo Planet eMagazine 133/mei2018

Back on it !

Dear readers,


I know it’s been awhile. But last year September, we almost lost our little girl. To keep a very long story short, she’s still with us, thanks to the wonderful doctors and the cardiopulmonary bypass pump (heart-lung machine), but she got diagnosed with cancer (lymphoma). So you can imagine we’ve been living in a really bad nightmare since it happened.

But I simply can’t describe how proud I am how’s she’s handling it all. With all the pain and suffering during all her necessary chemo treatments, she’s still laughing each and every day and full of energy. She’s my little superhero! I love you Raven!

And while we still have a long road ahead of us, treatments are working, things are looking better each and every day and we're slowly getting back to our normal day to day life. And that’s why I’ve decided to pick up my blog again. So if you’re interested in an interview or if you have a story or event to share, please feel free to send me a message:


email: info@modernbodystudio.nl
Facebook: www.facebook.com/angiedogspot


Thank you for understanding and your patience, but I’ll be back real soon with new blog posts!


Angie