Artist Series : Jeykill
Tattoos always fascinated me.
I remember when I was a child, we used to make ourselves temporary tattoos that we got for free from a famous brand of chewing gum.
Since then, my hairs have grown and we went down to the serious business. We now all have our tattoos story. Not very long ago, a good friend told me: “Don’t drink too much the night before or you’ll be bleeding.”
I even know a guy who’s a real specialist: Jeykill, one of the creators of BLEU NOIR (25 rue Durantin – Paris 18) with whom we collaborated for the collection “Memories Remain”
Hello Jeykill, you told me you going for about two weeks…Vacations?
Yes, I am going for 15 days to relax because I work a lot currently.
Can you explain us why did you start drawing tattoos?
I always wanted to turn drawing into a job. In 1993 I entered the school of design. Then I met the group of artists named 9ème concept and I had the opportunity to work with them on several commercial and artistic projects. In 2000 I got interested in tattoos because the technique really impressed me. Thanks to Jerk 45 (one my friends from 9ème concept) met a tattooist who teached me the basics of technique and hygiene. After that, I practiced on several friends during a long time. I was more a hobby than a professional activity like drawing or design could have been. For me it was a new artistic media, but the “medium” had an opinion and desires, which is one the biggest constraints.
I knew I wanted to become a tattooist when I realized that minds where changing. Thanks to the transgressive work of Yann Black for example, who created new approach of tattooing, people had new desires besides traditional tattoos.
I decided to visit different tattoo shops in Paris with my book and nobody was interested in my work.
I finally proposed to Veenom, who had an interest in tattoo education, to work with me to create Bleu Noir.
How would you define your style, your universe?
I hate this question! Even if it is a logical one.
I’d say that it’s those who speak the least who do the most.
An arm, which is almost done. Full of designs. It is abstract, graphical and ergonomic.
It’s been a long time that you and Veenom (your partner) work together, how did you met?
We know each other since 2001 when he joined 9éme Concept.
After that we collaborated on different projects, one for the brand Edwin for example. We then realized that we complement each other.
Even if I have a pretty radical opinion about that, what do you think about online shops that sell cheap temporary tattoos?
I think they should go on if it works!
What about music?
My actual top 5 is: alt-J, the drums, Action Branson, The mad caps, Top Drawer.
We worked on 3 designs together for the spring-summer collection. Can you tell me more about one of these at least…
I love the “trust me” design. I had fun with the mystical character of it and the rite of initiation of tattoos.
The message is simple: I am the guy who will engrave your skin for the rest of your life. If you’re not ready to trust me, then find someone else.
Any exhibition at Bleu Noir at the moment?
Franck Pellegrino until the 12 of March. After that, we’ll have Doberman from the studio LVL, vernissage the 14th of March 2013.
What are your projects for 2013?
I’d love to work on my own exhibition.
Bleu Noir Les Abbesses Paris from Raphaël Hache on Vimeo.
http://bleunoirtattoo.com/tag/jeykill/
