Meet Dong And Bell

0:30

My name is Dong, and, um, I'm a tattoo artist in Wayfind Tattoos in Springfield, Virginia. And, um, that's it. Yeah. I, yeah. Absolutely. I'm his daughter, uh, Bell. I also work in the same industry as him, as a tattoo artist and way of ink. Yeah. Super awesome. I can't wait to just learn more about all the creative stuff you guys do. Dong, for those who may be meeting you for the first time, can you share a little bit about your background and what first sparked your interest in tattooing? I came here in the 90s, so that's when I'm started. And, um, first I just go to the, um I don't know if you remember Tao Record? No. So the, the place have magazine, so they, and then, and CD, you know, and stuff. And I, I pick up the tattoo magazine, and I, I fell in love with the art.

Falling For Tattoo Art

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Okay. Very interesting. And then, um, and then I'm asking my mom for the money to get a tattoo machine, and, um, yeah, and then I'm start from there. Okay. Yeah. And can I ask you, what was it about that moment, when you were really inspired by those magazines to just pursue this path? It's just like, um, because I, I, I draw on paper whole my life, and this is very interesting to draw on people, and, uh, yeah. I never see it before in, in Vietnam, so I, I see it here, and, uh, it's here really, uh, like, um, it's no, no, um, I don't know how to say, like, um, no one judge you for the tattoo here, you know? Yeah. Absolutely. They're thought of a lot differently here and I love that you were able to really just flourish that passion that you had for art and being creative, um, as opposed to Vietnam. It was more kind of conservative there. Yeah, people, uh, they don't like to see people with a tattoo and probably they really judging over there. So, um, yes, and here, nobody really care. They, maybe they like it more, you know? Yeah. So yeah, that's why I, I like to do it. Okay. Kind of a difference in culture. Yes. And what was the journey like for you in building Way of Ink into what it has become today? I don't know. I, somehow I come up with a name Way of Ink because I like the, uh, the way of art, way of, um, anything, you know, is, and then I just come up with way of ink, so just like, uh, the way of the ink, you know, like Mm-hmm. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Absolutely. Just let your creativity flow. Just go with the flow, like, just the way it is, you know? Yes.

Naming Way Of Ink

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Yeah. How it is. Yes. Of course. And Bell, it's so special that you are joining your dad for this experience on the podcast. What has it been like growing up around his work and seeing his journey firsthand? Uh, what I can say, growing up in this, like, tattoo world is definitely, like, a change in my own life because, like, obviously as a kid, like, you have other dreams to do, but, like, I grew up in the shop basically just running around with my sister. So, like, I guess he inspired me of, like, wanting to be a tattoo artist. Definitely, like, his art, like, skills, like, were passed down to me. Absolutely. Nothing better than the learn right from dad, right? Yeah. Very cool. Very cool. I'm super excited for you and just all that comes your, your way in the future. I'm excited too. And Dong, your work reflects both, like I said, creativity, but also precision. How would you describe your artistic style and what you enjoy creating most for your clients? I like to learn new stuff every day, so I will provide my clients everything they, they wanted. I can do any style. Yeah. Yeah. If they want it, like, I always say, if you can dream it, and I can ing it. If you can think it, I can ing it. Yes.

Style, Skill, And Coverups

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Love it. You can make it happen. Yes. Very accommodating. Just come in, tell me what you like, what you dream about, what you wanted, you know, what you come up with the idea when you drunk, whatever, and I, I will make it happen. I feel like as they start talking, you just have this vision start to just form. Yes. And you're able to make that real. Yes. And you mentioned you enjoy taking on more challenging pieces like coverups. What do you love most about transforming something older into something new for your patients? Or instead of patient's clients, I should say. It's, I just don't like to see the, the ugly tattoo, so I'll always tell them, like, COVID up or fixing it. Yeah. It's really bothered me to see something like that. Yeah. I want something beautiful, you know? Yeah. Something they can feel proud and confident about. Yes. Mm-hmm. And that maybe something reflects the old them, but they want it to be accurate with- Yes. who they are today. Sometimes, uh, that's their past, you know, but it, you have to move on, you know, get over with COVID up, you know? Yes. Starting a new chapter. There you go. Starting a new chapter. And many of your clients clearly love your work and keep coming back. What do you think keeps people returning to you over the years? I like build friendship with them, you know? Most of it, I like to be built friendship, you know, and come and hang out, you know, talk about idea. Yeah. Just come talk. You don't have to be getting tattoos, just come hang out and talk. It's fine to me, yeah. Just come hang out. Yeah. I was gonna say, I bet you have built just so many, like, of those client relationship, friendships over the years. Yes.

Friendship With Clients

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And I'm sure they wanna tell you about their families and all- mm-hmm. just keep you in the loop. I s- I, I'm tattoo dad and I'm tattooed their children and then now I'm tattooed the children of their children already, yes. How full circle is that? That's good. That's nice. And tattooing is always evolving with new styles and trends. How do you stay inspired and continue growing as an artist in such a fast moving industry? That's why I always keep up. I always learning. Any new trend, new style, I, I, I, I learn it. You're up to date on it? Update, yes. Very cool. And- Really open mind, you know, I'm really open mind to it. Yeah. I have to be super optimist- optimistic, I feel. Yeah, I have to open my I, I'm not play. Oh, no, I don't like to do that. No, I, I don't say that. I always, yeah. You're down, you're down for the challenge. Yep. And Bell, from your perspective, what stands out most about your dad? Not just as an artist, but as a person. I guess the, the way he, like, jokes with stuff, it's very different from what I hear from, like, other adults that I've met or, like, other parents. It's just, it's very unique and- Very special, you know? It's just, he always had, finds a way to, like, make people laugh and stuff. I like that about him and just, like, what a great dad he is. Like, because he's taught me, like, so much of my life that is useful now yeah. Absolutely. A wonderful role model to learn from. Yeah. And a teacher too. Yes. Yes. And Dong, I, I re- I, there's something about you that just makes people feel comfortable and I think that's so important in, you know, the field of tattooing, um, and being able to just feel genuine, like, they can just come and chat with you, you know? Yes. And what do you enjoy most about just connecting with your clients during the tattoo process? I think we just joking a- around, you know, talk fun stuff. Yeah. Talk about movie, you know, like joking around, yes. Yes. And you've mentioned events like Friday the 13th specials. What makes those days so fun and unique for both you and your clients? It's fun. Um, most of the time, uh, Friday 13th see drawing the, the little cute design. And yeah, and then we just wanna have fun, you know, for Friday 13. Everybody think that's a bad luck day, but we think that's a good luck day. That's a good day at Way of Ink. Yeah. Yeah. Bella, I love how you're able to kind of be included in that and create

Friday The 13th Flash Fun

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designs for that. Yeah. Um, like every Friday 13th, I always, like, get people's, like, what they want, like requests and all that stuff. And the next, next event, I, I draw for them, and then if they like it, they get it, and if they don't, then they wanna get something else, and I draw it for them for next time. Okay. Yeah. Now for these Friday, the 13th tattoos, are they kind of smaller, more on the medium side? Is there any kind of, like, details about them that you wanna let us know? I guess, like, they're different from the ones that we have on the flash. So I wanna, like, do something different for those, the people who don't like what they see, so just give some more like choices to pick from. Variety, yeah. Yeah. Very cool. Very cool. And as you look ahead, for both of you, what are you most excited about when it comes to continuing your work and creative journey with Way of Inc.? Yes. We go keep growing. Yeah, make it, you know, more fun for people. That's what's so great is, like, there's always more for us to learn no matter how old we get in life that we're always learning something new every day, there's new people to meet and be inspired by. Honestly, your work is super inspiring, so I know when people come in, it probably just gets

What’s Next And How To Book

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the gears turning. And for anyone who may be discovering your work for the first time, and would, what would you want them to know about the experience they can expect when they come to your shop? Um, they will expect it's very good tattoo. That's what the first one. And I will make it even more good looking and more mind blowing for them. Yes. Having that quality work that will also last a long time as well. Yes. For life. That's awesome. That's awesome. And Bell, as you think about your future, how has growing up around, you know, your dad's creativity and passion influenced your perspective and your interests? I'm, like, still trying to find my style in art, so I guess being with my dad, like, gives, like, creativity in my mind to figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life. But I definitely want to try to do everything that he does. That's just my plan to be the best as he is right now. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Um, I mean, I have other stuff to do. Like, I'm, like, currently in the learning of piercing, so I'm definitely gonna do that get my license for that and everything. So then, um, you know, other people can just come for piercings, not for just tattoos. Absolutely. I was gonna say, yours are so pretty. Thank you. I'm just admiring them over here. Very cool. Well, I know your future is super bright. Thank you. And, you know, for anyone listening who wants to book a tattoo or learn more about your work, where can they find and connect with WaveInc? Just waving.com. Yeah, it's pretty simple and very easy to remember it. Wonderful. Yeah. Just Wave Inc. Perfect. On Instagram. Or Instagram, yeah. Or whatever, just wave in. Yeah. Awesome. And you're located in Springfield? Yes. Wonderful. As we wrap up today, is there anything either of you would like to add that I haven't touched on today? No. Covered it all pretty good. Yeah. Thank you so much, Dong and Bella, Bell, for joining me on, on the podcast and sharing your knowledge, creative passion, and stories with us. I wish you both the very best and all that comes your way in the future. Thank you. Thank you for having us. Thank you. Thank you.