Chou’s approach to tattooing, shaped by an apprenticeship in Korea and further refined through international exposure, reflects a deep commitment to creating tattoos that enhance the body’s natural lines while embodying personal stories and artistic integrity.
- Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about who you are?
I’m Chou and I’m working in Chronicink, Canada. - When did you first become interested in art?
I’ve been interested in art since I was very young before I could even remember. - What made you want to become a tattooer?
The main reason was because the job seemed cool. The idea of giving a lifelong art on people’s bodies appealed to me. Secondly, before getting tattoos on my body, I wanted to understand the principles of tattoos. So, I started learning about tattoos. - How did you start tattooing? Did you have an apprenticeship?
After apprenticing in Korea for several months, I became a certified tattoo artist. After about a year of furthering my tattoo studies, I spent three months in Canada. where I got to see a broader perspective. It was there that I realized my shortcomings, prompting me to return to Korea and learn from one of the most renowned teachers in the country. Since then, I have continued to seek out and learn from various tattoo masters.
- How would you describe your signature style? How long did it take you to find this style?
It seems that the terms ‘mid-low chromatic color palette’ and ‘flow’ are the most fitting words to express my style.When I first started learning about tattoos, I had a somewhat negative view of color tattoos. The reason was that the colors often looked tacky after sufficient healing.So I thought a lot that I didn’t want to get a color tattoo on my body. but many customers preferred my color designs. To address this concern, I deliberated a lot. And I realized that to showcase the colors and healing I wanted, the tattoo needed to be slightly larger. During this process, I discovered that if I try bigger tattoos, I can show flow and I will beautifully accentuate my body’s lines.All my considerations begin with the question, ‘How would this tattoo look on my body?’ This has been a significant help in finding my style.
- Your tattoos have an interesting balance between realistic elements, highlight color, and insane detail. How do you create this balance? Does it vary based on the subject matter?
It’s essential to have captivating themes that can complement each other. The relationships between them should be harmonious. Additionally, deliberate color selection is crucial to ensure that the composition doesn’t appear too chaotic. I enjoy depicting details and showcasing a variety of color palettes, but it’s a double-edged sword. I often spend a significant amount of time contemplating the details in my designs.
- Can you walk us through your design process?
First, I grasp the given theme, and then I search for images that can complement each other. Afterward, I think how these images can be arranged to suit the desired body placement of the customer. And lastly, I think about effective color arrangement and try it. - What do you think you’d be doing if you weren’t a tattoo artist?
I was an art academy teacher before becoming a tattoo artist. If I hadn’t become a tattoo artist, maybe I would have lived as an art academy teacher in Korea? Haha - How did you come to find your current style?
I have a habit of looking at images for 30 minutes each night before going to bed. It seems that researching various images has left an impression on my subconscious and is reflected in my current use of colors and designs. - Where do you see your art going in the future?
I want to use tattoos to highlight the beautiful body lines of my customers and cover up any flaws they might have. My work will continue to focus on this aspect moving forward. - What do you think you’d be doing if you weren’t a tattoo artist?
I would probably have been teaching at an art academy in Korea, but eventually I would have been interested in tattoos. My life as a tattoo artist is like destiny
