I never thought I would ever get a tattoo, as it wasn’t really my style. However, I can appreciate stunning tattoos on others. That all changed when I came across the exceptional work of Jay Freestyle. Originally from Johannesburg and now residing in Amsterdam, he is revolutionizing the world of tattoos with his innovative mix of graphic design, watercolor, and abstract freehand methods. Be sure to watch the video below to witness his extraordinary creations in person.
I never thought I would be interested in getting a tattoo, but everything changed when I came across the amazing work of Jay Freestyle. His artistic talent is truly one of a kind and captivating, making me eager to show it to others. Jay, also known as Jonathan Hong, made the switch from being a piercer and painter to a tattoo artist six years ago. His tattoos are deeply emotional and almost otherworldly, with the unique aspect being that you have to let him use your body as his canvas. While my friends and coworkers admired his skills, I was the only one brave enough to consider getting inked by him, despite only having one small tattoo myself. Jay’s artistic flair really comes to life when he creates designs straight from his imagination, referring to his clients as ‘collectors’. After my initial post about Jay went viral, he reached out to me and invited me to his studio in Amsterdam to receive a surprise tattoo. I excitedly booked my flights, knowing I wouldn’t see the design until it was being inked on my skin, as Jay prefers to work with complete creative freedom.
I asked for orchids to be included in my tattoo design, but I had no idea what the final result would look like until it was permanently etched onto my skin.
We stuck to the usual routine of putting on our bikinis before immersing ourselves in a lengthy three-hour brainstorming session to create the perfect tattoo design. There was no second guessing or wavering in my decision. I was brimming with anticipation for the upcoming tattooing experience. Jump ahead to five months later from when I initially discussed it, and there I was in the tattoo artist’s studio armed with just a picture of pink orchids as inspiration.
He had big plans for the tattoo, envisioning it stretching from my shoulder all the way down to my bottom. I had my doubts and politely declined. After changing into a bikini as he suggested, we spent three hours discussing the tattoo design. Jay meticulously scoured Google for orchid images and searched through graphic files on his laptop in thoughtful silence. Then, he began outlining, sketching, and marking my skin without much conversation, leaving me to quietly observe instead of giving directions. I could only offer suggestions or request changes if I felt unsure about the direction. For example, when Jay proposed adding jewelry on my hip, I asked him to tone down the geometric shapes and maintain a natural look without pointillism. He insisted that the jewel was essential for visual balance, so we proceeded with his vision. Despite his eagerness to cover my entire side from shoulder to bottom, I held my ground and reached a compromise, opting for two orchids on my stomach with a slight extension onto my ribs but not the entire side.
He started by tattooing the gem, which went smoothly, then moved on to the lower flower without any issues. The first four hours of the tattooing process were bearable. The beginning with the gem was fine, and working on the lower flower was not a problem either. The upper flower on my front ribs was quite painful, taking an hour to finish, but I was able to tough it out without shedding tears. However, when he started tattooing the butterfly wing on the back of my ribs and added paint splashes that extended to my armpit, it became too much to handle. Tears started flowing, and I might have let out a scream or two. The sensation felt like my skin was being scraped and torn. Although it’s recommended not to tattoo ribs for over three hours at a time, we were on a tight schedule. Despite feeling like a baby for crying, I was told that I handled the pain well. At the halfway point, I asked to see the unfinished tattoo, but Jay refused, explaining that he hadn’t completed the design yet. This refusal made me anxious since the artwork was going to be permanently on my body. My anxiety grew as I questioned the placement of the paint splashes and asked Jay to stop the design from getting more elaborate. He was not pleased, as he had a clear vision for how the composition should look. It became evident that I was not mentally prepared for the entire tattooing process.
He asked me about the colors I liked and then skillfully included them in his artistry.
The tears welled up in my eyes as he skillfully tattooed a butterfly wing on the delicate curve of my ribcage.
It felt like the paint splatters were climbing up my arm, causing a rough and scratchy feeling that reached all the way to my armpit.
The item was enormous, shrouded in shadow. It stood tall and imposing, speckled with tiny dots of light. I never approved of those specks being there.
He really took his time studying me and creating something truly remarkable. After the session, I was completely exhausted. I had only eaten a can of soda and some apricots all day. It was late and I found myself in tears, overwhelmed by the pain and emotions. Even though I knew what I was in for, I couldn’t control my reactions after spending so much time on the table. When I saw the finished tattoo, it was larger and darker than I expected, with dots I hadn’t agreed to. Despite the unexpected elements, the floral design brought me solace. The way the wing curved around my ribs and the orchid on my waistline made me feel both sexy and elegant. It wasn’t exactly what I had envisioned, but I ended up liking it. I had asked Jay to create a tattoo that would enhance my curves and femininity. He joked that most people want to look thinner and taller, not the other way around. However, he delivered something unique and surprising. Wearing Jay’s artwork makes me feel like a walking masterpiece, tailored just for me. It’s larger than I had planned, but subtly visible in certain movements. The emotional journey I experienced during the session will always stay with me. Visit Jay’s website or Facebook for more information, pricing available on request. Special thanks to 360 Media Solutions for their support.
I love catching glimpses of it from different angles, both the front and the back. It just increases the mystery and fascination for me.
