Today we’d like to introduce you to Xin Lu.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have loved drawing since I was a child. During my school days, I worked part-time as an art teacher for five years, teaching art courses for all ages: from children’s enlightenment painting to high school student art courses. I also set up the kidult graffiti crew while I was a student in college. I love all forms of art creation: graffiti, installations, photography, and 3D effects of light and shadow. Etc. I have always liked Tattoo art and I ultimately chose to become a tattoo artist. Tattoos may be skin deep, but their significance often goes much deeper. The messages sent by body art are an individual’s self-expression, but there are recurring motifs that can often tell you something about the wearer. After I graduated from Hubei Academy of Fine Arts with a master’s degree, I founded my own studio “DZG (Dong Zhen Ge) Tattoo” in 2014 and since then, I have completed thousands of tattoos so far.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It is never easy to become a tattoo artist. Tattooing isn’t a 9-5 job, and it isn’t easy to be successful in this profession. In addition to the late nights and long weekends spent tattooing, I also need to spend countless hours at the computer, talking on the phone, and talking to people in public to build my brand. There are thousands of other tattoo artists in the world, it is not easy to compete with all of those artists to draw customers.
Becoming a tattoo artist takes a lot of hard work. It requires years of dedication and commitment. It took me years of practice drawing designs and tattooing in addition to building up my reputation in the industry. I participated in several tattoo training classes that were organized by the most famous tattoo artists in the industry to improve my design skills and tattooing techniques. I also went to Japan to participate in the Tokyo Rock Painting Research Society to learn about the production principles of Japanese paper, the properties of mineral rock colors and the way of painting, as well as the techniques of Japanese rock painters. I will never stop learning and practicing my craft in order to become successful in the tattoo industry.
With consistency and persistence, I have now acquired all the skills necessary to create my own space in the highly competitive business and become truly successful at tattooing. I have a great number of customers that have specifically requested me and my work for a tattoo. On March 18th, 2022, I attended the Chicago Tattoo Arts Festival. My tattoo works were highly appraised; I received a lot of positive feedback from the attendees and I had made several appointments with new customers at the festival.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I like communicating with customers throughout the design process, and I try to make the design process as easy and enjoyable as possible for them. By talking with customers, listening to their stories, I create their tattoo based on their personality and character. My customers like my way of engaging them in the design process, and they are very satisfied with my tattoo design.
I also like to study different cultures and creative methods, especially traditional Chinese culture. I incorporate the elements of Chinese culture such as a dragon, tiger, legendary person, historical figure, Chinese symbol and letters, etc. into my tattoo designs. When my customers are satisfied with my design, they often refer me to their friends. I am happy to see that Chinese tattoos have become more and more popular. Many customers ask me to design tattoos with traditional Chinese elements, partly to commemorate their past and pray for the future.
What are your plans for the future?
I would like to travel more for work. I also want to participate in more international exhibitions so that I can express my tattoo works and also spread Chinese culture and Chinese tattoos throughout the world. Additionally, I would like to open my own private studio in the US so that I can continue serving more customers and designing more amazing tattoos.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dongzhengetattoo/
