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RACHEL AUST
GEORGIA DEVIL
by Sean Dettman
Photo by Bobby Prokenpek
From the November 2007 issue of PRICK Magazine
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Currently employed by Sacred Heart Tattoo, Rachel Aust is
young, sassy, and, above all else, hip to everything that we
think of as cool. At the tender age of twenty-three, she's
an accomplished tattoo artist, an avid rider of bikes, and, let us
not forget, has a pretty extensive collection of professional tattoos.
Her chestpiece was done by Tim Kern, her roses, face tattoos,
and the bird on her hand are by Mikey Jenkins. Phil Colvin
and Dave Kruseman, both at Memorial Tattoo, did her finger tattoos.
The bulk of her work – the majority of the black and gray,
the guns on her hips, and one of her rib panels – were all done
by the man who taught her to tattoo, Ben Miller.
Five years ago, after having just moved from Connecticut to
Virginia, Rachel was introduced to Miller, proprietor of Ben Around
Tattoos and Offbeat Gallery. After convincing him to take her under
his wing, she began her apprenticeship as a tattoo artist. A handful of
years later, she is now living in Atlanta, Ga. with a good start at creating
her part of the mythology behind female tattoo artists. Which
pretty much brings us up to date...who needs a drink?
At what age did you start getting tattooed?
I got my first tattoo three days after I turned eighteen. Even then, I
always knew that it would just be the start of it. I've always had a fascination
with tattooing for as long as I can remember.
What inspired to pick up the machine and start tattooing?
Well, I was raised in a family of artists. When I moved
to Virginia and started getting tattooed by Ben, I came
to realize that there was much more to it than just
slapping something on somebody, you know? He really
helped open me up to see tattooing as a form of art
and showed me the importance of painting and drawing
and how things should flow on a human form.
As a woman in the community, do you feel
that you are ever at a disadvantage?
It's a bit of both actually. It's a bit harder to get people
to take you seriously. I don't know if it's the fact that
people are so used to seeing tattooing as a mostly
male-dominated industry or that they just aren’t used
to seeing as many women tattoo artists. I can't count
the number of times I’ve been at the shop or at a convention
and people ask me if they can talk to the tattooer.
"I'm right here!" Don't let the skirt fool you.
What is your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?
Well, unfortunately, my family is halfway across the country from me, but I see it as more
of an occasion where you can get together with people that you care about; to think about
what we all have to be thankful for, as cheesy as that sounds. I’m horribly positive.
What are you thankful for?
The great friends I've made, my sensei, my man, and my family, of course. And the fact that
every day I live to take another breath is another opportunity to better one's self.
How do you see your life in ten years?
The same as it is now, hopefully. Having the job I love, working for great bosses, good friends
and family. Maybe a bit more traveling, if I can manage it. Other than that, it’s hard to tell.
You never know what life will throw your way – I try to live in the present.
You must have some advice to leave us with, yes?
Certainly. Work hard and you'll achieve what you want. Don't take anything for granted.
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