Sandra Hodak - SUNLIGHT Adventure Crew (UK)

She’s the artist in our Adventure Crew: Sandra Hodak is tattoo artist with a huge international following (@sandraxstorm) – and she likes to travel to them with her Camper Van.

The graphic designer from Cologne let’s us in on what (or who) gets under her skin, when less is more and when more is more; and what inspires her on her travels.

Sandra, how did it all start? What was the first tattoo you did?

Sandra: It was a stag beetle on a shin. On my couch in London, where I lived at the time.

Well, what else…

Sandra: (laughs) Yeah, that was wild. He was a drummer in a band for which I did the artwork. Actually, he was the one who had bought the tattoo machine in the first place. He was the one who wanted to learn how to tattoo. But he really didn’t get the hang of it. I was just so much better at it – and that’s how I became the shared apartment’s tattoo artist.

Do people come to you with stories attached to the tattoos, or are they just looking for cool designs?

Sandra: For many, it’s primarily for aesthetic reasons. But even then: you choose a design that appeals to you and perhaps there is a subconscious meaning. I find it very moving when I tattoo over scars. Usually something floral, something vibrant, it’s a beautiful, visual healing process. Or, of course, memories of deceased loved ones.

Life – we know it – is a journey. Many choose the straight path, but yours has certainly had its twists and turns…

Sandra: Oh yes, a lot of crisscrossing and zizagging, I would say. But I need that. I could not imagine having that one goal, that final destination. I would feel limited, almost confined. We have not that much time in this life, and there is so much to see. I was in Australia for a year when I was 15, during my studies I went to Cape Town for 3 months, then to London for a year.

How consciously do you carry the thought that people wear your art on their skin forever and carry it out into the world?

Sandra: Knowing that a tattoo of mine lives on forever on the other side of the world and we exist in parallel, so incredibly far apart, that’s just beautiful. I’ve tattooed in New Zealand, on my trip through France, Spain, Portugal. It’s such a huge honor.

When you are roadtripping in your camper van, people worldwide know where you are from following your Instagram account. They make appointments when you come close to their place. That's probably the coolest way to do a business trip!

Sandra: Yes, and I know what a privilege it is. I’m incredibly lucky.

What’s your number one go-to on travels?

Sandra: Taking my time. I don’t plan much. Some people love seeing as much as possible, packing it all in. But I’m a minimalist when it comes to planning. What if it is so beautiful and the people so cool that I want to stay longer?! Less places more diving in.

Are you also a minimalist when it comes to decorating your camper?

Sandra: No! The exact opposite: anti-team minimalism – more is more! I get plants, hang pictures, make a flash wall with my designs as a kind of small inspiration board. Tattoo vibe everywhere…

And you also find inspiration right outside your camper van door?

Sandra: Absolutely. Don’t go hiking with me, unless you can take it to stop at the tiniest flower. I’m taking millions of photos. I’m a pretty dreamy person, anything can capture me: animals, plants, architecture. The ocean, the churches, tiles, ornaments – I soak it all in.