Jade Mambre
Nigrita, Henna Tattoo Artist
Nicolle Lourens, whose artist name is Nigrita, is a 32-year-old who is focusing on the joy of life which is when life becomes more beautiful, peaceful, and colorful. It is all about “experiencing the glass half full instead of half empty”. Nicolle was born and raised on our beautiful island, Curaçao. When she was a 22-years-old student living in the Hague, she was fascinated with the culture of Moroccan women. She admired the colorful fabric they wear and the beautiful henna tattoos on their skin. “Henna tattoo always caught my eyes, and I wasn’t able to get henna done in all those 5 years I lived in the Netherlands”. After having bought her henna-kit and started practicing, Nicolle realized she has the ability to become a henna artist.
After her first client, Nicolle kept practicing. Not long after, she managed to start working at one of the souvenirs stalls in Otrobanda. It was her first “open-air henna studio/atelier” where she still does henna for cruise ship tourists. This was the point in her life when she stopped working as a teacher and has been spending her time as a henna artist ever since. With time, she wanted to see henna designs on a larger scale. So, her interest in murals started to grow. She started practicing and also has started painting on driftwood which she is selling to tourists who do not want a henna tattoo. The more Nicolle is growing, the more she realized she needs a space to make and sell her art. That is when she took the step and got a place, a henna studio, in Skálo.
Doing henna gives Nicolle a chance and a space to create. She enjoys exploring her creative mind through henna and making people smile at the same time. Doing henna is her time for healing and being in a calm space within. Going on a journey to become a henna tattoo artist included finding her very own henna pattern, her own designs, which was not an easy process. “And I am still trying new things, but that is the beauty of growing”.
The best experience she had with henna was giving a woman who was undergoing chemo-therapy a henna tattoo. This woman’s energy was low because of being sad about what she was losing because of the disease. After the session, she was happy as the experience gave her so much self-love and self-assurance. “It made me realize how much power my art has. How it can make a person feel better and joyful”.
“Focus on joy and love and leave fear behind”
The trend Nicolle is most interested in is using henna on body parts especially that of women. She believes women have a beautiful temple which makes a perfect canvas. She wants to continue using the space she has to grow and to become a multifunctional artist. “There is so much a human being can do and achieve. So, I am open to new challenges”. For those who are reading, “find out what your greatest talents are”. Dream big and make your dreams come true and “and during this journey, focus on joy and love and leave fear behind”.
Instagram: @Nique_lourens / @Nigrita_nigrita
