Today we’d like to introduce you to Zhenjia Du.
Hi Zhenjia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am Horitian, my real name is Zhenjia Du, and I am the owner of Horitian Tattoo. I have been involved in the tattoo industry for 14 years and graduated from an art school in China. Due to the lack of openness and support for tattoo culture among Asians, I decided to come to Los Angeles, USA in 2011. The people here have a great fondness for and acceptance of tattoo culture. However, due to language barriers and not knowing how to obtain a license, my first job was as a waiter in a Chinese restaurant. I worked during the day and tattooed my colleagues and friends at night. In my free time, I focused on drawing and self-studying English. I persevered until one day, a customer from the United States came to the restaurant where I worked, and his tattoos caught my attention. It was then that I discovered he was a tattoo artist. He was friendly and told me how to get licensed and the process of tattooing in the United States. He patiently taught me many techniques for European and American-style tattoos. Afterward, I moved to Houston to start my tattooing career. When I arrived in the city, there wasn’t a single Chinese tattoo shop, not even a Chinese tattoo artist—I was the only one. No one knew me here, and there was no one to study and discuss tattoos with, no one to accompany me in drawing. No one even offered any words of encouragement. I felt very lonely at that time, and I had to do everything by myself in my rented apartment. I distributed business cards everywhere to attract customers but with little effect. Relying on tattooing alone couldn’t solve my financial problems. I was unwilling to ask for help from my family because I was born in a small village in China, and my parents are ordinary workers. I didn’t want to cause them more trouble or worry. I told them that everything was fine here. I reduced my meals from three to two per day, eating the cheapest hamburgers and packets of inexpensive instant noodles just to get by. I couldn’t even afford a drink and had to drink tap water from the apartment. But I never gave up; “perseverance” was the only thing I could do. Later, I took on part-time jobs painting murals for restaurants and churches, which allowed more people to get to know me. The number of clients seeking tattoos from me gradually increased, and eventually, I attracted many young people with dreams, just like me, who wanted to learn tattooing from me. Finally, I had my own tattoo shop. I created an environment here that matched my initial vision. I wanted a group of people with dreams and a passion for tattoos to work together, draw, tattoo, and discuss tattoo techniques, no longer feeling lonely. When I was down and out, I didn’t receive encouragement or help, but in my shop, I am always willing to extend a helping hand to those who have gone through similar experiences. I provide them with the best working and learning environment, encourage and help them become excellent tattoo artists.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. When I first came to America, I didn’t know anything about it. When I started tattooing there was no one to support me, no one to encourage me, no one around me, and no one to believe I can do tattoos. I’ve been working hard to prove that I can do it. Now I have two shops, I have apprentices, I have won awards at tattoo conventions every year, and I also tattoo some famous people. I believe that no matter how life treats you, don’t give up lightly; stick to your dreams, and you will definitely make yourself valuable.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a tattoo artist; I owned 2 tattoo shops, I do paintings and tattoos; I’m most proud that I got where I am today with nothing and no help from anyone.
I think what sets me apart is style and thinking. The styles in the shop are different from other tattoo parlors, and my team doesn’t just do one or a few styles. My team is proficient in any style of tattoos; the most special is that we mainly do Japanese-style tattoos.
How do you define success?
I think success has no end; as long as you persist, you will always do better and better. Success is also relative to oneself. Everyone has a different starting point and a different goal. Every stage is better than the previous stage. Maybe it is success.
Pricing:
- 150—250 per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: horitiantattoo.com
- Instagram: tiantattooart
- Facebook: Tian Du
Image Credits
@tiantattooart
