by Robbie Pangilinan
Tattoo artist Daenee Maree M. Bartolome comes as a surprise. She inks others, does the art she loves so well on people’s skin, but she has no tattoo herself.
“Sila may tattoo, ako wala. Isa yan sa mga kaibahan ko sa ibang tattoo artists,” says the female artist.
Daenee “Chukchuk,” as she is known, has always liked drawing intricate designs. It is where she feels happiest.
“Hilig ko na talaga simula bata pa ako. Dito ako masaya,” she shares.
Daenee started with Henna tattoo and she has been doing this for the past 6 years. Three years ago, she leveled up to using a machine to etch permanent tattoos.
Her friends, tattoo artists Sharmyn Barredo and Gilbert “Dice” Ceballos, invited her to a tattoo shop and asked her to draw. They saw her potential so they had her do Henna tattoo right the very next day.
When she did her first permanent tattoo, Daenee was nervous because she knew she could not make a mistake.
“Pag nagkamali ako baka bugbugin ako nung tinatooan ko. Pero nung nagstart na, ok naman pala,” says the freelance tattoo artist whose art has taken her to Sta. Rosa, Pacita, San Pedro, Balibago, Alabang, Puerto Princessa, Puerto Galera, and Subic, among many others. She has had clients from all around the world – Korean, German, American, etcetera, but many are still Filipino.
Aside from her excellent drawing skills, Daenee is loved by her clients because he is friendly, kind, trustworthy,understanding, and able to work in any kind of situation.
“Mayroon akong malasakit sa costumers ko. I maintain good relationship with them kaya balik sila nang balik sa akin,” she adds.
Daenee admits that getting a tattoo is painful, but is a unique art work favored by equally unique people.
“Siyempre tattoo masakit kasi balat yan. Pero tolerable naman , hindi sobrang sakit gaya ng iniisip ng mga tao. Art yan. May ibig sabhin kaya tinatoo yan, hindi basta nilagay yan sa balat para dumumi lang. Memorable yan sa kanila,” she says.
The tattoo artist who does not sport a tattoo may give in to getting one if it’s her dream style: pointillism. Pointillism is a technique of neo-impressionist painting using tiny dots of various pure colors, which become blended in the viewer's eye. It was developed by Georges Seurat with the aim of producing a greater degree of luminosity and brilliance of color. She also wants to try using organic sliver.
For artists interested in doing skin art, Daenee says, “Just love your job, always give the client 100% satisfaction. And have an attitude na hindi maiilang sa iyo ang client.” #
