In this episode, we end the tattoo series... for now! Paulina and Jess interview Meesha Ratzlaff, a multidisciplinary Romani tattoo artist based out of Vancouver, BC., Canada. Meesha’s personal works are largely based and reminiscent of renaissance imagery and architecture, paying homage to her motherland and heritage of the Czech Republic. As a tattooer, she is exploring ways to connect themes of nostalgia, Gypsy pride, recognition as well as negligence in tattoo design and flash pieces.
You can follow Meesha at @gypsy.tattoo on Instagram and book with her here or through the link in her bio. She gives a shout out to her former tattoo parlor, Sleight of Hand @soh_vancouver, and is, at the time of recording, about to open her own shop, Svatura! Follow her on social media to stay tuned.
Romani crushes this episode include L.L. Junior @l.l.junior, and Meesha thinks Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello counts as well! Jez added Romaní @r.o.m.a.n.i too.
Get 15% off Rowena Marin's memoir Who Am I in This World? with code WHOAMI15 at checkout until the presale ends on August 31st. Every sale makes it possible for this book to be published! Buy the book here. Follow her on Instagram at @rowenam.author.
Thank you for listening to Romanistan podcast.
You can find us on Instagram @romanistanpodcast, and on Facebook under the same name, and on Twitter @romanistanpod
We started a Ko-fi fundraiser to help us expand. Our goal is to release 2 episodes a month, create video content, like an advice column and other treats, and we would also like to register as a nonprofit so we can produce content by other Romani & Sinti creators. We are hoping to cover production costs, like paying for our hosting site, website, editing and producing, and all the rest. We would love it if you could contribute and spread the word. The link, Ko-fi.com/romanistan, is in our bio on Instagram, and will be in the show notes
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If you would like to advertise with us, email us at romanistanpodcast@gmail.com. We offer sliding-scale for Romani, Sinti & related businesses, so reach out!
You can find Jess on Instagram @jezmina.vonthiele, and you can find Jess’ vintage and curiosities shop Evil Eye Edit on Instagram @evileyeedit & Etsy.
You can find Paulina Verminski on Instagram @_paulina_v_ and at https://romaniholistic.com/. Follow Paulina’s store, Romani Holistic, in Corona Del Mar, CA, on Instagram @romaniholistic
Romanistan is hosted by Jessica Reidy and Paulina Verminski
Conceived of by Paulina Verminski
Edited by Cherub
With Music by Viktor Pachas
And Artwork by Elijah Vardo