We recently connected with Philip Van Ratingen and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Philip, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

As a kid I have always been drawing and trying to create things. I could totally get lost in te process of crafting. My mother used to paint when she was younger and my father was a handyman who did a lot on his own projects around the house. Probably a combination of this made me wanting to do my own art and giving me some sort of a delusion that I could do that myself. Sure, the things you create as a kid kinda look horrible but persistence, practice and internal motivation will keep you going and growing. Later on, there will be more and more projects that turn out how you visioned it, learning how to tackle issues from failures and successes. I was making drawings, paintings, woodwork you name it. But the older I got the more I started to compare my work with others. I’ve always had a fascination for tattoos, but the internal imposter syndrome was big. My self doubt was thriving and I rarely thought of mine work to be good enough. Going to tattoo studios without having tattoos myself (at that time) always led to me getting pointed at the door before I could show my drawings. After multiple failures of trying to get an apprenticeship that feeling of doubt was growing. Finally, through a miscommunication I got invited for a conversation with a tattoo artist. Someone willing to help me with some tips to work hygienic but not wanting an apprentice. After multiple visits and lessons I got offered a spot to stay and start developing in a licensed shop. The start of it all.
What kept holding me back and still at times pulls me back?… self doubt. I think that can be a grand killer of action and creativity. Feeling like you don’t belong or you are not good enough. And that is still something that I have to fight at times. There is still a lot to learn but for that to happen you will have to take action and do it.

Philip, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up in the south of the Netherlands in a small village. The house I grew up in was located in between some cropfields, close to a forest with a big garden, lots of space and animals. Most of my time I would be outside in nature. And when I was drawing it was probably a tree of some kind. Buying myself drawing books and trying to improve my skills. Nature was and still is a great inspirational source.

I chose to study Health Sciences where my drawing skills helped me through the years. During exams I would for example draw the enzym secretion on cellular level instead of explaining it with words. Writing was never something I was good at, but the drawings helped explain exactly what I’ve learned. After graduating I started to work 9-5 jobs but sketching and doodling always stayed.
Four years ago I decided I needed more diversity around me and moved to Utrecht. Now I’ve have multiple jobs trying to balance my interests yet keeping it diverse to keep it exciting. During the week I work as an official and fulfill the roll as an inspector for licensing all tattoo-, piercing-, and permanent make-up-studios in the provence of Utrecht. In the weekend I work for a mental health organisation in Amsterdam. Where we offer a space for people that struggle with a mental challenge. Besides these jobs, every moment or free day is a potential period to work on tattoos or other art projects.

Trying to combine my love for creating and providing others with a tattoo or other mediums of art is very satisfying. It is amazing if someone has a story or even only a description of a feeling or idea and you are able to create something for them that they love. To be able to give them a piece of your art to cherish. Lots of my work is related to nature as it always has been of great importance. A place for me to find peace, ease of mind and strengthen the connection with myself. I want my work to do the same for others.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I think a heavy lesson was learning the difference between what is expected of you, what you think is expected of you and setting yourself free and actually start doing what you want to do. I always had strong believes of what was expected of me. Everybody seemed to do something specific so it must be what I also need to do. But there was always a huge resistance. The urge to please others by complying to their expectations but at the same time it didn’t felt right to me. The idea that I needed a degree in something real instead of something art related. Art always felt like a fun hobby but not a real possibility. And I am really glad that I have been able to set that aside and actually start doing what feels good for me. It was a difficult process for sure, but eventually I’m grateful for it. Because now I am doing what I want, maybe not yet to the full extent I would like, but the way is getting paved. I’m getting there.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think that sometimes, with some project, people don’t understand the time and effort that has been put into it. Of course on instagram you can see videos where it seems that someone creates an art work in seconds. Sure, some things can be made in such short time. But some projects take sketch after sketch and one adjustment after the other, for hours or days on.
There are always people that want something fast and cheap. Underestimating the time that has been put in making the project. Even when an artist is able to create something in a specific amount of time, it probably took a lot of effort to develop the required skills to pull it off. Because practise makes improvement, not perfection.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philip.finelines?igsh=d25xdGUxMzcxZGZs&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-van-ratingen-1354a612b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app