Tattoos were never really something I saw myself getting – just not my thing. I can definitely admire some awesome tattoos on other people, though. It wasn’t until I discovered the work of Jay Freestyle that my perspective on tattoos completely changed. This Johannesburg native, now based in Amsterdam, is redefining tattoo art with his unique blend of graphic design, watercolor, and abstract freehand techniques. Check out the video below to see his incredible work in action.
I never thought I’d want a tattoo, but that changed when I discovered the incredible work of Jay Freestyle. His artistry is truly unique and enchanting, making me want to share it with others. Jay, also known as Jonathan Hong, transitioned from being a piercer and painter to a tattoo artist six years ago. His tattoos are deeply emotional and otherworldly, but the catch is that you have to let him use you as his canvas. While my colleagues admired his talent, I was the only one who expressed interest in getting inked by him, despite having just one small tattoo myself. Jay’s creativity shines through when he creates art straight from his mind, referring to his clients as ‘collectors’. After my initial post about him went viral, Jay invited me to his studio in Amsterdam to receive a surprise tattoo. I eagerly booked my flights, knowing that I wouldn’t see the design until it was on my skin, as Jay prefers to work with complete creative freedom.
I requested orchids for my tattoo design, but the final result was a surprise until it was actually inked on my skin.
We followed the standard protocol of changing into a bikini before diving into the three-hour brainstorming session for the tattoo design.
I never hesitated or entertained the thought of changing my mind. I was filled with excitement to go through the tattooing process.
Fast forward five months from when I first wrote about it, and I found myself at the tattoo artist’s studio with only a reference image of pink orchids to work with.
He had grand ambitions for the tattoo – extending from my shoulder down to my bottom. I hesitated and firmly said no. After changing into a bikini as requested, we spent three hours discussing the design of the tattoo. Jay meticulously searched for orchid images on Google and sifted through graphic files on his laptop in silence. He then started outlining, sketching, and marking my body without much dialogue, leaving me to merely observe instead of directing the process. I could only make suggestions or request changes if I felt uncertain about the direction. For instance, when Jay suggested adding jewelry on my hip, I requested to minimize geometric shapes and keep it looking natural without pointillism. He argued that the jewel was necessary for aesthetic balance, so we proceeded with his vision. Despite his desire to cover my entire side from shoulder to bottom, I firmly drew the line and compromised, settling for two orchids on my stomach, with a bit of extension onto the ribs but not the entire side.
He began by tattooing the jewel which was fine, then moved on to the lower flower – also no problem. The tattooing process was manageable for the first four hours out of six. Starting with the jewel was okay, and working on the lower flower was fine too. The upper flower on my front ribs was quite painful, taking an hour to complete, but I managed not to cry.
When he tattooed the butterfly wing on the back of my ribcage and added paint splashes reaching my armpit, I couldn’t help but shed tears and may have let out a scream or two. The sensation felt like digging and ripping scratches on my skin.
While they say it’s not advisable to tattoo ribs for more than three hours at a time, we had time constraints. I was told I handled the pain well, even though I felt like a baby as I cried.
At the halfway mark, I requested to see the unfinished tattoo, but Jay refused, saying he hadn’t completed the design yet. This refusal made me worried, as this artwork was going on my body.
I became anxious when I questioned the height of the paint splashes and requested Jay to halt the escalating design. He was displeased as he already had a vision for the composition and how it should appear.
It was clear that I wasn’t fully prepared for the entire tattooing experience.
He inquired about my color preferences and made sure to incorporate them into his work.
When he inked the butterfly wing nestled against the curve of my ribcage, it brought tears to my eyes.
The feeling of the paint splatters reaching up to my armpit seemed akin to a rough, scratching sensation.
The object was massive, enveloped in darkness. It loomed large and imposing, dotted with small points of light. I never agreed to having those dots there.
I felt like he really took his time observing me and carefully crafting something truly amazing.
By the end of the session, I was completely drained. I had only had a can of coke and some apricots all day after a big breakfast. It was already 9pm and I found myself crying uncontrollably, both from the pain and from feeling completely overwhelmed and helpless.
Despite knowing what I was getting myself into, I couldn’t control my reactions after spending so much time on the table and facing the harsh reality of it all. When I finally saw the finished piece, it was huge and very dark, much bigger than I had anticipated. And there were dots included which I had never agreed to.
However, the beauty of the flowers in the tattoo brought me comfort – the way the wing curved around my ribs and the orchid on my waistline. The chain delicately accentuated my hips, looking both sexy and elegant. It wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but I liked it.
I had asked Jay to create a tattoo that would enhance my figure and make me look more feminine and curvy. He jokingly mentioned that everyone usually wants to look thinner and taller, not the other way around. But he definitely delivered something unique and unexpected.
Wearing Jay’s artwork on my skin makes me feel like a walking piece of art, intentionally designed for me. It’s much larger than I had planned, but only subtly visible from the front and back. I appreciate how it’s revealed when I move my arm or show my side.
The emotional journey I went through during the tattoo session is something I will never forget. Check out Jay’s website or Facebook for more details, pricing available upon request. Special thanks to 360 Media Solutions for their assistance.
I appreciate the subtle glimpses of it from both the front and back – it adds to the intrigue for me.
