Cool People, Cute Pets Feature
Meet Seneca a multi-talented pug and her human Donatella. Donatella owns Azygous Art Haüs in Los Angelous, California. Azygous Art Haüs is a creative safe space that showcases a collective of multidisciplinary artists. It is also home to an all-female private tattoo studio. (HELL YES!!). It is not just a tattoo with Donatella it is an unforgettable experience.
Q: Tell us a little about Seneca, how did he come into your life?
A: Seneca came into my life in the midst of the pandemic (2020) When I had a sudden cancer scare. I received a phone call from my doctor right as I was about to begin a tattoo, and she let me know that she had found cancerous cells. I had a bit of a breakdown and decided the next day that I needed to feel different, immediately. I needed unconditional love right there and then. That’s when the search for Seneca began.
Q: What is something Seneca cannot live without?
A: Seneca cannot live without every single person’s undivided attention. The boy is addicted to love. But also fresh Atlantic wild caught and cooked salmon, meal prepped with vegetables- he’s got extraordinary taste, not sure where he gets it from.
Q: What is Seneca’s favorite thing to do at work as the emotional support pug, HR, apprentice, and head of HR? What a talented little Pug!
A: Seneca has many titles. He is in fact the emotional support pug everyone doesn’t know they need until they see him, but he’s also head of HR, security, bodyguard, and an apprentice. His responsibilities include the following;
- Providing comical relief by simply existing
- Searching out anyone in need of being turned into a chair
- Making sure to walk the grounds of the studio, closely observing every artist and client interaction
- As an apprentice, Seneca observes the tattooers working, most times without even blinking for hours. He seems to most be intrigued by SaBella, and can spend up to hours on ends, sitting at his post, closely watching her every move
- As head of security, Seneca patrols the perimeter of the studio, daily, making sure everyone is in line
- Making sure to alert (bark) to everyone in ear-shot that someone is at the door
- If there’s any experimental music playing, he will alert all occupants in the studio that he either absolutely loves, or hates (we’re not quite sure yet) the songs being played”
Q: Tips for people who want to bring their pets to work?
A: If you want to bring your pet to work, do it as soon as you get your pet, especially if they’re young. Make sure to have treats and toys to occupy their time and of course a very comfy bed for them to lounge. Make sure to put them into cute outfits so clients can gawk over them, and even those that think they don’t like dogs are quickly converted.
Q: What have you learned from Seneca?
A: Seneca has taught me how great of a parent I’d be. He’s made me more disciplined because now I have to take care of this living thing with needs and specific routines and diets. He’s made me less selfish
Q: What is your must have item for Seneca?
A: Luxurious plush throws and tempur pedic beds. Seneca don’t fuck around.
Q: What would you tell the version of yourself that was just starting out?
A: Focus.
Q: How did you start your career as a tattoo artist and artist?
A: I started my career as an artist at the age of 10 when I obsessively began drawing fish from the F section in the encyclopedia. I quickly transitioned into drawing all of my friends as aliens, and instead of doing homework, I had a list of girls who wanted to be drawn as a 1990s Lisa Frank styled alien -whom I would charge one dollar for a simple drawing and two dollars for a complex drawing. That was the first time I ever sold my art and was so motivated and engaged in the entire process that it quickly took over my mind. I always dabbled in art, fashion, and painting. Anything that involves creation.
I was introduced to tattooing at the age of 19 which began my tattoo journey. I started apprenticing under the artist, Sneaks, and then under the artist Defer. I went from having two tattoos and knowing nothing about tattooing, to falling completely in love with the craft, its variety of clientele, and the rapid rate at which the artists would create. It was so invigorating for me because art can be such a solitary act but with tattooing it’s completely social and so much fun. There is never a dull moment. If you’re not tattooing, then you’re drawing a tattoo. If you’re not drawing a tattoo, then you’re working on a painting. If you’re not painting, you’re brainstorming your next creation. The artistic liberty that this art form offered me was everything. I was an apprentice for about a year-and-a-half while attending college where I study business, marketing, and art. I developed my knowledge in all three lanes simultaneously. Though some people advised me to choose one path, I knew I wanted to pursue all three. Every art class I took influenced my tattooing, the tattooing influenced my art projects, the art projects translated into my business marketing classes, and the business knowledge helped me create a unique and sustainable approach for myself as a brand and a business. For the first few years, I would tattoo at people’s houses, at my house, at school… anywhere I could set up I was willing to tattoo. Shortly after that, I started working at my first tattoo shop and quickly worked my way up the ranks and built a steady clientele. From there, I went on to have my own art gallery, then a private studio, worked at Shamrock Social Club, and now I am here at my latest creation, the Azygous Art House. I am happier than ever and I thank God every day for the opportunity and the ability to create my own world.”
Q: What drives and inspires you?
A: What drives me? Shit, I’m a MF Taurus baby. Hahaha but seriously, my number one motivator in life is the desire to give my parents an amazing life- a life they never thought they could have.
As far as inspiration goes, there are a few things I actively seek out to experience. Art galleries, museums, surrounding myself with amazing artists, engaging with nature and experiencing new cultures around the world.”
Q: How do you deal with dream stompers?
A: I confront them. And in the most diplomatic manner possible, I try to express to them my lack of appreciation for their words and actions, but also what the power of their words could have on themselves, let alone someone else.
Q: Which of your current projects are you most excited about?
A: Currently super excited of our newest acquisition, a new studio space that’s going to be turned into a work / think space and a zen zone. The Azygous Art Haüs is expanding!”
Q: Motto you live by?
A: “Veni vidi vici, it’s Latin for ‘I came, I saw, I won’”
To learn more about Donatella and her work check out her website. Donatella will be tattooing at the Otto Car Club in Scottsdale, AZ April 1st-3rd. She is currently working on a new painting series, we can’t wait to see it! Make sure to follow her on Instagram @Donatella.Azgous to keep up with everything she is doing and see photos of Seneca. We can’t wait to continue to watch all the amazing things you do Donatella and Seneca.