My name is Jaate Serlippens and I started working as a handpoke tattoo artist in 2020. At that time I was still studying to be an energy and environmental engineer. These studies were interesting and the environment has always been important to me, but the field didn’t feel like me. Back when COVID hit I suddenly had time and I started to try to make handpoke tattoos. There the journey started. I speak English, Finnish and Dutch. 

These days I am a handpoke artist and make paintings. I paint and draw and you can see these artworks on my social media and at my studio. 

The fact is that I never thought I would be a tattoo artist, BUT I was always interested in tattoos. My mom has a picture of me when I was 6 years old and had just gotten new markers and drew both of my legs full with space themed pictures. I hid in my room and my mom was thinking it is offly quiet upstairs. She came to see me fully invested in drawing my legs full. When I was 7 I told people at school that I can’t wait to be 18 so I can be fully tattooed! Over the years, always when I was bored in class or home I drew on my own skin. Before even starting to make tattoos I drew designs for my friends. 

So when finally I got the chance to work in a studio I had to take it. So I started as an apprentice in 2020. After this I opened my own small studio in the centre of Tampere in 2021 August. This place was sold in 2023, and therefore I moved to Kaleva in Tampere. Having my own spot feels like me, I feel like I can create a safe space where everyone is welcome. 

A littlebit about me, I am a crazy dog mom, I have one dog for now, but hopefully more in the future! Animals, their wellbeing and helping them is one of the most important things in my life. I do work as a volunteer in Rescueassociation Kulkurit ry, helping rescue dogs in Romania. My own dog is a rescue from Russia and he arrived to my life in 2020 october. Arno is a funny goofy boy, who was scared of many things, he still is, but he is concuring his fears every day.  

Another thing that is close to my heart is ranting over equality and how all people should be treated equally and with love and empathy. I am fully against discrimination, racism or any form of bullying. 

Otherwise I love to go on long forest walks, knit, paint and be at the stables with horses and just learn how they behave in different situations. I love to learn how animals communicate.

For the last paragraph let’s go back to tattoos. I love that tattoos are always a personal decision, you can decide yourself if you want to get one meaningful tattoo, or 30 funny and goofy tattoos. Tattoos are always personal and every idea is important and you should always listen to yourself with it. Your ideas are important.