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Demanda Lavette, just like the rest of us normal
people, is a product of her ever changing environment.
She listens to all the right bands, keeps all the
best friends, and, well...certainly has all the right sorts of
tattoos. Combined, all the little things in her life add up to
one much larger thing: making damn sure that the world
knows she ain’t just some girl from down South.
For a girl with so many tattoos, you be surprised if she hadn’t had
them done by a great group of artists, right? Lucky for her, Atlanta is
home to many well rounded shops with great resident artists.
Demanda chose Liberty Tattoo for their reputation with traditional
tattooing as well as, no doubt, the fact that they’re some of the coolest
dudes around town. Chris Howell takes credit for her left arm,
“Nana” on her right arm, and the tattoos on her back, throat, stomach,
and some on her hips. He’s also responsible for the pinups and
bows on her legs. Shay Cannon helped with rest of her right arm, her
chest, and the “Baby Bean,” the anchor, and the strawberries on her
right leg. Phil Colvin (who now owns Memorial Tattoo on the other
side of town) did her inner thighs, her foot, and the sparrow on her
hip. Her knuckles, some of the only tattoos she hasn’t had done at
Liberty, are by Adiel at Electric Body Art in Marietta, Ga.
Besides collecting tattoos and modeling the living shit out of her
free time, Demanda also enjoys old movies and hot dogs. Oh, and she
really likes being outdoors, riding dirt bikes, and spending as much
time near the ocean as she can manage. Lucky for you, dear reader,
she’s also available for interviews.
So, PRICK readers are dying to know a little about you.
Could you explain a bit for us?
Well, I’m obsessed with being a girl. I’m all about make-up, shoes, and
getting all dolled up. I enjoy burlesque and I just signed on with Big City
Burlesque. I’m very excited. I love the city, but am more of a country
girl at heart. I’m a sugar-n-spice baby doll and I’m also the prissiest
tomboy you will ever meet. And I have a huge heart for animals.
When did you first become interested in tattoos?
Since I was a lil' girl, every birthday and holiday I always
wanted tattoos. My mom compromised by letting me
have piercings. Once I turned 18, I hit the shop and
went crazy.
How has being tattooed affected the way in
which you perceive yourself or how you are
perceived by others?
I love to express myself and I think that my tattoos allow me to do that. In some ways
it keeps me grounded. This is who I am and what I love. When it comes to other people,
it’s definitely a mix of love and hate; some people adore it and others just don’t
understand it.
Are there any particular artists who you'd like to have work done by?
Oh, yes. There are plenty. I love the traditional style and I am really fond of Liberty
Tattoo's traditional work. I just got back from LA. and the Ink-N-Iron Festival where I
saw a ton of amazing artists and got tattooed by Nick Rodin of Blackheart Tattoo out
of San Francisco. It’s a dancing pork chop wearing a cowboy hat and boots, holding a
sign that reads, "Put some pork on yer' fork.” Nick was awesome and I look forward
to getting more work from him in the future.
Speaking of the future, where would you like to see yourself in a few years?
I would like to make a name for myself in the modeling and pinup communities all over
the country. Then one day I’d like to settle down, get married, and have little hellions
running around.
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