Woman. Daughter. Mother. Wife. Sister. Friend. Animal Lover. Horseback Rider. Artist. Slovenian. Tattoo Artist. Owner of International Tattoo Collective.
Meet Our Next Feature: Eva.
Eva grew up on a farm in a small village at the foothill of the Alps Mountain Range in Slovenia. They had cattle, chicken, rabbits, pigs, dogs, and her favorite, horses. She grew up riding horses and caring for their animals. She even competed in horse jumping shows. That is how she saw herself spending the rest of her life. She thought she would eventually take over the ranch, take care of the animals, and teach horseback riding. Eva truly felt this path was her destiny. She never could have envisioned leaving the ranch, let alone her country. She felt a deep connection to the animals around her, specifically her horses. There was nothing she loved more than riding them. She loved them so much she started drawing them, all the time. She had a creative part of herself that needed to be released, and she found that outlet through art. Pretty soon she was drawing all the time, and not just horses. She started to express more of an interest in making a life out of doing something with her creativity, but didn't really see how she could make it happen. She resigned herself to just having art be her hobby. She thought would just paint or draw as a hobby to fill that void. Little did that girl know, that she would grow up to be a full time successful tattoo artist with her own business half way around the world in the United States in New Jersey.
Eva's older sister had been traveling in Australia, and came home to spend time with her family. She brought Eva a present, a book of Kat Von D's tattoo art. You couldn't even buy that book in Slovenia back then. Eva was entranced and hooked from the get go. She studied that book cover to cover, page by page. There were creases at the seams and the book started to fall apart after hours and hours of use. She knew about the art of tattoo, but it was very male dominated. In the industry, men were always making big names for themselves and doing big things, but this book opened up a realm of possibility for Eva. She saw this woman with immeasurable talent, doing what men could, just as good, and maybe even better. She was inspired, and motivated. She wanted to make a living and a name for herself with art, and decided to pursue being a tattoo artist. She was convinced she could do it.
She was encouraged by her family to go to college, so she did. She studied Zoology for many years, but never gave up on her dream. She ordered tattoo tools off the Slovenian equivalent to eBay and practiced on friends. She eventually got her first job at a tattoo shop when she was 25. She eventually started traveling all over Europe to tattoo conventions to make money and see the world. Austria in specific was right next to Slovenia. Tattoo conventions there made her a lot of money, so she visited often. This is where she met her husband Joe, an American from New Jersey.
They met at a tattoo event in Vienna, and fell in love. They both loved to tattoo and travel and had instant palpable chemistry. They hit it off and never looked back. Eva eventually left Europe to move to the United States and they got married in 2018. Soon after they settled in New Jersey.
They decided to open up International Tattoo Collective in Beachwood and it has been successful and thriving ever since.
They still wanted the feeling of a tattoo convention, where everyone is equal and appreciates each other's art. This is the foundation for the style of their business. Four more artists work with Eva and Joe, and they motivate each other to get better. Each one of them brings something special to the table. They feed off each other's energy and it helps them all fall more in love with their craft because it's a collective. Animal portraits are closest to Eva's heart because of the connection she had with her animals growing up. They are her forte and favorite thing to do. She understands the bond between human and animal, it was big part of her life. Giving those sentimental pieces to other people of their animals brings her fulfillment and joy.
Eva lives in Bayville full time with her husband Joe, and her son Cameron. When I asked her what she liked the most about living here, she told me it is how accepting and open people are. She never thought she would come from this little farm under the Alps, to a beach town in America in New Jersey. She never thought she would be here. She feels like there is so much opportunity here if you are willing to work, especially locally. People are going to support you if you work hard to make a small business. This area is big on supporting local and they really get behind you. She feels like even though she is an immigrant, she gets so much support and it helps with the feeling of belonging. Slovenia is her life, her heart, and her motherland. There is part of her that will always belong there but now because of the past seven years, there is a part of her that belongs here in America too. At times she feels like she doesn't belong and misses home, but because she has so many friends behind her and a community behind her that supports her, her little family, her small business and art, they have become her family. They help her feel like this is her home, and she is grateful. Her son has a world full of opportunities now that she never had. Maybe it's not a farm and running around with animals, but it's opportunity for him to do whatever he wants to do and be whatever he wants to be. Eva is grateful for her life, how she was raised, and Slovenia, but America now too. There has definitely been challenges, but it is amazing to her that you can be growing up on a horse ranch and because you saw a woman in a book doing something different, that you can be here and make it happen too.
The Interview
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about creating a life I enjoy. I care the most about being around people I love and taking care of my family. I am passionate about pursuing new challenges and growing as a creative and a person in every aspect of my being.
What accomplishments are you proud of?
I am incredibly proud of becoming a mother. Despite all the wonderful professional achievements I’ve had in my life, and the ones I am continuing to chase after, by far most rewarding accomplishment is my motherhood.
What are the greatest challenges you have faced?
I have migrated to the USA to be with my husband and that has not always been easy. Leaving my life behind and assimilating to a new environment was hard and at times discouraging. Despite it all, I am still here. I gave birth to my son here, opened a business and completely restarted my life here from nothing.
Looking back on your life, what are one or two events that were monumental and changed your life?
Without a doubt the most monumental moment of my life was the birth of my son. I would like to believe I have had many significant moments that would be worth listing, but having my son wins them all.
What does the word feminism mean to you?
Feminism personally for me is not what you would popularly label feminism as. I believe women aren't the same as men. I do surely believe we deserve equal rights, but I also believe that we as women, have irreplaceable roles. I believe along the time that somehow those roles got stripped of their beauty and became recognized as oppression. We create life. Our power is in raising children and I think it's ultimately a lot more rewarding than any job title. I love my career and it holds a huge part of my heart, but it does not come close to how much I would sacrifice for my family. Feminism for me is understanding that this is our biggest power.
Who has been the most influential woman in your life?
The most influential women in my life are women in my family. Those who came before me and those I grew up with. I have been blessed with really powerful and strong women in my bloodline.
What do you wish you knew when you were younger?
I wish my younger self knew or had the ability to see that you don't have to fit in. Like at all. We should all embrace our uniqueness and let it guide us on our path of uncovering our passions.
What message do you want to send the next generation of women?
The next generation of women… I want you to know this. You can create your own narrative of your life. Do not let the media tell you who and what you should be. Life should be measured in how it feels to you and not how it looks to other people. Make it feel good to you.
Why is Women’s History Month important to you?
I think it's important to highlight powerful and inspiring women. We should honor those who broke societal chains and show young women we can do extraordinary things.
How can women empower themselves and others?
It's very important for women to share their stories with each other. We need to create communities of women that work together and help one another in order to create space where we support and uplift each other. Either in motherhood or on our business journey- we were never supposed to do this alone.
Thank You For Reading!
Thank you for taking the time to read this story and I hope you are as inspired by Eva as I am! You can find International Tattoo Collective in Beachwood New Jersey. They are on instagram and Facebook as well. Check out their art and follow your dreams! You never know where your passions may lead you! Stay tuned for our next feature!
