One Shade – Interview with tattoo artist Joojoo

Color makes the tattoo come alive. Tattoo artist Joojoo shares in this interview how simple colors can highlight a tattoo and express emotions.

There is a unique charm to tattoos with beautiful lines. Simple, sleek and elegant, the lines are so streamlined that there isn’t much need for decoration. But becoming a tattoo artist means finding your own style. Among the many beautiful line work out there, tattoo artist Joojoo’s profile stands out on my feed because of it. Joojoo combines sophisticated lines with color. What looks like a simple array of random colors will bring out the mood of the tattoo. And when they have emotions, they become approachable.

I had the pleasure of interviewing tattoo artist Joojoo about tattoos, art, inspiration, etc. If you love tattoos with beautiful lines, don’t miss it.

Interview with tattoo artist Joojoo

The beginning of a career

Tattoo artist Joojoo is based in Korea. As a young artist, Joojoo joined the entertainment industry 4 years ago and is actively practicing. While many artists make beautiful tattoos in Korea, Joojoo stands out from the crowd.

“I describe my tattoo style as thin, minimalist lines but with a twist. And the emphasis is on color.”

All of the tattoo artists I interviewed had different paths that led them to the industry. But what they all have in common is their passion for art. Joojoo is no exception.

“I like to express myself but not with words. Instead, I like to communicate with art, music and fashion. Among them, tattoos are my biggest passion. That’s why tattoo work always attracts me.”

But like other Korean tattoo artists, Joojoo also faces legal challenges.

“I love my job. It’s challenging and satisfying. And Korean tattoos are loved around the world. But by law, people who are not medical professionals are prohibited from getting tattoos. However , no one goes to see a doctor to get a tattoo. That’s what disappoints me the most.”

From sketch to ink

Despite all the challenges, Joojoo is determined to become the next star in the industry. And inspiration is the beginning of every beautiful tattoo.

“I love music, novels and nature. So I immerse myself in these elements to find inspiration and paint scenes in my head. And when I find something I’m really interested in, I dig deeper into the shape and color and briefly sketch it out on paper. Then I add color to see how it fits.”

Minimalist color tattoo by Joojoo

Joojoo values the harmony of tattoos. So, lines, colors and shading must work together to create a cohesive body art.

“Personally, I like the simplicity of thin, black lines. And I try my best to keep the lines clean. That will help the tattoo be better preserved. However, color is also important. Tattoos with the same black lines will have different emotions if I add different colors to them.”

For example, almost all of Joojoo’s signature lettering works have single or two-color backgrounds, giving them an aesthetic advantage.

“I remember when I got my first lettering tattoo, the original version looked a bit bland to me. So I came up with a way to add pastel colors to the text. And it instantly becomes more feminine and warmer. It was a breakthrough because I realized that there is a limit to the number of lines and words that can be expressed. And color breaks those boundaries.”

Joojoo is also an animal lover with a collection of super adorable animal tattoos. Birds, dogs, cats, whales, some are simple sketch tattoos. But there are also complicated ones.

Joojoo’s animal tattoos

“I love all animals on this planet, especially furry animals. That’s probably because I have a dog and a cat. They bring so much joy to my life. So I understand why animal tattoos are so popular – they are the tattooed person’s lifelong companion.”

How to find a good tattoo artist and a beautiful tattoo

Each person has a different standard for a beautiful tattoo. Some people look for small and meaningful tattoos, while others are concerned with aesthetics. But as a tattoo artist, Joojoo looks at it more technically.

“I think a beautiful tattoo must match the skin color. So it doesn’t look uncomfortable. It would be better if it flatters the body shape. That is also the goal I am pursuing.”

Combination of color and black line

Of course, if you’re considering getting a tattoo, you probably don’t need to worry too much about getting it done. But it’s important to find a good tattoo artist who can turn your ideas into ink on your skin. So what should we look for in a good tattoo artist?

“In my opinion, a good tattoo artist must have a sense of responsibility, creativity and passion for tattooing. Tattoos are a big commitment. When customers trust you with their skin, it is a huge responsibility. That’s what will motivate you to practice to perfection. So talk to the tattoo artists you’re thinking of and check out their previous work. Stay away from them if their work is sloppy and you don’t feel interested in the conversation.”

If you’re thinking about your first tattoo design, tattoo artist Joojoo also has some great suggestions.

“Start with something you like. Look around. Maybe it’s your dog, the flowers in your bedroom, or a quote that inspires you. If it pleases you aesthetically and better yet if you resonate with its meaning, then it makes good tattoo material.”

Look to the future

A good tattoo artist never stops learning and improving. And that’s what Joojoo does.

“If I wasn’t a tattoo artist, I’d probably be a crafts or costume designer, definitely art-related. But for now, my goal is to improve my drawing skills and learn as much as I can. And hopefully, when I have the opportunity to guest in other cities or countries, I can learn more about different cultures.”

If you want to know more about tattoo artist Joojoo, check out Joojoo’s Instagram profile. Or if you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section!