28-year-old Jennifer Soon, also known as Jynk Ink, is a freelance jagua tattoo artist known for her botanical pieces. We meet up with her to learn more about her craft, and the popular plant-based temporary tattoo ink.
It’s just after 1 in the afternoon as we pull up to Jen’s studio at Jalan Pelikat.
Not having had time for lunch, it doesn’t help that the route to her studio is paved with bad intentions. And by ‘bad intentions’ I mean wafting scents of freshly baked bread and cookies from small bakeries along the way.
Jen welcomes us into her quaint studio with a big smile. As we stroll in, we notice colourful murals, and intricate illustrations that pepper the walls. I’m not sure what blend of essential oils she uses but the pleasant smells drifting through the air, dim lighting and zen feels make me easily forget the rumbling in my tummy.
I confess the first time I’d heard about jagua art was several years ago. It seemed like a right treat for those who couldn’t commit to permanent tattoos. Lasting much longer than the temporary tattoos you’d get in a typical NDP fun pack, jagua tattoos can last up to a good 1-2 weeks and stain a deep blue-black, more closely resembling permanent tatts than henna. They feature 1 core ingredient: fruit juice extracted from the jagua plant (Genipa Americana), native to South America.
While aware of some prominent Jagua tattoo artists and collectives like Henndrawn, I couldn’t help but notice more independent ones springing up on my IG feed since the pandemic started. One account that caught my eye was Jen’s, which was brimming with details pieces and gorgeous botanical pieces.
So of course, I got in touch and invited her to join me for a chat.
skin and tones.
futr: Hi Jen! Could you share more about yourself and what you enjoy doing in your free time?
Jen: Hi! So I’ve been a jagua tattoo artist since about 2017, and also a permanent tattoo artist in-training. I also enjoy animation, and dancing. And I do some yoga and weightlifting too.
Weightlifting…?
Yeah! (laughs) Like deadlifts and all. I think it’s important to engage your core, especially when there’s a need to be steady or stable for your job. And not just for artists, anyone working at a computer really.
Okay… I’ll take your word for it. So what got you started on jagua tattooing anyway?
It was totally unplanned! Prior to that, I was studying illustration in poly, and then moved on to do animation in university. But towards the end of school, I discovered henna and it kinda blew my mind? (laughs) And then Inkbox became popular so I sampled their bottled inks. I started trying jagua tattoos on my friends. And then did one pop-up event, then two… and then it kind of spiralled from there!
So animation was out of the picture then?
After I graduated, I did jagua tattoos for about 6 months before I started a full-time job as a Motion Graphics Artist. I continued jagua tattoos even then. Eventually it got to a point where I was earning as much from jagua as my full-time job, so I thought – might as well go all in!
Woah, really?
Yeah, I mean, I used to do a lot of events and that’s where the money is. Unfortunately… there’s not been that many events since the pandemic began.
Ah, true. And did you have plans to do permanent tattoos around the same time you started jagua?
Nah, the interest in permanent tattoos was more recent. They’re totally different. I’ve mainly just been experimenting on myself with blood lines. (laughs)
getting under your skin.
What inspires you most when it comes to tattooing?
So many things. I love flowers, they come very naturally to me. I’m also inspired by animation. I love trying to incorporate movement into still images.
What kind of clients do you typically get?
There are 3 kinds – those who want to get a better feel of a permanent tattoo they’re interested in, those who just enjoy switching their look up every now and then, and those who want to scare their parents! (laughs)
What do you enjoy most about jagua tattooing?
I think one of my favourite things is meeting people and hearing their stories.
It is quite a chill environment, I can see why they’d be so open for a chat!
(nods) It’s likely therapeutic, I guess? It’s probably not quite the same experience when you get a permanent tattoo done. The level of concentration needed from the artist then is much higher. Jagua artists can pause for a few seconds, laugh and then get back to work. (laughs)
So have there been any stories that have resonated with you?
Yeah, for sure. My mum passed away from cancer, so every time I get a client who comes in and shares that they’re caring for someone with cancer, or maybe have cancer themselves, it makes me connect with them more. And I find that the final work is so much more meaningful as well.
jynk-ing the juice.
Could you tell us more about jagua ink?
Sure, so jagua is a plant-based ink. But what not a lot of people know about it is that every company that supplies jagua has their own “recipe”, in that the concentrations of each ingredient are different. How they extract the juice, and where they get their jagua from also differs.
What typically goes into a jagua ink recipe?
It depends – you’ll find that it varies depending on climate. So the ingredients are typically varied depending on what suits customers better wherever you’re tattooing at.
Right, right. But eventually the end-product is a sort of gel which is applied?
Well, there are two forms of jagua ink. The first is a gel made out of the juice itself, and there’s another where the juice is freeze-dried and turned into powder. The powder then gets turned into a sort of thicker paste, similar to henna.
Interesting! So is jagua similar to henna, apart from the difference in colours?
They differ in terms of colours, ingredients, and how long it lasts on your skin. With henna there’s usually the store-bought kind and bridal henna. Bridal henna can last for a month, whereas the store-bought one usually for a few days. Jagua in comparison lasts from 1-2 weeks. Henna’s also a lot harder to make and use.
How so?
Well, henna is very time sensitive – so if you take too long to use it, the henna will spoil. So you have to keep making it and using it up. Whereas with jagua, you can keep it in the freezer for a year or so.
Are the ingredients that go into jagua ink usually a concern for customers?
Sometimes. It’s usually a concern for those with very sensitive skin or who have skin conditions like eczema. Though the highest allergy rate usually has to do with the essential oils that go into jagua, I think allergic reactions can happen to anyone. So I always recommend coming in for a patch test first to be safe.
So why are essential oils… essential for jagua tattoos?
They help with allowing the stain to stick to the skin better. But of course, while jagua tattoos last about 1-2 weeks, it varies because of our hot and humid climate. In warmer locations, people sweat and bathe more often so the tattoo fades faster.
getting comfortable in your own skin.
There seem to be more independent jagua tattoo artists emerging, especially since the pandemic. Why do you think this is so?
It could be because jagua tattoos artists like myself have been doing more workshops teaching the art. So perhaps more people are picking things up and starting their own businesses.
So has business slowed for you since the pandemic started?
Yes, business has gotten worse. But strangely, I’ve been getting a lot more requests to do corporate events since companies want to find interesting ways to get their workers back to the office. It’s pretty cool that they’re offering jagua tatts as a perk!
What are some common misconceptions about jagua artists?
The most heartbreaking thing is when people think the work is very easy and question why prices are high for certain designs. Some designs take longer to do than others – even 6 hours! But most of the time some customers see it as a flat price and don’t take the time needed into account, or the effort that goes into bending forward for hours non-stop.
Ah, that sucks. I guess people in similar professions or in the creative industries can definitely relate. Have you ever experienced customers bargaining over the price?
All. The. Time. (laughs) Price is always agreed on before we start but sometimes customers start bargaining mid-session. And it’s a little surprising when it comes from fellow artists themselves.
Any advice for aspiring jagua tattoo artists?
Just go for it! The best way to learn is just to try. Of course, do the research and find out how jagua compares to henna, or other newer inks. Innovation is always happening – there’s even an artist in Italy now who’s making super bright red ink from plant-based ingredients and fruit juices!
Also, never be afraid to try out a new business, but don’t let the business side of things “cut into” your passion. And if it doesn’t work out, there are so many other artistic mediums you can explore. It’s all part of building your own artistic personality!
As we wrap things up at Jen’s studio, I realise how easy it is to talk to her despite just having met her. She shyly apologises about her answers not being the most interesting but I laugh it off. I don’t think she realises just how exciting it is for me to listen to her speak about tattoos and art.
After all, there’s nothing more thrilling than sharing moments with others who are so committed and passionate about their craft.
quick tips on jagua tattoo care.
- Make it last longer by moisturising every day. The stain fades when your skin renews.
- Avoid scratching or working out too often.
- Factor in tattoo placement. The thickness of your skin varies depending on location. Stains on the outer skin of your arm will fade after a week or more because of thinner skin. Stains on the inside of your arm will likely last longer.
Want a tattoo but can’t deal with the commitment (just yet)? Check out Jynk Ink for more information about jagua tattoos, or get in touch with her on Instagram here. Also be sure to drop by Light to Night Festival (14 January-3 February) to catch Jen in action and get tatted up yourself!
Have we got your creative juices tingling? Browse more stories from our Creative Juices series here!
