We were lucky to catch up with Ningjia Zhai recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ningjia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

For me, becoming someone involved in the arts feels like the best fate could offer. No one in my family works in the arts; they’re all in finance or other professions that are highly regarded in Chinese society. Growing up, this gave me a lot of pressure about what career I should pursue. However, my family has always given me a lot of freedom, especially by respecting my wish not to attend any art training classes.

This might sound strange, but I’ve always had a gut feeling that if my artistic talent were confined by the structured thinking of training classes, I wouldn’t be able to create truly free artworks. I’d just become a robot producing perfect pieces. So, from a young age, my family gave me the space to explore my self-worth and do what I love.

But their support doesn’t mean I haven’t felt pressure to pursue a “respectable” career by traditional standards. My fiancé has been incredibly supportive of my journey to becoming a tattoo artist. He encourages me to live for myself and ignore other people’s opinions.

I’ve realized that everyone has their own duties and talents, and I should follow my heart and excel at what I’m good at, rather than living for the image of myself or my family.

Ningjia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am both a tattoo artist and an illustrator—these two roles are inseparable for me. I’ve loved drawing since I was a child and ended up studying illustration at the School of Visual Arts for my undergraduate degree. Even back in high school, I was fascinated by tattoo art and the combination of artwork with the body.

As a tattoo artist, my work is very personal. My design style and tattoo techniques are unique, so I never worry about my style being replaced. I was born in China and am heavily influenced by traditional Asian art, including not just Chinese but also Japanese and Korean painting and calligraphy. I often buy books and seek inspiration from literature and museum exhibits.

While I acknowledge that my style is deeply influenced by ancient masters, I am clear about the need to create my own artistic style. I combine the rhythms of Chinese gongbi calligraphy with the contouring techniques of Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai to depict plants and animals observed in nature, integrating them with the human body.

My work is often described as lively, spirited, and breathing. I don’t like the overly deep and heavy look of traditional tattoo techniques, so I chose to master single needle technique, which is the only method that can perfectly showcase my drawing style. It’s challenging, but the results are truly perfect.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Honestly, I’ve never really thought too far ahead, nor am I able to see that far into the future. I consider myself a very organized person, but I’ve come to realize that the world changes so quickly that even if I set goals, I might have to change them due to unforeseen circumstances. I prefer to take things one step at a time, letting things unfold naturally while I focus on my relationship with my work and my clients. I hope everything can continue organically and smoothly.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I feel lucky and grateful that so many people appreciate my work without me having to do too much. It’s important to continually hone your skills and always be thankful to your audience. Even in our digital world, interactions between people ultimately come down to heart-to-heart connections, so staying humble is key.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.beanbeantattoo.com/
• Instagram: @beanbeantattoo.nyc

Image Credits

Ningjia Zhai(@beanbeantattoo.nyc)