Recently we interacted with Jay Han, who is an experienced tattoo artist from South Korea. He has 9+ years of experience and he mainly work with black and gray, oriental style, brush strokes, and fine lines. We asked him few questions, let’s look at his responses.
1. What inspired you to become a tattoo artist and when did you started it as a career?
I graduated from Arts High School and Art University. My major was Oriental painting. And after graduating from college, I worked other jobs besides painting for three years. Meanwhile, I wanted to go back to painting-related work. I have been interested in tattoos for a long time, and I thought my drawing experience and drawing style would go well with tattoos, so I started tattooing when I was 30, and now I have 9 years of tattoo experience.
2. How many tattoos do you have on your body and what’s your favorite one?
I have about 10 tattoos, including the inner and outer forearms of my right arm and left arm, the triceps of my right shoulder, the linework on my right stomach on my right chest, the Chicano lettering on my ankles, etc. My favorite tattoo was originally the one on my forearm of my left arm. Most of my tattoos are portrait tattoos. However, I recently got small train character tattoos for my two sons. That’s my favorite tattoo right now.
3. Which is your favourite client tattoo, what was the story behind it and how much time it took?
I actually like all of clients who love , like , got from my drawing style and all the tattoos I . However, the client that I remember the most was the one who got a black and gray tattoo instead of my style drawing. The client had a keloid scar on his chest. The scar was the client’s trauma, and the doctors were unable to treat the scar. He said he was going to cover the scar with a tattoo, so we had a lot of design meetings and worked on it 4-5 times for at least 8 hours each. He was very satisfied after the work was completed and said he had overcome the trauma and found a new life.
It meant so much to me. Korea is a country where tattoos are illegal. The reason is that doctors are preventing tattoos from becoming legal due to medical law reasons. I am not a doctor. I’m a tattoo artist. Sometimes our job involves not only engraving drawings or writing on a client’s skin, but also treating the client’s psychology or covering up wounds. Thanks to this client, I realized how valuable the work I do is.
4. What do you do in your free time when not tattooing people?
I spend my time painting, doing marketing, and working in the shop. Other than that, all I do is spend time with my family.
5. Why do you think people get a tattoo, even though it’s a painful process?
For some clients it’s swag, for some it’s to relieve stress, for some it gives it great meaning, and for some it’s for healing the mind, overcoming trauma, covering scars, etc. The reasons are very diverse. But the biggest reason is that those clients love tattoos and trust the tattoo artist who does them.
6. Who is your favourite tattoo artist?
Robert Herdandes
q tattpp
kwon tattoo
Backggang
cheji
tony hu
7. What are different styles of tattoos do you make?
I prefer oriental painting style tattoos. And I’m doing a collaboration between brush strokes and black and gray.
I’m trying out different styles. Because I don’t think my style is complete yet.
I’m trying out different styles. Because I don’t think my style is complete yet.
8. Where do you see the future of Tattoos?
I think the future of the tattoo industry is very good. I think that now is actually a period of transition, stagnation, and stagnation. The tattoo industry has changed dramatically recently. But I think the tattoo industry will improve again over time. Because we are artists, and what we do is a job that AI cannot handle. I think that if tattoo artists are honest and do their best at what they do, the future is very bright.
9. Where do you see yourself in next 5 years?
As you get older, your eyesight will get worse, right? Haha, if I’m thinking about a bright future, I think I’ll be doing my own style of tattooing and working. Â happily in a good place with my family.
10. If you get a choice, which celebrity would you like to Tattoo and any specific design?
I’m not very interested in celebrities, so it’s hard to choose someone. However, I would like to do my own style of tattoo for some of my favorite tattoo artists mentioned above. I hope to become a tattoo artist recognized by tattoo artists.
11. Please share your social handles and how to reach out to get a tattoo?
Please contact via instagram@jayhan_tattoo or email: [email protected]