A conversation with Jay Rose, new interviews every Monday.

Technically you’re new to tattooing but you’ve been designing tattoos for a long time. I remember you posting and selling illustrations online long before you got your apprenticeship, has illustration always been an adventure you wanted to pursue? 

I knew from a young age I was only ever going to end up in a creative career of some sort. As I got older and became interested in tattoo's I knew it was the career I wanted to pursue. I also studied and love graphic design, so I think if I wasn't tattooing I'd probably be doing something along those lines.

Was tattooing something you had always had in mind when you were illustrating or did the opportunity just arise to learn?

I was always interested in illustrating from a young age, but my style really developed as I became interested in tattoos, so I'd say majority of my designs were drawn with the intent to be tattooed. I always had tattooing as the end goal in my mind, but I honestly never thought it would happen as I knew how hard it was to get in to, so I feel so lucky now. 

What do you draw inspiration from? Do you have a fine art background? E.g university etc?

I studied Art at school and went on to study Graphic Design, Photography and Textiles at college. It was during my art classes at school that I found Frida Kahlo's work, which was and still is a massive inspiration to me. I love the darkness and depth to her work so much. I draw inspiration from all around me. Growing up and living in Brighton I feel like there's inspiration wherever you turn, from the people to the buildings, there's always so much going on around you.

How has the transition been learning to tattoo? I remember the hardest thing I had to get used to was depth and the weight of my coil machine. I was taught an old trick of stabbing an orange or lemon on the end of my pencil to mimic the weight, you look like a right idiot but I must admit it did help! 

It was definitely a really daunting transition for me, I don't think anything can prepare you for how different it is to drawing! My first few tattoos were done on grapefruits (not great when you press too hard and squirt yourself in the eye). I feel like that helped me massively as it helped me get used to holding and setting up the machine, as well as adjusting to the weight and vibrations of it. 

You have the benefit of being able to work alongside your apprenticeship due to the self employed/freelance work that you do. How are you finding the balance to create content whilst also working to forward your career in tattooing?

I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to continue my social media work alongside tattooing as it gives me so many ways to be creative. It can be difficult to balance both jobs, but I love them both equally so I've always managed to make it work. I try to manage my time as well as possible and check things off a list as a go so I keep on top of things. I think I just enjoy being really busy all the time!

Obviously you had a large audience from your other job before you learnt to tattoo so in some degree you gained pretty instant exposure simply from your presence online. Do you feel like it’s made you work harder to prove yourself to other tattooers?

In a way, yes. I'm so lucky to have the audience that I have and its been so nice being able to meet and tattoo so many people who have followed me for a while. I think a lot of tattoo artists would probably be quite confused by me as I didn't have the 'traditional' way in, however I think I'm part of the next generation of artists, who have been able to make a platform for themselves to better their careers. 

That being said, do you see yourself ever only tattooing or do you think you will keep up the balance for as long as you can?

I'm really happy with the balance I have at the moment, but I like to keep things fresh and to be constantly moving. I'm really enjoying the cross over of the two at the moment, as the interest for my tattooing has grown on my instagram, I'm able to create content around the tattoos I create - which is so fun. Eventually I'd like to slow down and just tattoo, but for the mean time I love doing both.

You created a line on temporary tattoos with the gypsy shrine, how did that opportunity come about?

That was so fun and such a nice memory to look back on. I think they'd seen some of my designs and approached me about collaborating, it was really crazy at the time as it was the first time I'd been approached by a big brand for my designs. I was really excited about the idea of creating temporary tattoos, I have such happy memories of them when I was little, so it was so cool to make some updated versions. 

You have some amazing work on your own body, do you see your pieces coming together as a coherent whole or more as a collection of artists work?

Thank you! I definitely see them more as a whole now than I did at the start, I think I just wanted to be tattooed so badly that I didn't really take much time to think about what I'd want next. I've unintentionally ended up with a collection of tattoos done by women I really respect and look up to in Brighton, which makes me love the work I have even more. 

Is there anyone in particular you’re really wanting to get tattooed by at the moment?

So many! I wish I had more arms and legs. I love @smick_tattooer so much, I really want one of his beautiful butterflies. I also really want something by @loz_tattooer her style is so sick and unique. 

Who do you feel has been the most influential to you in tattooing? Be that physically knowing and learning from them or simply through their own art?

Gully (@gullivertattoos) taught me to tattoo and I owe him everything. He's created the most amazing, supportive environment at Top Boy. I'm so inspired by the artists I work with, they're so talented and supportive of one another which is so refreshing to be around. I feel really lucky to get to work with the people I do. 

You’re pretty open about mental health and needing to take time to look after yourself, as creatives it’s very easy to burn the candle at both ends. What do you feel really helps you when you’re not feeling creative?

I've definitely had to teach myself to take time off. I found lockdown really beneficial in teaching me to have days off without feeling guilty. I feel like there's always something I could be drawing or filming so I find it almost impossible to switch off and enjoy a day of doing nothing. I really enjoy my job so even when I burn myself out I'm still really excited by being busy. I guess its a blessing and a curse to never be able to slow down.