Darcy Cosney Ntwali’s tattoo parlour located in Remera can be pretty busy. Clients walk in around the clock to book appointments, and some are in for a previously arranged job. The most he can take a day, however, based on the time it takes for the design one wants, are five because the work strains his back. The 24-year-old struck me as man of few words, shy almost, like he has a lot to say but decides to say less. He kept a smile throughout the interview, which makes him comfortable to be around.  

This line of work has made him the contented man he is today, and says that he is a lot happier and well-off than some people with high-paying jobs.

"The profession pays well if one has great marketing strategies, is professional and offers discounts to customers,” he says.  Watching him work, he is clearly good at what he does, and these are skills he learned within a week. 

Passion for body art

Ntwali’s love for tattoos is very clearly displayed—he has five on his arm. The artist believes that everyone with a tattoo has a reason as to why they got it. Some do it because it is artistic, others for memories or remembrance, identity and so forth.

Being a visual artist—painter to be exact—and graphics designer, he says that learning the art of tattoos wasn’t a hard task. His best friend showed him the basics, like how to use the machine, in addition to lessons via YouTube. 

"Being that I already had clients for my portraits, I wasn’t starting from scratch. When one of my clients reached out to me asking if I was skilled in tattoo art, I didn’t hesitate, and accepted. I was scared of the unexpected but at the same time happy to give it a shot,” he says.

He says that the client only needed a tattoo of a birthdate, which took about 30 minutes to complete. Surprisingly, the client was impressed by the outcome and returned for a butterfly tattoo. He took photos of both tattoos and posted them on Instagram, and that’s how he gained more clients. 

At first, the artist did tattoos out of passion, but because they brought in more money than his paintings, he turned it into a business. Prices are from Rwf 10,000 and above, depending on the nature of the tattoo and its size. 

In 2019, Ntwali officially started his tattoo business after research on specific inks to use on different skin tones, and the best equipment to use. 

The artist explains that he started with a tattoo case that included tattoo guns, and other equipment which he imported from China at Rwf 80,000. 

Today, his business has grown and he can afford high quality materials such as ink which costs Rwf 80,000 imported from China, and Rwf 120,000 from the US. 

One of the challenges he encounters is expensive materials that take too long to get here, he receives them two or three weeks after the order. 

The tattoo artist highlights that what makes him stand out in his work is the fact that he offers discounts to his clients. That is, when a client supports him twice, the third time he offers them a free tattoo. 

"I engage the public in challenges, for instance, I draw or paint something and request them to describe or interpret the meaning, and the winner gets a free tattoo,” he says.

He also says that he keeps connections with his clients and checks in to know how they are recovering, and asks them to recommend him to friends and family, which has enriched his business. 

Ntwali explains that when someone goes to his parlour, he takes them through the process and shows them the materials to be used, so that they don’t question the hygiene. 

"Needles and gloves are used once, and dumped. Ink poured in a container for one client isn’t mixed back into the bottle once the process is done, but poured away,” he says, adding that clients’ safety is very important.

He also points out that he has a conversation with clients to know why they chose a specific tattoo and what it means to them, then offers advice accordingly. 

It isn’t all rosy, Ntwali says, as some clients ignore caution. Some clients have a false perception that alcohol numbs the pain but drinking alcohol doesn’t reduce the pain, in fact, drunk people bleed more than sober ones, he says. 

Ntwali is of the view that some body areas are more sensitive than others, for example, the legs and the neck are sensitive, and one can easily damage a vein. 

Although some clients request him to cover their scars with tattoos, it’s dangerous as some scars shouldn’t be tampered with, they lack sensitivity and white blood cells to heal the wound. Also, scars don’t absorb the ink, he says. 

He is disheartened by clients who comfortably go through the whole tattoo process without informing him that they don’t have the money to pay for it. Once they are rendered the service, they promise to pay when they get the money. This requires following up, and at times giving up on the money, he says.

The student of film making and film production at the East African University Rwanda, has utilised his talents to bring him more income. He juggles tattooing, painting, drawing, graphic design, and animated music videos. His dream is to add value to the film industry, which is why he wants to be a film director.