Artist

Jenny is an artist rooted in the South and inspired by the foliage and wildlife that surrounds her. A background in pen and ink illustration and a love of bringing the natural world to life has led her to cultivate her art into illustrative realism tattoos. Her delicate fine lines, velvety pepper shading, and occasionally bold blackwork create movement as each element catches your eye. She welcomes all who are seeking a piece to healing their soul, one that enhances the self-love of their body, or one that is simply beautiful and unique.

Who or where do you get your inspiration from? The natural world is my main source of inspiration thematically, from the flora around me to vintage botanical illustrations. Stylistically I have always been in awe of Rembrandt and

Leonardo da Vinci’s work. I have drawn from these inspirations throughout my career as an artist in my pen and ink illustrations, and now I pepper shade tattoos using the same flow and movement I would with cross-hatching.

What would you say is your favorite part of the job? My favorite part of being a tattoo artist is how my art can impact someone else. I really love when we finish a tattoo together, and the client says, “Wow, I feel like this was always a part of me!” That usually follows with, “I’m never wearing sleeves again.” Which is wonderful; I love hearing that pride in their own body and the confidence that comes with it! Some days my impact comes in the form of happy tears; other days, sad tears. Then, others, an overwhelming amount of smiles and giggles!

What was it that initially sparked your interest in tattooing?

When I was an illustrator, I always enjoyed creating custom pen and ink drawings for clients. I saw that I could make other people happy with my art, but it still felt very isolating. I wanted a way to really collaborate and connect with them and thought, what better way to connect with my clients than giving them a permanent piece of art to wear forever!? I want each piece to be a part of them, and I love hearing the inspiration behind their ideas. Tattooing has brought so many incredible people into my life, and I am so honored that I get to share my art with people in such a permanent and intimate way. With every experience and design, my clients carry with them their inspiration for the tattoo, our time together, and a little piece of me. ✕

4.5 Years Tattooing Brooklyn, NY Location Independent Artist Illustrative Realism, Fine Line, Pepper Shading Specialty jennyallen.boneandink @gmail.com

@boneandink Instagram linktr.ee/boneandink .com

From childhood, Jeroen always loved to draw. He started to study Graphic Design when he was older. During this period, his passion for tattoos was born. When he graduated, he began working at an advertising agency. Later he started to combine his work with an apprenticeship. Because of his love for readable, clean tattoos, with still a lot of detail, he started focussing on Neo-traditional work only. A couple of years back, he opened his own shop called ‘Count Your Blessings Tattoo Studio.’ ⸺ Who or where do you get your inspiration from? It can come from everywhere; from nature, movies, and of course, other artists ⸺ What advice would you give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo? (A tattoo virgin) Don’t always go for the tattoo shop around the corner. Invest in searching for an artist that is specialized in the style you dig the most ⸺ What did your family and friends think about you getting into the tattoo business? My family and friends always supported me in the best possible way. I could use a lot of friends and my dad as a canvas when I had just started tattooing ⸺ What would you say is your favorite part of the job? People seem to like what I do, so I can draw and tattoo, on a daily basis, in the style I love the most ⸺ What was it that initially sparked your interest in tattooing? I have always loved drawing, and staring at cool images always made me happy. Seeing people in video clips or at concerts with those images on their bodies got me obsessed with tattoos ⸺ Was it hard getting an apprenticeship? How was yours? My girlfriend arranged it for me. She trusted me to do my first tattoo on her leg while we were at a local tattoo shop. An apprenticeship followed, so I guess I didn’t ruin it completely ⸺ What is the most important advice you can give someone new to the art of tattooing? Work hard! Play hard! No, just work hard! Just make sure you put a lot of time and effort into it, and it will pay off someday. Also, looking at work from other artists who I look up to helps me a lot. ✕

Georgia girl born and raised. I was lucky enough to land an apprenticeship in 2015. I dropped out of college, put all of my energy into tattooing and never looked back. Tattooing was much more interesting. I specialize in floral, ornamental, and mandala-inspired pieces derived from traditional roots.

What did your family and friends think about you getting into the tattoo business? It took some convincing