Minneapolis is a city brimming with artistic talent, and when it comes to tattoos, the Twin Cities boasts some exceptional artists. At the forefront of this vibrant scene is Emi Nijiya, the owner of Jackalope Tattoo, a studio making waves in Minneapolis, MN. This Meet the Tattoo Artist feature delves into the world of Emi, exploring her journey, artistic style, and the ethos behind her celebrated tattoo shop, Jackalope Tattoo in Minneapolis.
Emi’s roots are firmly planted in Minnesota. Born and raised in Ham Lake, she’s a true local artist deeply connected to the community. Her path to becoming a tattoo artist wasn’t a straight line, however. Initially, Emi didn’t believe her art was “good enough” for tattooing. Instead, she pursued a piercing apprenticeship, aiming to enter the body modification industry through a different door. In 2010, as another piercing apprenticeship opportunity arose, she shared her excitement with her tattoo artist. His unexpected advice changed the course of her career. He saw her potential and encouraged her to pursue tattooing instead, offering her an apprenticeship. Surprised and thrilled, Emi began her tattoo journey, inking her first tattoo on herself in 2011 and diligently working towards her tattooing license.
Emi Nijiya showcasing her pet portrait tattoo style
Emi Nijiya’s artistic passion leans heavily towards realism and portrait tattoos. Her portfolio showcases a remarkable ability to capture likeness and detail, whether it’s human portraits or beloved pets. While realism and portraits are her specialities at Jackalope Tattoo in Minneapolis, she also enjoys creating geometric designs and is versatile enough to accommodate different styles, especially for her friends and loyal clients. Beyond aesthetics, Emi is deeply passionate about using tattoos for empowerment, focusing on gender affirmation tattoos, 3D nipple tattooing for mastectomy patients, and scar camouflage. These specialized areas reflect her commitment to using tattooing as a transformative and healing art form.
Navigating the tattoo industry hasn’t been without its hurdles. Emi openly shares the challenges she has faced as a gender non-conforming and queer artist. Unfortunately, elements of sexism, racism, transphobia, homophobia, and harassment still persist within the tattoo world. These experiences were significant in shaping her vision for Jackalope Tattoo. She intentionally created her Minneapolis studio to be a safe and inclusive space, particularly for female, transgender, and non-binary tattoo artists and clients. While Emi acknowledges that discriminatory behavior has lessened since she started, she emphasizes there’s still much progress to be made.
Another significant struggle Emi encountered early in her career was the lack of open knowledge-sharing among tattoo artists. She observed a reluctance to share techniques or assist emerging artists. Driven by a different philosophy, Emi fosters a collaborative environment at Jackalope Tattoo. She believes in lifting fellow artists and openly exchanging knowledge to elevate the quality of tattooing as a whole. This spirit of collaboration is a cornerstone of Jackalope Tattoo’s ethos, making it a unique and supportive studio in Minneapolis, MN.
Looking back, Emi identifies several key inspirations that fueled her early career. Firstly, she was inspired by any women succeeding in the tattoo industry, especially in a time when female and LGBTQIA+ representation was scarce locally. Secondly, she sought inspiration from other local tattoo artists, proactively getting tattooed by many to observe their techniques and learn firsthand. Finally, tattoo and art books were invaluable resources. Before social media became the dominant platform for visual inspiration, Emi immersed herself in books by tattoo artists and visited art galleries. She studied flash designs, practiced redrawing them in her style, and analyzed realism paintings to understand color techniques and light sources.
Emi Nijiya working on a detailed tattoo
Today, Emi’s inspirations continue to evolve and expand. Social media, particularly Instagram, has become a powerful tool for discovering and connecting with incredible tattoo artists worldwide. She finds constant motivation in witnessing the innovative work of others, using it as a benchmark to push her own artistic boundaries. Her coworkers at Jackalope Tattoo remain a profound source of inspiration. The diverse skill sets and styles within her team create a rich learning environment. Emi values the daily exchange of knowledge and techniques, contributing significantly to her ongoing growth as an artist. Importantly, Emi remains inspired by her foundational influences – the resilience of women and LGBTQIA+ individuals in the tattoo industry, the local Minneapolis tattoo scene, and the timeless inspiration found in art books and museums. These enduring sources continue to shape her artistic journey at Jackalope Tattoo in Minneapolis.
When asked about tattoos she is particularly proud of, Emi finds it difficult to single out just one. Many pieces hold special meaning for her, especially the gender affirmation and 3D nipple tattoos she creates for the transgender community and mastectomy clients. This work resonates deeply with her, both personally and professionally. As a transgender person who has undergone top surgery, Emi understands the profound impact these tattoos can have on someone’s gender journey. Providing a safe and affirming space for these clients is paramount to her. She is immensely proud to offer a haven at Jackalope Tattoo where fellow community members can feel comfortable and empowered.
Beyond these deeply personal tattoos, Emi expresses great pride in her portrait work, both human and animal. Portraits were her first artistic love, dating back to her early graphite pencil drawings of family, friends, and pets. Mastering the art of translating this passion onto skin has been a rewarding and fulfilling evolution in her career.
Emi Nijiya showcasing a finished tattoo
While Emi’s portfolio is primarily filled with portraits and realism, she recalls one particularly unusual tattoo from her early career – a USDA Prime beef logo placed in a rather unexpected location. This humorous anecdote stands out as an exception in her otherwise portrait-focused work.
Outside of tattooing at Jackalope Tattoo, Emi channels her artistic energy into commissioned paintings, often creating животное portraits. She also has a past life as a drag king, showcasing her creative versatility beyond the tattoo studio. When she’s not inking clients or painting, you can find Emi at home, tending to her garden and enjoying the company of her four cats, dog, and axolotl.
To experience Emi’s artistry firsthand, visit her at Jackalope Tattoo, located at 3753 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis. You can also explore her work and connect with her online through the Jackalope Tattoo website and social media channels. Discover why Jackalope Tattoo in Minneapolis, MN, is becoming a sought-after destination for exceptional and meaningful tattoos.
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