Getting to know an award-winning tattoo artist
She earned the Best Female Artist of the Year 2018 award at the Ink and Iron International Competition.
ELAINE Lombard, owner of Totally Ink’d Tattoos, in Florentia, is living proof that as long as one has passion for what they do, nothing can stop them from reaching their biggest dreams.
The RECORD recently met Elaine (43) and got to know her a bit better. As it turns out, she is a multi-award-winning tattoo artist with adoring clients from around the world.
Elaine is married to Chantal Lombard, who works with her at Totally Ink’d. They have 18 rescue cats, their feline children.
Elaine is so passionate about her job that when she has a day off, she often drives her wife mad as she longs for the “therapeutic buzzing” of her tattoo machine.This love started when she was young and used to watch her brother do tattoos. She found it fascinating and said that’s when the “tattoo bug bit her”. Without any experience, she practised tattooing by herself and she never became bored of it.
Around eight years ago, her tattooing career took off in Durban. She later moved to Johannesburg in search of better opportunities. Having initially moved to Westdene, they finally settled in Alberton a couple of years ago.
Award-winning art
She has clients from far and wide, including other provinces and even Germany and the United Arab Emirates. The number of tattoos that Elaine completes per week varies greatly but can be between four and 10 weekly and up to 36 monthly.
Elaine’s biggest inspiration is her late mother, Rina Schmidt, who always encouraged her to believe that she could do anything. Now that her mother is no longer with her, Chantal is her biggest inspiration and supporter.
“The best part about my job is that I get to create permanent art every day,” said Elaine with excitement. “I can be creative in any colour and style and that is what I do for a living. I can’t ask for anything better.”
Her passion has helped her reach one of her biggest dreams: earlier this year, she earned the Best Female Artist of the Year 2018 award at the Ink and Iron International Competition. She used to doubt that she would ever achieve such an accolade.
Thanks to her wife, Elaine finally felt confident enough to participate in competitions, and since 2015 she has earned awards every year. Today she has 12 awards, which she proudly displays in the tattoo shop. She plans to hold on to her Best Female Artist title, no matter what it takes.
Elaine’s ultimate dream is to have international franchises in multiple countries. Another dream is for her to be able to work late-night shifts and sleep during the day, as she dreads getting up early. Lastly, she wishes that all her clients would take good care of their tattoos because she is very proud of each tattoo she creates.
Her message to readers and potential tattoo recipients: “Please do proper research before heading to any tattoo shop. Get to know the artist and make sure they use trustworthy ink. Get to know your tattoo artist – their tattoo will remain with you forever!
“Do what you want and say how you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”
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