artist in view: jenna coffin
How did you get involved with tattooing and how did you find your personal style of tattooing?
I actually started with PMU for a couple of years and then decided to try to tattoo a small cactus on a friend. I really just loved the whole experience though I will admit it was a pretty janky looking tattoo but I found something that I loved so I kept doing it. It’s truly become a passion for me.
What is the thing you enjoy most in the tattoo industry?
The industry is full of so many beautiful, talented and creative people and I’ve come to have so many amazing friends who I consider family. I think that family feeling and unity that we all share is something quite spectacular. You don’t get that in every industry.
…I found something that I loved so I kept doing it.
Do you have a ritual or specific thing you do every time before you start tattooing?
I don’t actually! I used to just get really nervous and have to calm myself down with some breathing but since I’ve been in mayhem traveling a lot and working at other shops I really just get myself situated and go for it. I may or may not eat candy before I start but shhhh that’s a secret.
What’s something you haven’t done yet but would love to tackle? (Tattoo related)
I haven’t tried a realistic animal yet and that’s something I think I would like to be able to do. I love doing my faces but I would sometimes like to throw a cute animal into the mix. I would also love to try a larger piece like a back piece but all in due time. I am still a tattoo infant.
I love doing my faces but I would sometimes like to throw a cute animal into the mix.
What’s missing in the tattoo industry? What would you like to see change?
Right now, a lot - because of Covid. We are missing all the conventions, gatherings and guest spots we normally do. I think this stuff is very important to network and meet new artists. Right now we are all stuck inside of our shops unable to share inspiration with each other.
Who are your biggest inspirations, or artists you admire and why?
Obviously my husband Jay Freestyle has been a big inspiration to me but I also really love Pirojenkos design style of mixing different things together. I think I get a lot of creative inspiration from her.
If you could be any tattoo artist in the world for a day, who would you be and why, what would you do?
I would be Samohin of course and just absorb all of the technical information I could to bring back with me lol is this possible? Because if you know some magical way to make this happen, I’m in!
Right now we are all stuck inside of our shops unable to share inspiration with each other.
What’s the funniest tattoo related experience you have witnessed or heard of?
Oh my goodness. I had a man ask me over the phone to do a calf tattoo so I booked him in and when he arrived for a pre consult I asked for a photo of the area to design and due to his heavy accent I misunderstood, calf was actually cock so he whipped out his penis and apparently my face turned bright red. Everyone in the shop will never let me live that down.
What is most important for avoiding bad tattoo healing?
The most important part of the healing is to make sure you use premium aftercare products that keep your tattoo dry and free of bacteria. That is why the Tattoo Armour is the best! It sucks up all of the plasma instead of just trapping it against the skin which leaves the tattoo moist and vulnerable to infection.
What’s your favourite tattoo convention(s) and why?
I love almost all the conventions I go to, but I think Milan is probably one of my favourites because of the wide range of talented artists and of course all my friends are there, so it’s super nice to see everyone.
The London tattoo convention is my favourite to attend as a visitor because of the entertainment and high class of artists that work there. I have not been able to participate in the London Convention yet but I would love to in the future.
I love almost all the conventions I go to, but I think Milan is probably one of my favourites …
What’s the one topic or theme of tattoo you get asked the most?
I actually get a pretty wide range of stuff which is rad! I don’t get a lot of repeat themes.
Is there a specific body part you enjoy tattooing and one you really don’t enjoy tattooing, and why?
I love tattooing the outside leg area because it’s flat enough my faces always look great and never warp. I don’t enjoy tattooing the ribs mostly because it’s very painful for my client and I feel super bad. I’m a softie lol.
I’m a softie lol.