Today we're going to talk with Jari Kajaste, a tattoo artist from Helsinki, Finland, owner of Kajaste Art tattoo studio. He's also working as guest spot tattoo artist at Tattoostudio Nadelwerk/Austria - Dr. Kossstrasse 7 / 4600 Wels, Austria

Hello Jari Kajaste! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions for our magazine.
In the very beginning, let's start with some basic info...

Q: What made you to become a tattoo artist?
A: I became a tattoo artist by acting on an impulse basically, it really wasn’t something I had planned or always wanted to be even I’ve always liked to draw and airbrush paint. Of course now after almost twenty years I never could image doing anything else!

Q: Seriously, you're one of my favorite Finish artists! You're very talented. How has your style developed throughout the years of experience?
A: Well thank you very much, that is very flattering to hear! I think my present style evolved to what it is now because of my strive to learn and to challenge myself, but also because of the demand of people. Realism came to me almost by itself, it was just a very natural way for me to go since I’ve always been interested in and inspired by nature and photography.

Q: Tell me about the creative part of tattooing.
A: I do nearly all designs in my head when I have the first meeting with my client. When they tell me their ideas, I almost instantly get an image on my mind of what the final tattoo should look like. I usually draw designs on paper, just search for some reference photos and then sum everything up by stencils straight on to the client’s skin. However lately I have done some digital designing also and am hoping to get more into that when I have the time.

Q: So other art mediums are also a great inspiration? ;)
A: Definitely, everything from pencil drawing and oil painting to photography are all great sours of inspiration for me.

Q: What's the trick when it comes to progress?
A: I believe that a tattoo artist should continue improving and learning throughout their entire career, because to be honest, every artist has still room to improve their techniques and/or designs no matter how good or experienced their are. When you stop progressing you’ll start regressing, or at least that’s how I see it.

- What push you forward every day?
I really love what I do, and the will to create something as close to perfection as possible pushes me forward every day. Also when seeing great works from other artists inspires me a great deal to push even further.

Q: How is tattoo art accepted in Helsinki, Finland?
A: Nowadays tattoos are well accepted here in Helsinki, and you can see people with visible (even hand or neck) tattoos working as a clerk, nurse, or even a police officer. People are also starting to appreciate a lot more the art of tattooing and are choosing their artists more carefully than a few years back.

Nice to hear that there are tattooed police officers with tattoos :D

Q: Do you also work as a guest spot artist?
A: Still this year I will be doing a guest spot (at least) in the following studios;

Nadelwerk Tattoo Studio in Austria- Dr. Kossstrasse 7 / 4600 Wels, Austria
Check out our Facebook Page - Tattoostudio Nadelwerk
Giahi’s Pure Precision Ink in Switzerland
Classic Ink & Mods in The Netherlands

Q: After all those years of tattooing, do you still have any "dream" piece that is still undone?
A: I have been lucky enough to do many of my favorite images/motives during the years and I can’t say that I’d have one specific piece that I had not gotten to do. You could say that all photograph based, nature -motives are the ones I enjoy doing the most so I’d say they’re all my ”dream” pieces that I’d still love to do.

Q: Do you feel overwhelmed of the busy schedule at times?
A: I do, from time to time I feel a bit overwhelmed by the hectic schedule of conventions, guest spots, and taking care of our studio, but most of the time it’s just a good feeling to have lots going on and plenty of clients wanting to get tattooed. Luckily I tend to have great clients, and a very few crazy ones (haha). I think it’s because my clients and their unique ideas and personalities and of course the great colleagues I get the chance to work with that keep me highly motivated year in year out.

I usually tend to keep my waiting times as sort as possible, and book myself for only a few months on, so usually an appointment for me can be made for within three to four months or quicker. If my calendar starts to look too full, I’ll just close it for a month or two, and start taking booking again when the waiting time is reasonable. Anybody wanting to get tattooed at my studio in Helsinki or at guest spot or a convention can contact me at: studio@kajasteart.fi

Q: In a few words, what are the most important things that every single artist should know in order to become successful and respected?
A: I think every single artist should know that gaining respect and success, as well as technical skills and experience, takes a lot of time, and needs a great deal of patience and practice.

Please feel free to share your contact info
Kajaste Art
custom tattoo studio
Bulevardi 12 E, 00120 Helsinki FINLAND
+358400539550 / studio@kajasteart.fi
www.kajasteart.com
www.facebook.com/kajasteart

Tattoostudio Nadelwerk/Austria
Dr. Kossstrasse 7 / 4600 Wels, Austria
Check out our Facebook Page - Tattoostudio Nadelwerk