Today we’d like to introduce you to Tianqi Chen.
Hi Tianqi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in an artistic family, I’m lucky to be surrounded by artists and creatives my whole life. My mom is an oil painter, she dedicated her whole life to fine arts, but not many people appreciate her works. Looking at her struggle with life, I made up my mind when I was a kid that I was going to do something different. Still, it is art-related but more commercial with a wider audience. Which led my way to the illustration world. After I graduated from the School of Visual Arts, I also found my passion in tattooing. Doing tattoos not only supported my art career but also gave others joy. I met so many wonderful people and learned so many interesting stories during tattoo sessions; I’m working as a part-time illustrator and part-time tattoo artist right now; I love what I do and always looking forward to creating new art!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
After graduating from college, I found it challenging to make a living by only doing illustrations. So, I discovered a new way to support my art by doing tattoos. It was not easy at first. I started my apprenticeship in a tattoo shop in Brooklyn; I spent three months just tracing on paper, using a mechanical pencil tied with an iron block to imitate the weight of a tattoo machine and make the lead as long as a tattoo needle. If the lead breaks, it means my hand is doing too much pressure. After that, I finally got a chance to tattoo on real skin. But it was still very challenging due to the difference between real skin and second skin. Real skin is very much different from fake ones. They are much softer, and every client has a different kind of skin. The stress of making mistakes is making my hands shake, which I need to avoid.
Luckily, I managed to graduate from my apprenticeship and started to work as a tattoo artist after several months. But a new challenge appeared. It was also difficult to get clients when you just started tattooing. I spent almost a year building my portfolio and finally found my audience.
Lately, I have been cooperating with many Asian-owned brands and shops for flash events. Such as Bobblehaus, a cloth shop in Soho. Omsom a famous sauce brand. And Landtosea, an artistic coffee shop in Williamsburg. As an Asian artist, I’m proud to use my tattoos as a medium to promote Oriental culture. I was more than excited to see that so many people loved my flash designs, and I can even help others ( During the Bobblehaus Pride event, 20% of our income was donated to HMI )
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a freelance illustrator & tattoo artist, I have a strong and original style that I am proud of. Both my illustration and tattoo works are narrative and good at telling stories behind my art. I developed a unique style by combining my knowledge of Eastern and Western art forms: combining Japanese wood decorations (Netsuke), traditional Chinese line drawing, and Western contemporary comics. All my illustrations and tattoo art came from my sketchbooks. When I draw illustrations, I will always do some rough sketches first and select the best one that I like, then make a final sketch and scan it into the computer to color digitally. And my tattoo process is the same. I make tattoo designs using traditional mediums before people claim them.
I feel very lucky that I have practiced realistic drawing techniques in China and been influenced by pop art in the United States. I grew up in Beijing and lived in New York after college. These different experiences often make me feel like an outsider, but this also makes my works a mixture of Eastern and Western cultures, which I cherish a lot.
From my work, viewers can see both Eastern and Western art influences, solid realistic techniques, and the interesting content of contemporary illustration art. My work is good at integrating different elements and finding a rare balance. Various life experiences give my work a unique quality.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Always be kind to others, especially your peers and colleagues. As a creative living in New York City, I have gotten so much help from the people around me. Some of them gave me support, some of them taught me important things, and my friends who were always there for me made me who I am. I wouldn’t have made it if I hadn’t met so many wonderful people and artists supporting each other is the most important lesson I learned in this large city.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tianqichen.work
- Instagram: @tianqi_chen_art @tq.tat
