Although his name evokes Route 66, the American road trip par excellence, David Mitchell is actually from La Rochelle and has been living on the island of Ré for love for several years. His “home sweet home” is in the shadow of…
Although his name evokes Route 66, the American road trip par excellence, David Mitchell is actually from La Rochelle and has been on the road to Ré for love for several years. His “home sweet home” is in the shadow of the Phare des Baleines where he has set up his life as a fulfilled father.
With a neat look, laughing eyes, and a gentle smile, the tattoo artist from La Rochelle opened his shop in July and August in Saint-Clément-des-Baleines. The former hair salon, vacant for a year, was given a makeover by the artistic fingers of the thirty-year-old who handles a brush as well as a dermograph. Santa Rita Tattoo was born, as bright as its host. Meet David Mitchell, who has made his childhood dream come true: to make a living from his drawings.
You are one of the tattoo artists in La Rochelle Tatouage de Niko Buschman, why this choice of ephemeral salon?
The opportunity presented itself with this “shop”. My darling is interested in taking over this old hairdressing salon, but it’s still too early for her (Editor’s note, Virginie Wachter aka Barn’s, mixed hairdressing and barber in Loix). Given the reasonable rent, I will somehow furnish the vacant space in this communal space (laughing). Everyone wins. The opportunity to test myself here, because the goal is also to be able to settle on the island. And that’s travel time saved.
Each tattoo artist has his signature, his signature. What’s yours ?
My specialty at the store is fine lines which require good dexterity. I make my own creations and fulfill customer orders. I don’t like to lock myself into one thing, Niko trained me to do everything. I like traditional American and Japanese, mandalas and the challenge of “Cover” (covering one tattoo with another).
And your little extra something?
Restoring confidence to a person who no longer dared to go topless by covering a badly aged or badly done tattoo with an aesthetic work. There is a psychological side to this work.
Santa Rita Tattoo, 150 rue du center, Saint-Clément-des-Baleines. Contact: @santarita_tattoo, davidmitchell_tattoo or 06 75 34 96 62.
