Exclusive Tattooed Chicks Interview With Jinxi Boo
Your Questions Answered
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1.) Have you ever come up against people who are prejudiced against your love of tattoos and your desire to have them on show? Rachel Nottinghamshire, UK
Oh yes, most definitely! Most days I encounter the ever-present "looks of disapproval" from people when I am out & about shopping, running errands, etc. I have had many people approach me before and ask me why I would do that to myself and I try to explain that it's beautiful body artwork to me. I love the process, the design, the impressive artisty that goes into each one, the lifestyle, the people that I am friends with that are tattooed, etc. Though some don't understand and disagree, I try to tell them that it is a positive addition to my body & life - not a negative one, as they sometimes try to insinuate and the bottom line is, it's MY body - not theirs! I have also received many emails online from people that are bothered & disgusted by tattoo work, but again, I try to educate them with the reasons why I love them... sometimes, it has a positive effect... and sometimes, people are just close-minded and prejudiced no matter what. |
Most definitely! The experience of living in such a total opposite world from my own TOTALLY taught me to be appreciative for the happiness, love, support, open-minded, freethinking, colorful, beautiful, creative life I am so lucky to lead! I learned to appreciate how much of a postive role equality plays in my household. When forced to live the "Man Law" I saw how ugly sexism is and truly appreciate how important being treated as an equal is, as it should be. I also came home with such a HUGE renewed appreciation for the amazing people in my life and renewed appreciation for an open mind & for freethinking surroundings.
3.) What has been your biggest achievement to date? Stephanie, Oklahoma, US
Being a mom to my 3 amazing kids! No question! =)
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4.) Does the way that you look affect your children? Lou, NY, US
Yes, I think it does. My kids know that their mom looks much different than most moms and because of that, they have learned to not judge a book by its cover and appreciate someone for the person they are inside and the way that they treat others. I am constantly amazed, when we are out with the kids, that some adults & PARENTS will nudge their children and say things, like, "look at that weird lady," or "I hope you never look like that," etc. What a horrible lesson to teach your children. I think my kids know that my tattoos have NOTHING to do with the person I am inside and it teaches them to judge a person for their inner being and not their exterior. Tattoos only enhance the beauty of a person, in my opinion... and I try to teach that to my kids. They are always so excited for me when I have a tattoo appt and want to see the new addition the minute I get home. They are also proud to show their friends my new tattoos, which is super cute and I appreciate it a lot! |
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I am not sure. Of our 3 kids, all of them, at this point, say they want them when they are old enough. 2 of them have pieces planned out and 1 in undecided. It will be interesting to see if they do or don't - it's their choice for sure and of course I would support always them - with ink or without! =)
6.) Do you have any fears? Carley Orlando, US
I always have so many ideas and thoughts swirling around in my head, that I worry about not making the most of each day - and my life as a whole - to help others and get messages across that I feel are important! I always wish the days had more hours within them so I could get more accomplished.
I fear drunk drivers and I fear getting skin cancer, because I used to spend way too much time in the sun without protecting it the way I do now.
7.) Jinxi Boo! Who or what has inspired you the most throughout your life? Loubee, Birmingham, UK
Wow! What a great question. Well, my husband has been the greatest inspiration to me since the first day I met him in 1989. He supports me & who I am so wholeheartedly that it makes me want to be better, to be stronger, to become more, accomplish more, be happy and make the most of each day. I also have huge appreciation for Dr. Seuss - his work, his vision, his artwork, his desire to make the most of life while influencing others & delivering so much happiness at the same time. I am inspired by Camryn and her kind heart & desire to help others. As well as Mary Blair, for her amazing creations, strength and the role model she was for female artists.
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8.) Do you ever consider how you and others will feel about your body art when you reach a ripe old age' Velvet St Helens UK
I always say I will be "the fiercest grandma in town." I love each tattoo I have and love the memory I have of that time in my life when I collected it... and believe that this appreciation & love will only strengthen with more appreciation as I get older. One of my favorite quotes is: "I do not regret the things I have done... but those I did not do." |
I own over 200 pairs of knee-hi sox, over 150 pairs of sock-socks & over 50 pairs of stockings - and the collection grows allllll the time (yay for that!)
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jinxi for being such a good sport, Thanks!!!
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Interview With Jinxi Boo Interview from Savage Tattoo Magazine with permission from Jinxi 1. What was your first tattoo, who did it, what shop (city, state)? My first tattoo was a little cherry on my right ankle, tattooed by Craig Tidwell at Animated Canvas in Riverside, CA 2. How old were you when you got your first tattoo? I started a little later in life than I would have liked to, although I was always SO ENAMORED with tattooed people and always wanted them myself .... but I was 29 years old when I got my first little cherry. |
When I was about 11 years old, I saw a girl at Disneyland with a Cheshire Cat tattoo on her back shoulder. I thought it was the DREAMIEST thing I had ever seen. I went up to her and told her that she was the THE coolest! From that day on, I wanted them myself. I enjoy artwork in all forms and I think tattoo artists have the most beautiful canvases to work on of all ... so I really appreciate getting to collect those pieces of art on my own skin. It's a fascinating process that amazes & delights me to watch come to life.
4. Do you have any family members with them?
Yes, my husband has full-sleeves and various other pieces on his body. I also have a brother that has been getting inked more recently & a sister with a few of her own.
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5. What does your family think of them?
My husband and children love them! My kids get excited when I am planning new projects and are always really cute about my "tattoo days." They love to show off my new ink to their friends. It's really cool, because I know I look different than a lot of moms... so having them appreciate it and enjoy it with me, means a lot! 6. Do you have a theme to your collection? If so, how did you decide on it? I have a few different themes going on in different areas. My entire right arm is "underwater." It includes: 3 mermaids, seahorses, jellyfish, oysters, starfish, crabs, scub diving girls - with their scuba diving kitty cats, fish, kelp, a treasure chest... and even Spongebob! This arm is topped off with one of my favorite tattoos, inked by Mike DeVries (www.mdtattoos) of a huge octopus that starts on my throat and wraps his pretty tentacles all the way around my chest and down to the underwater sleeve. |
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My left arm sleeve is all Japanese pin-up girls (except for a mermaid at the very top). The Japanese girls include some of my favorite singers from Japan, as well as many AV Idols (Japanese porn stars) and are surrounded by Kanji and lots of sticky sweet candies.
My back piece (in progress by the fabulous Paula Higgins-Clark from Ground Zero Tattoo in Haledon, NJ) is all Alice in Wonderland themed. It includes: Alice, the Cheshire Cat, the Walrus, the Carpenter, Oyster Babies, teacups, the Caterpillar, the Dormouse, the Queens crest and lots of other fun Wonderland goodies.
My left leg is also in progress and is a dedication to strong women that have inspired me. Mike DeVries (www.mdtattoos) has tattooed a portrait of Gwen Stefani on that leg, a portrait of Cyndi Lauper, a portrait of Bjork and we are just about to start on a portrait of Madonna using a rad image of her from the 80s.
7. How do you come up with the ideas for your pieces?
I like to collect pretty artwork of the things I love. Some of those things include sea creatures, music (I have 2 lyrics tattooed - one from The Murmurs & one from a Tegan & Sara song), lots of candy, Alice in Wonderland, fetish-based themes ... and especially GIRLS!! I love the creative process of collaborating with the artists and telling them ideas of what I am hoping to capture and entrusting them to help me with the design of it all. It's such a fun process from the initial concept - to the day we finish a project - I just love it all!
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8. What is your favorite tattoo so far, and why?
I think the Octopus on my throat by Mike DeVries (www.mdtattoos) might be my favorite. It is front & center on my body and it was such an enjoyable project all the way around. It took 26 hours to complete (6 session) and the challenge to put a beautiful piece right in that spot was incredible to see come to life. Mike was so dilligent and creative with the whole project and each session made this creature really become more & more lifelike. It was also a challenging spot with pain tolerance and I enjoyed that challenge and it made me excited to tackle other tough areas. **I also love an Indiana Jones Decoder Text piece on my wrist that says, "I love Steve" in Indy decoder symbols... because it's my lovey-dovey love piece for my husband, Steve =) |
My newest piece is my Bjork portrait. And we will be starting on the Madonna portrait this week. I plan on continuing to collect until every spot of skin is filled up (except my face - but that might change too when I get to that point)!
10. Please go through your main pieces, where they are on your body, who did them, what shop (city, state), and the meaning behind any of them you'd like to share:
A lot of this I covered above when I went thru the different "themes" -- but a little re-cap of some of those:
- Right Arm: All underwater creatures tattooed by Craig Tidwell at Animated Canvas in Riverside, CA. Touch-ups a few years later by Marco Polo, at Tried & True Tattoo in Moreno Valley, CA. Spongebob on that arm by Nate McManus at Mission Tattoo in Riverside, CA..
- Left Arm sleeve: Mermaid at top by Craig Tidwell. All of the rest of that arm & top of that hand/pin-up portraits by Nate McManus at Mission Tattoo in Riverside, CA .
- Left Leg: Gwen Stefani portrait by Mike DeVries at www.mdtattoos.com in Encino, CA. Rion Vernon "Rubbermaid" piece on lower leg by Craig Tidwell.
- Right Leg: Cherry tattoo by Craig Tidwell. Fetish art piece of Julian Murphy 2 Girls in Shoe tattooed by Cathy Hennessey at Mission Tattoo, Riverside, CA.
- Throat/Chest: Realistic Octopus piece - by Mike DeVries at www.mdtattoos.com in Encino, CA
- Stomach: Lyrics on stomach by Cathy Hennessey. Kitty Pop Cartoon Cat superhero by Craig Tidwell. Kozik blue SnazzCat by Craig Tidwell.
- Backpiece: Alice in Wonderland by Paula Higgins-Clark at Ground Zero Tattoo in Haledon, NJ
- Right side of my head/skull: - spooky bride girl = Marco Polo at Tried & True Tattoo in Moreno Valley, CA
- various older tattoos (before the Alice centerpiece) on upper & lower back (Tiki & Pin-Up Hula Girl on top shoulder blade + The Pizz 3 Tikis on lower back = Craig Tidwell)
- Sides of my neck: Right side = Maneki Neko (Japanese Lucky Cat), Left Side = Anime girl with gun... both pieces by Nate McManus.
- Ring Finger: (wedding ring tattoo that matches my husband) = Craig Tidwell, Middle Finger and thumb tattoos = Nate McManus
- FU inside pink heart tattoo on right hand = Craig Tidwell
- Small heart on back of my head/skull = Craig Tidwell
- Lamba symbol on the back of my head/skull = Paula Higgins-Clark
- Black Triangle on inner left wrist = Cathy Hennessey
- Indiana Jones Decoder text (I love Steve) = Nate McManus
- FREETHINKER on left shoulder (inspired by my appearance on the TV Show, "Wife Swap" especially for the "swap husband" I had to live with... after he condescendingly referred to being a "freethinker" as a bad thing all 2 weeks I was there -I decided to put it permanently on me to show him that it was a POSITIVE thing! I also have an Atheist Atom on the same shoulder
- the word "ACKNOWLEDGE" across my right shoulder -to honor one of my favorite song ever... Screeching Weasel's song, "Acknowledge" - the lyrics soooooooo encompass my life
- a Cupcake on my back and the words "CUPCAKE CONTINUUM" next to them - for my art project & website www.CupcakeContinuum.com
- my kids names: Brynn, Shea, Aidan on my back
- a penguin holding a balloon that says "STEVE" inside of it on my back
- a panda with a pink C heart in the center, for my wifey, Camryn
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11. Do you like to stick to one artist, or try a
number of different ones?
I have been to many artists - but when I find someone I am comfortable with and understands my style .... I tend to stick with them for long periods. I have been going to Mike DeVries for the last year and am crazy about his work - so I'll probably have him do a LOT more for me! I also loave Nate McManus' inkin' skills and have done many projects with him and have a few in the works right now. And Paula Higgins-Clark is also working on my Alice in Wonderland backpiece, whenever she is in California. 12. What do you do for a living? I have owned my own business www.MermaidInk.com for the last 9 years. I sell all kinds of collectibles, pin up art, lowbrow art, buttons, pins, stickers, patches, jewelry, etc. online... so check out my goodies! |
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When I was getting the side of my head tattooed, I had just had my ear pierced with an Industrial piercing and my artist (Marco Polo) didn't realize how tender it was and kept bumping it... I tend to not complain and really didn't want to... but I finally told him that each bump was killing me, which he promptly changed and switched angles where he was resting his hand. Also, when I was getting my lower pelvic region tattooed with this cute kitty cat superhero girl (Kitty Pop) I seemed to enjoy the buzzing vibrations of the tattoo machine a little too much. We have a totally funny picture of me, that I did not realize at the time, capturing the moment (oops!)
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14. What do you like to do in your free time?
Spend time with my fabulous husband, Steve, and our 3 amazing kids. CELEBRATING INDIVIDUALITY by working on my art project - the Cupcake Continuum (www.CupcakeContinuum.com) where each participant expresses their own "special something" through their interpretation of their cupcake. check it out and join us!! I also love drawing, painting, writing collecting knee-sox, quotes & cupcakes, photography, going to art shows/galleries, spending time on myspace with my coolio friends there (myspace page = www.JinxiBoo.com) and OF COURSE... getting tattooed!!! |
Please take a moment to visit The Cupcake Continuum and tell Jinxi how much you enjoyed her interview!
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