We met Devie Downer, half Italian/half Hungarian, a simple “tattooed gamer” as she likes to call herself. But we found that she has much more to reveal to us…
Hi Devie, is your nickname an homage to Debbie Downer made famous by the U.S. TV show ‘Saturday Night Live’ and played by Rachel Dratch? I ask you because I find a certain resemblance…
Actually no, nothing to do with ‘Saturday Night Live’ at all. But just more towards the phrase of, “don’t be a Debbie Downer.” My name is Devan and my best friends call me Devie. I used to be pretty “emo” back in high school/college (aka sad music, a lot of eyeliner etc) thus DevieDowner (IG: @deviedowner_gamer) has been around ever since.
In your life did you first fall in love with tattoo art or the world of video games?
I first fell in love with video games at the age of 5! Love for art/tattoos came when I was around 15/16 but could not get my first one until I was 18.
Which videogames were you passionate about the year you got your first tattoo?
During that time I know I was playing a lot of ‘Call of Duty 3’ on my Xbox.
Can you tell me something else about yourself? I know you are half Italian/half Hungarian and “just a tattooed gamer chick” as you write on your Instagram page. Would you like to add more information?
Another thing would be that I played collegiate soccer or football. (smiles) I started playing soccer at the same time as video games and I am very much into sports. I love the men’s Italian National team, I still play once in a while for fun but I have a bad knee so it prevents me from playing as much as I want.
Go ahead, please.
I also love watching baseball and hockey and love all Boston sports teams (Bruins in NHL, Celtics in NBA, Patriots in NFL and Red Sox in MLB. Ed). I also have 2 cats that are my world! I also stream video games part time on Twitch and Kick and would love to be able to do it full time. One last thing would be I have built two gaming PCs!
What is the dominant style of both your sleeves and your back? I saw NewTrad subjects and lots of colour, lots of flowers, lots of brightness…
Yes! All Neo-Traditional mainly.
My artist seems to have his own distinct NeoTrad style with a lot of flowers as fillers.
So who are your trusted tattooists?
My main tattoo artist has been Justin McCroy (IG: @realtoughguyshit). He has done mostly everything been going to him since I was 18. My script on my belly was done by Antony Ortega (IG: @tony_tattoo26) and my Koi fish and shin were done by artists at a convention whom I don’t remember their names since it was so long ago…
Am I wrong or does that elegant woman portrayed on your left thigh have something of the Art Nouveau style?
No, it actually does not but that would be a better story maybe! (laughs) It just represents strength and beauty in my artist’s style. I often tell Justin McCroy generally what I want and he comes up with the whole thing.
I noticed that your right leg is still completely clean. Will it still be at the end of 2024?
I am hoping it won’t stay that way! I would love to add some things and I have some ideas and actually want to go to another artist.
I am searching for another artist at the moment to switch things up with.
I am saving up some money, since inflation I have not been able to get tattooed. I actually would love something to represent my gaming as well as something to represent my zodiac sign, aka the Scorpio.
Would a game set in the tattoo world with tattoo artists challenging each other to complete their work as quickly as possible (or something like that) make sense to you? Would you play it?
That would be interesting! I think I would most definitely check it out, I would have to! I would have to play that on stream and you should make this video game! (laughs)
Can you make me a playlist of your 5 favourite music tracks that would be good for staying focused during a game or during a tattoo session?
I love a lot of different music and it’s hard to pick only 5! I try: #1 Post Malone, ‘Reputation’. #2 Kx5, ‘Alive’. #3 AFI, ‘Silver and Cold’. #4 Coheed and Cambria, ‘Blood Red Summer’. #5 The Midnight, ‘Nocturnal’.
One strong wish of yours, just one, for the coming 2024?
To be able to stream more and make it more of a full time gig!
And your last famous words are… ?
Never settle and always stand your ground for what you believe is right.
