Tattoo Apprentice Justin Chua On Meaning, Gangs, Sex Appeal
Dare to get his “Chicken Fish” tattoo?
Tattoos.
I’ve always wanted tattoos. My father said, “I’ll let you do anything as long as it’s legal, please don’t tattoo your face.” Got my first tattoo after 21.
Most of my tattoos have significance. It’s a good way to localise pain, rather than dwelling, feeling icky. The process of is like listening to a sad song. I have random ones too.
Tattoos also helped because I didn’t want to be identified by some people.
Cool job.
I’ve been working odd jobs since 16, during holidays. After NS, I started living alone. I was living by my paycheck, in quarter-life limbo.
My girlfriend suggested I be a tattoo artist.
I’ve bad ADHD. Tattooing helps me hyper-focus. It’s also an industry based on trust. That’s important. I can create for, with people. Depending on the project, I have some creative freedom. It’s also a realistic enough choice. And not easy, I need something to “poke” me every day.
How?
I didn’t have an impressive portfolio. Some apprenticeships take up to 2 years, unpaid. I always went to Oracle, other studios to ask about it. Sometimes I would email. I’d disturb them, “Are you the boss? Can I be your apprentice?”
Julian from Wild Paw let me sit in on sessions. Went to Iron Fist. Walked around Golden Mile; the boss was in. I asked. “Come tomorrow.” The following week, I was apprenticing.
Artist stereotypes…
Most wear black to avoid stains. Skinny, many tattoos. Might look fierce, until they talk. Most hardly sleep. On their Instagrams: 2am, drinking; 4am, picture of car; 5am, drawing; 7am, breakfast.
Many have interesting life stories. Some build relationships with clients.
Gang culture.
In the past, people who had tattoos belonged to secret societies. Now, people appreciate them as art. Probably 50% or more people have tattoos, even tiny ones.
No studio would want to be known for gangster, offensive tattoos.
“Scratchers” pick up machines from eBay, learn from YouTube. An artist should know some history, what some tattoos represent.
Fuck-ups?
Everyone fucks up. We’re not printers.
If it doesn’t stop people from appreciating it, it’s fine.
Tattoos improve sex appeal.
I guess it does. I know people who’s body count increased after getting tattoos. It’s not a “card” I deploy. Most girls say they’re cute. It’s an ice-breaker. I find them sexy.
Why you?
I do weird work. I want someone to get my “Chicken Fish.”
As an apprentice, I charge cheaper. I want to explore. Just write, “Come to me please.”
