Culture © theother press Jennifer Aikman Look OP Contributor “Everyone’s heard of the Dutchman.” This is what a friend of mine said to me when I told him that Dutchman Tattoos had agreed to tattoo the staff of the Other Press. My friend was incredulous. “You mean, you guys are getting tattooed for free? Dutchman tattoos, for free?” I could hear him shifting the phone from ear to ear and I could picture him sitting in his living room in Winnipeg, many miles away. I was a little surprised that he had heard of this New Westminster tattoo parlour and when I told him so, he repeated, “Everyone’s heard of the Dutchman.” And indeed this appears to be true. Locally and interna- tionally, founder, John “the Dutchman”, has built an admirable reputation for his shop. A quick Google search had me wading through many references and reviews from around the world. Quickly, it became evident that Dutchman Tattoos is very well known for exceptional cus- tom work and professionalism. Their website reflects this reputation, with lots of information and photos not only of tattoos but of the shop and the artists as well. Now, I have a few tattoos, so I was- nt particularly nervous about getting another, but I could imagine how the site could put a newcomer’s mind at ease. The main page immediately addresses pretty much any Dutchman Tattoos questions you may have and encourages you to ask more in person. Looking at online photos of the shop interior I was struck by how different Dutchman Tattoos seemed in com- parison to the other shops I’d had work done at. Where were the biker dudes and the walls covered in flash art? This was all I had known previously and I admit I was a little concerned over how “nice” the shop seemed. Studying a photo of what appeared to be an immaculate studio; I won- dered if a place that looked more like a dentist’s office could deliver a ballsy tattoo. I needn't have concerned myself. While the five fortunate Other Press staffers and I sat waiting to meet our tattoo artist, I flipped through the many photo albums filled with some of the most accomplished ink work I had ever seen. From old-school sailor images to exotic Japanese art and everything in between, it was obvious the artists here were exceptional. I could hear the buzz of the needles, but unlike some other tattoo shops I’ve been in, the studio is completely sealed off from the waiting room. I immediately appreciat- ed the privacy and sanitary perks of this set-up. I was get- ting very excited. I love getting tattoos and even though it had only been three weeks since I had last had work done Photos by Kim Meier eee: Page 14 e http://otherpress.douglas.bc.ca July 2003 Do your research and then go to the best. We did. 804A 20th Street New Westminster B.C. Canada V3M 4W6 (at another local tattoo shop), I was craving a new on¢ find it’s pretty common to get just a little addicted to toos, but my abject poverty usually keeps me in check. Rob Hope came from the back to greet us and introd himself. Clean cut and friendly, he was already very di ent from any tattoo artist I had gone to. He took a moments to shake hands with each of us and consult Amanda, our Culture Editor, who was first up. Within hour she was done and one by one the other OP staff me bers disappeared into the back and re-emerged sport new skin art. Finally it was my turn and I took the opp tunity to ask Rob a few questions as he worked on the o fashioned rose I had requested. He told me that he has been a professional tattoo artist for eight years spending six of them at Dutchman. I surveyed the room and again was surprised at how clean and clinical the room was. As the needle ripped into my leg, I was reminded that tattoos are indeed open wounds and I was immediately appre- ciative of the sterility of the workspace. Gritting my teeth