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April 2002 Artist of the Month |
Inkbrothers is pleased to announce the winner of our second Artist of the Month contest. Head over to Rafael's gallery and check out the art! 41 images (updated 02-16-03.) This gallery now includes photos of genital piercings.
 Rafael sets up to perform another successful, safe, and sterile piercing. |
I have been piercing for about 2 years now and find it to be one of the most enjoyable things to do aside from being with my two kids. I have always been very interested in adornment. I also have always had a fondness for indigenous people around the world and the way they choose to adorn their bodies and why.
When I decided to become a piercer I wasn't sure what steps to take. I visited several shops and was able to determine what was right and what wasn't. I also had asked a million questions, called shops in other cities, looked online, and put a game plan together. I took a class at Gauntlet in San Francisco. At the end of that class I had done a few highly supervised piercings which I took pictures of.
 This is one of Rafael's favorite images. He has a deep appreciation for this type of body modification which is practiced by the indigenous people of Africa. |
My next step was to put a sort of portfolio and resume together and start going to all the shops I thought were the right shops. I had also contacted the V.P. of the A.P.P.* and was given his much appreciated advice. I spoke to the person he told me to and landed an apprenticeship a week later at Body Rites of Austin under Chris Kane. I moved 100 miles from where I was living to Austin.
 This photo illustrates traditional West African facial scarification. Rafael has undergone a similar ritual to scar his face. |
I apprenticed about a year, about 45-60 hours a week, sometimes more but rarely less. I also had another full time job during this time because, as an apprentice, I received no money. This was a tough deal to manage with a son, but Chris Kane was an excellent example. I also had the honor of working with Ron Garza and Ricky Baronoski who were great examples as well. I would like to think that my skill and my technique reflect a little or a lot of each of them.
 The six horizontal cuts on Rafael's face were done by Chris Kane. The two vertical cuts he recently did himself. The ones Chris Kane did were rubbed with the ash from burnt Sage (a spiritual, cleansing herb used by some Native American Indians.) He and Kris performed a ritual in their studio when Rafael finished his apprenticeship. The cuts Rafael did were rubbed with tattoo ink and were done more for aesthetic purposes. |
I am currently employed full-time at Body Rites of Austin. I give everyone 100% and do my best to educate my clients why a certain type of jewelry or a certain placement may be necessary for a piercing as well as how to take care of themselves and their piercing. I hold the same very high standards I was taught by everyone involved, and I think there will always be something more to learn. This is something I would never give up. I truly have my heart set in this.
I can be reached at Body Rites of Austin just about anytime @ (512)472-4804 or emailed at: Rponce3@austin.rr.com
--Rafael Ponce
* Association for Professional Piercers - www.safepiercing.org