Ningjia Zhai, a distinguished illustrator and tattoo artist based in New York City, currently works at Beanbeantattoo tattoo studio. During her early life, she discovered a deep appreciation for tattoos and began her apprenticeship under a famous tattoo artist in 2017. Today, we will be interviewing her to learn more about her journey and thoughts.
Fascinated by tattoos because of their attractive images, Ningjia found that her true passion lay in illustration. Initially, she pursued drawing as her primary artistic outlet. She didn't decide to get into tattooing until eight years ago. During that time, she apprenticed under a talented tattoo artist and became deeply inspired by Dr. Wu's signature style. “His intricate single-needle designs, reminiscent of monochromatic art, greatly influenced my artistic direction in the early stages.” Ningjia said.
The combination of illustration and tattoo art is a wonderful and wondrous fusion. It creates a unique form of physical expression by projecting complex artwork onto the human canvas. Illustration encompasses countless schools of art, from editorial illustrations often seen in magazines to the subtle intricacies of monochrome drawings. Likewise, in the world of tattoos, there is a distinct style known as flash tattoos. These pre-made designs provide customers with a variety of themes and styles to choose from, eliminating the need for custom designs. Drawing on Ningjia's background in illustration, she combines her artistic skills into creating flash tattoo designs. According to her, “I see my watercolor practice as the foundation for my tattoo career.” These two artistic specialties allow her to develop a unique style that resonates with both illustration and tattooing.
Artists draw inspiration and knowledge from their various ancestors. Asian art and culture are some of her biggest influences and passions. One of the artists she highlights is Japanese ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai from the Edo period. She was amazed by the linear manga he drew when she randomly visited a bookstore. She found that she could incorporate this into her artistic style – monochrome, which clearly expresses nature without colour. She also wants to mention the Chinese artist Cheng Panqiao. She admires his use of linearity, particularly in his depictions of rocks, where, although the overall shape has edges and angles, each individual line is unmistakably straight. Greatly influenced by their works, she draws inspiration from the unrestrained representations of nature and animals found in ancient Asian art and strives to incorporate them into her art.
Through honest and frank conversation, Ningjia also shared that one of the biggest challenges she faced was incorporating calligraphy into her tattoo art, inspired by Katsushika Hokusai and Zeng Banqiao. To learn this technique, I obtained rice paper, brushes, and silk-bound sketchbooks. “At first, it was a bit of a bumpy road because there was no one to teach me – this style is so unique that few people tried it.” I tried different shapes and eventually settled on using a 6B pencil. Unlike a brush, a pencil allows for some rawness and spaces in which the art can “breathe.” Since most of her drawings involve plants, pets, and lines, pencil gives her art a free and airy feel.
Through her journey as a tattoo artist, she discovered that her work goes beyond just craftsmanship. Every tattoo you create carries with it a story, a memory, and a piece of someone's heart. The relationship that forms between her and her clients during these intimate sessions is deep and touching. She cherishes the moments when clients share their personal stories, triumphs, and sorrows, allowing her to create deeply personal and meaningful tattoos that resonate with their experiences. These connections and the ability to touch people's lives in a profound way make tattooing a truly fulfilling and rewarding endeavor for her.
Ningxia told us this inspiring story: “One day, a guest reached out to me just one day after her dog died. She was astonished, and the raw emotion in her voice made it clear that she was in pain. She revealed that she had been silently following my work, and had always dreamed of getting ink for her dog. That, while the puppy was alive and kicking, she chose to have a good time over a tattoo. Tragically, her beloved furry friend had left this world just one day before, leaving her heart broken. The irreparable loss pushed her to fulfill a deferred dream of immortalizing her canine companion on her skin As a fellow dog owner, I couldn't hold back my tears, and hoped my art could be a source of solace for her. After the tattoo, I looked at the inked tribute for what seemed like an eternity. The initial feeling of nervousness on my part was quickly replaced by the force of her choked-up words: “Thank you for bringing back “Dear to me.” It was a moment that transcended art. It was an emotional embrace that words cannot fully capture.
From that moment on, a flood of customers approached Ningjia, sharing tales of their departed pets – dogs, cats, squirrels, lizards, even their feathered friends. The human-animal connection became the beating heart of her profession. Each client's story became a melody, and each stroke of her tattoo needle turned into a dance of emotion, transforming these creatures into living works of art for their owners. “After the tattoo was completed, clients would look at me with misty eyes, expressing how they felt as if their beloved companions had returned. This deep connection not only gave me the ability to create, but also gave me the courage to continue on this meaningful journey, where art becomes a bridge between cherished memories and bond.” Eternity with our furry friends,” Ningxia added.
