NEWS:
March 13, 2008
Below is my interview with Rouge magazine in the March 2008 issue: Questions Tattoos

1. Present yourself with a few words for our readers. When did you start doing tattoos and why?

At the age of 14, when I started drawing all over my hands and arms with pens and markers. Often I got scolded for drawing on my body because it made me look like a "criminal". I love the thrill and freedom when working on my own body.

2. What was your inspiration for the photo session that you have made with Mike Ruiz? Tell as more for the idea of this photo session and its realization.

Mike wanted to have the movie “Blade Runner” as a influence. The photo shoot was to play with the neo-noir genre. The tattoos were going to be large and have a dramatic design. Mike was very open to the ideas. He gave me a lot of artistic freedom to play with the ideas presented. I worked with the placement of the tattoos which pushed a graphic edgy design.

3. What is more difficult for a tattoo artist – to imagine the model of the tattoo or to do it over the skin?

It's more difficult to do a tattoo over the skin. You can always draw your sketches of the tattoo images, do lots of planning, but I have to think about putting a 2 dimensional drawing on a 3 dimensional object. I enjoy the challenge.

4. What kind of people come to your studio to make a tattoo?

All kinds of people are come to get temporary tattoos. Men, women, children and often people past the age of 40. Years ago you wouldn’t get a lot of housewives or business men who were looking to get a tattoo. Things have changed and filtered into the acceptance of society. I have clients that want to try a temporary tattoo before they get the permanent, which is a great option to have. Getting a permanent tattoo is like getting married. My job is to give clients the chance to live with the tattoo before they get inked with a needle.

5. More women or more man make themselves tattoos? Do they choose different tattoos? What is the choice of the women and of the men?

I have a 50/50 split of men and women who want to get tattoos. Women usually go for feminine tattoos and men go for the graphic tribal designs. I live for moments when someone completely surprises me. Sometimes it has nothing to do with the gender. An individual will want to make their statement or tell their own story regardless.
6. Is there a fashion in the tattoos? What is fashionable now? What makes a tattoo fashionable?

Fashion is about having the freedom to make a statement and it is the same for tattoos. Tattoos have completely seeped into the world of fashion. You see them in more magazines, on celebrities and fashion shows. I just had the privilege of doing body art for Benjamin Cho and Susan Cianciolo during New York's Fashion Week. The tattoos were amazing and talked about in the fashion industry.

7. The China symbols are very popular lately. Do they have a particular meaning?

Asian scripts are very popular since western and eastern styles were intertwined in the 1980's. Japanese and Chinese writings have a sense of strength. Each culture have their own interpetation in general have deep meanings of spiritual guidance and strengthening proverbs. The Asian scripts I used are translated into “Brave” and “Way of the Spirit”. The dragons represent "Power" and "Freedom". Koi fish are associated with "Love" and "Good Luck".

8. Do the different tattoos have different meaning? What is the meaning of the ones that you have done for the photo session with Mike?

Every tattoo tells a different story and has a different definition for each individual. Tattoos were meant to show markings of ones history, ancestors and status. They can be just about beautiful art and images. The best thing about tattoos is that you are free to embellish it the way you want. In the photos I did with Mike were about strength and confidence in the beauty of a tattoo. The characters in the photos tell a story, and I wanted the tattoos to be in harmony with the narration.

9. Where is the meeting point between tattoos, art and fashion?

When they meet together, it can be quite amazing. I don't think there is just one definate meeting point for all of these arts forms.

10. When a tattoo can not be done? Are there any restrictions?

Hair has often been an issue. The paint sticks to the hair and the design will suffer. I ask that my clients shave or wax before we begin our session. A patch test is recommended to predict if there will be any allergic reactions to the paint being used. It is always safe to check with a doctor first and inform your clients of all if any possible interactions or reactions.

11. Is it more painful at some parts of the body? At which ones?

I do not do permanent tattoos. Fortunately, doing temporary tattoos I do not have to hurt anybody. My tattoo applications feel like the soft licks of a kitten compared to a needle. For the most part it is pretty pleasant and even relaxing. I have people fall asleep on me all the time!

12. What kind of tattoos are typical?

The most typical always change according to the time. The most typical of today would have to be roses, butterflies and hearts for women; skulls, tribal and dragon designs for men. But get what you like and worry less about what everyone else is going to think.

13. What are the strangest that you have done?

Well I have had some strange requests, usually it's about putting the tattoos in provocative areas.

14. They say that when you make one tattoo you can not stop yourself and want more and more. Is it true?

I think people become addicted once they get the first tattoo, their inhibitions have been lowered and have accepted the modification to their body. Most of my clients become addicted to the idea that the tattoo is not permanent. They can change it as many times, so they keep coming back for more.

15. Are there any celebrities that have made tattoos at your studio?

I've done a tattoo on Lindsay Lohan and designed tattoos for 'Taking Chance' with Kevin Bacon.

16. Can you tell us an interesting case of your practice?

After a days work of applying tattoos. I go home to relax and feel a tingle in my nose. A quick relief into a tissue only to find a rainbow of colors.

Jenai Chin www.jenaichin.com

January 21, 2008
I recently had done a photo shoot ESPN The Magazine with a story based on all different kinds of sports fans and it hit magazine stands this week. The front cover is featuring my body painting on some very excited fans and a little extra surprise. *Here's a hint.....I'm some where on the front cover too.... See if you can find me!

January 9-13, 2008
The New Year is here and I kicked it off with a trip to the Face and Body Art Convention in Orlando, Florida. John Maurad and I were sent by Temptu to teach an beginners airbrush class and to promote some of our new products. We had a lot of fun and I even got my back body painted and airbrushed a beautiful tiger on my back by my mentor. Even though I had to change my room 3 times in 3 days, John and I managed to have a good time.

December 17, 2007
The January 2008 issue of Italian Vogue shot by photographer Steven Meisel is out and it is FIERCE! Key Body Makeup Artist Ralph Siciliano asked me to be his first assistant for this project. We arrived in Los Angeles and instantly went to work for 3 days creating his vision on 5 beautiful top models. Take "The First Look at Spring" on magazine shelves now!

December 13, 2007
La Perla will be having a featurette fashion show where I will be assisting amazing Key Makeup Artists Tyron Machhausen The new line is chic and sexy, check out the website for more.

December 12, 2007
I will be body painting for The Body of Art at the annual Marc Jacobs Holiday party. This years theme is 1001 Arabian Nights and is going to be held at the Rainbow Room. Pictures from this amazing event will be posted shortly.

tyron machhausen December 1, 2007
The new January issue of Prevention Magazine is featuring one of my tattoos in the health editorial about the new libido patch being used by women. This was a last minute photo shoot where the design had to be created from scratch and painted free-hand but I had a lot of fun.

October 26, 27, 31 2007
I will be hosting at the 2nd annual Temptu/Ricky's Halloween Makeup Clinic where you can get full makeup to enhance your Halloween costumes. We will have several professional makeup artists that will be able to recreate your favorite fantasy/movie characters, tattoos, and gore makeup at 5 seperate locations. Call ahead for all the specialty makeup looks we can customize and to set up an appointment. Come visit me at the Ricky's Halloween store located on 16th Street and 6 Avenue. Have a safe and spooky Halloween!

October 1, 2007
My designs for the new Temptu Pro Tattoo Transfer Series have just been released in Issue #68 of Makeup Artist Magazine. I have spent several months developing and specifically designing these tattoos to meet the needs of film, television and theatre. This will be a constant project that I will be working on and there will be many more new and fun tattoos!

June 17, 2007
I will be providing some of the body painting for the 17th annual Broadway Bares event featuring the hottest male and female dancers on Broadway. This dazzling performance is a Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS' signature events that helps bring more awareness to the public. There will be a 10:00 p.m and a Midnight show at the Roseland Ballroom, 239 W. 52nd Street, NYC.

May 18, 2007
The Body of Art presents Red Hot Ice, a Hurricane Katrina Benefit. This event will be presenting the hottest entertainers, aerial artist, burlesque dancers and body art to raise money for the vicitms of Hurricane Katrina. I will be one of the makeup artists and body painters helping to create the many magical creatures for this amazing event. Please come and give your support and have a good time at Club Sol, 609 W. 29th Street, NYC, 8:00 p.m.

February 4, 2007
I will be one of the makeup artist for Temptu at the Terexov Fashion Show during New York's Fashion Week 2007. Terexov by Russian designer Alexander Terekhov will be showing his new fall line in the Mercedes-Benz tent in Bryant Park, NYC at 9:00 p.m.