Today we’d like to introduce you to Jingxi Gu.
Hi Jingxi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The first thing that comes to mind is love. That is why I’m in the US which was never in the plans. My husband, Kevin, was asked to come back home to Los Angeles to help his family and of course, I went with him. I’m very lucky that my tattoo skills allow me to work anywhere in the world. I’ve been studying art since I was five years old and graduated with a B.A. from the top art program in China, Tsinghua University. After three years as a corporate designer, I was frustrated with the structured corporate world and needed more creative space. Tattooing offered a really interesting way to expand my art and design skills. I eventually opened up my own studio in Shanghai and when I moved to Los Angeles, my husband and I immediately decided to open up a new studio in Tarzana. Within two months of opening we were booked up for six months and had to close bookings until the backlog cleared. I’m very thankful and grateful for all the support I’ve gotten and the clients who have given me their trust!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The main struggle has always been balancing the art I’d love to do versus what the market and customers want. There are very unique art styles and techniques that can be applied but doesn’t follow what the mainstream considers to be beautiful. Over time I’m slowly getting there, but I see this as a lifelong journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
With my husband, I’m the co-owner and lead tattoo artist at Patch Tattoo Therapy, IG: patch_tattoo_therapy. I was widely known for geometric and dot work style tattoos then shifted into Chinese Painting which is my current signature style. Chinese Painting Style has been around for thousands of years and is known for its brush strokes and very beautiful color blend. I’m most proud of adjusting to different styles and challenging myself to learn new things. Given my formal art & design education and experience as a corporate designer, I’m very focused on tattoo designs applied to the human body. The style, placement, size, and tattoo construction are all very important components in making an amazing tattoo that will look great for a long time. What makes me different according to my clients is my diverse tattoo skill set and the Zen-like atmosphere we have at the studio.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We welcome guest artists at our shop and are happy to collaborate with other artists. We love to network and share skills. We can be contacted at info@patchtattootherapy.com. For clients who are interested in getting a tattoo, please email us at book@patchtattootherapy.com. We’re very responsive via email and razor-focused on customer service.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@patchtattootherapy.com
- Website: www.patchtattootherapy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patch_tattoo_therapy/
Image Credits
Melanie Lim and Kevin Yang
