Discussing the Art of Body Modification with Artist Yanna Forest

How would you describe your brand for those who are not already familiar with you?

Well, Forest Ink Tattoos is a tattoo business based in Rochester, NY, providing dope service and great tattoos. My name is Yanna Forest, I’m the owner and tattoo artist at Forest Ink Tattoo studio. I tattoo, paint , sculpt, build, destroy, and create. I’m a creator. I live and breathe this thing called art, if anyone knows me I hope the first thought of me that comes to mind is the word, artist,whether it be through tattooing, music, graphic design, or painting. I’m the one stop shop when it comes to anything art related.

 

When did you discover that you had a passion for graphics/artwork? What inspired you to become a tattoo artist?

I discovered I had a passion for art as a kid. My father was an artist, all of my siblings are artistic or creative in someway, so Ive always been inspired to create. It’s always been an outlet for me to express myself as well so without it I don’t know where I’d be or what I’d be doing right now. But, getting out of my mother’s house and aspiring to be my own boss and make money doing what I love to do inspired me to become a tattoo artist.

 

Those who have received body modification experienced prejudice and stigma from western society in the past. As times have changed, so is the overall perception of tattoo acceptance. Although there has been progression concerning this topic, do you feel there are still misconceptions about body modification, and what do you think those misconceptions are?

Times has changed tremendously with both tattoos and body modification and I think it’ll continue to change. I think society is more diverse these days and is becoming more accepting of it because it’s become the norm. Of course there’s still misconceptions about both art forms, but I think the pros outweigh the cons, and I’m here for it.

 

Although there have been breakthrough talents such as yourself emerging in this field and redefining the way people see tattoo artists, it still appears to be a male-dominated tattoo industry. Have you ever experienced any prejudice or gatekeeping because you are a woman or someone of color? If so, how did you respond to that negativity?

Of course, I’ve had my share of racist encounters but it was never in a gatekeeping or direct racist type of way, usually just the ‘ n’ word being used but I haven’t had that issue in awhile. I think everyone I’ve come across respects me more because I’m holding my own as a black lesbian, in a white male dominated industry.

(Yanna Forest with Ink Master’s Artist “Cleen Rock One”) 

 

The art of body modification has a fascinating history, with many indigenous cultures using markings/ tattoos for spiritual, religious, and tribal reasons. To hold the title of a marker (tattoo artist) was very prestigious, and one had to train for years to initiate into that science. As a practitioner of that art form, do you feel that your work restores a lost connection with those who held that sanctioned title? If so, why?

Yes, I think learning the art of tattoo definitely takes time, and I feel like I’ve put the time, effort ,and work in to sit with that title.
I think people reach out to me for my work because they usually like what they see from previous tattoos, and it resonates with them whether it be on a soul level or because they like my style of work. One things for sure, I try to inspire and connect with each client on a soul level(unless they don’t want to) during conversation in most sessions. I like to be that light of the day to those who bless the chair/table.

 

Tattoos can be a very intimate experience for the person receiving the ink and the one giving it because of the energy transfer of touching another body. Have you ever had an experience of someone that you are working on harboring negative energy that affected your mood? What is your technique for dealing with those people who may be energetically draining in a session while remaining professional?

I normally don’t tattoo people I get a bad vibe from but a few bad apples slipped through my fingers. In sessions like those, I normally just turn the music up, vibe out and tattoo. Or I try figure out why their energy is off, then help them see, but in most cases I just turn the music up.

 

What is your method to cleanse your energy off after a session so you do not take a client’s energy with you into your personal life?

I normally ‘roll one’ afterwards, or close up shop and burn a little sage or palo santo,or I’ll I take a salt bath to cleanse my energy. If it’s been an extremely hectic session, I ‘roll one’, light sage or palo santo, and take a salt bath!

If you had a piece of advice or guidance for any young women thinking of becoming an artist, what would you tell them?

I’d say learn as much as you can ,find people who’s comfortable with letting you tattoo them after practicing on fruit. Practice PRACTICE PRACTICE, and find a shop thatswilling to take a chance on you, and get BETTER. Tattooing is fun and definitely worth the time you invest into it. Dedication, consistency,persistency, and self discipline to keep going are the main components needed to be successful in this field, with those things, you can’t lose. & I wish nothing but success to those who wish to dive into this field, definitely not for the faint hearted though.

 

Do you have any future business plans you are working on that you would like to share?

For sure! I definitely plan to bang out as many tattoo conventions as I can, continue to build my brand as many ways as I can & tattoo as many people as I can. The motto is ‘ I can’ because I will!

If you would like to connect with Yanna Forest for her services you can visit her website www.forestinkllc.com

Follow her social media at:

www.instagram.com/YannaForestTattoos  

www.instagram.com/forestinkllc

www.twitter.com/yannaforest  

TikTok: @yannaforest    

Snapchat: @ursuckingpg 

www.youtube.com/yannaforest