Check Out Haoze(gary) Zhong’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Haoze(gary) Zhong

Hi Haoze(Gary), thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
This is quite a long story. Since I was a child, I’ve been very interested in art. I loved reading comics and enjoyed drawing them. However, before the age of 16, I was living in China, where pursuing art education requires a certain level of financial stability. My family wasn’t particularly wealthy, so I never had the opportunity to study art systematically. Still, it remained my passion, and I always dreamed of working in an art-related field.

Later, I came to the U.S, I finished high school and attended college for two years. Then COVID-19 happened. After that, I got caught up in having fun and didn’t continue my studies, living aimlessly for a while. About six months later, I didn’t want my parents to worry about my future anymore, so I considered joining the military. In my parents’ traditional mindset, being in the military meant having a stable job and a secure future. However, because I had undergone back surgery in high school, my application was repeatedly rejected.

That’s when I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a tattoo artist. There were three main reasons why I chose this path. First, I thought tattoo artists were really cool, and I wanted to be as cool as them. Second, this profession aligned perfectly with my dream of working in an art-related field. Third, I heard that tattoo artists could earn a decent income.

So, I began learning under a mentor, starting with sketching designs, then practicing on synthetic skin, and eventually finding clients willing to let me tattoo their precious skin to gain experience. I’m truly grateful to every single person who has helped and trusted me along the way.

And that’s how I became a tattoo artist.

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?
This path has not been smooth. My parents are traditional Chinese, and in Chinese society and culture, tattoos still carry a certain stigma. So when they first heard that I had chosen to become a tattoo artist, they were quite opposed to it—especially since it was such a drastic shift from wanting to join the military to pursuing tattooing.

However, I was very determined. They saw the hard work and effort I put into becoming a tattoo artist, and more importantly, they saw that I was truly happy throughout the process. Over time, they gradually began to trust my decision and slowly let go of their prejudice.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a tattoo artist, I didn’t have a clear vision of the style I wanted to specialize in from the beginning. I’ve always liked many different styles, so making a definitive choice was quite difficult.

Currently, the designs I do most often are snakes and dragons, which I’m relatively skilled at. However, I believe there’s still room for improvement. Right now, I’m still exploring and trying to expand my artistic range beyond just snakes and dragons, hoping to develop a broader variety of styles and creative choices.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
First and foremost, if you’re considering becoming a tattoo artist, I believe the most important prerequisite is that you genuinely love tattoos. This industry doesn’t offer quick returns—it requires accumulating a vast amount of knowledge and experience. So having a passion for tattoos is essential.

When looking for a mentor, it’s important to find someone who specializes in the style you love. Personally, I don’t recommend short-term training courses because learning tattooing is a long-term process. Even now, I wouldn’t dare to call myself a highly skilled tattoo artist—I’m still constantly learning and refining my techniques.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gary.tattooer?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Dragon and snake tattoos