We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Fan Wu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Fan, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I think the way I find out my purpose is step by step. First, I’ll make a general direction. Then, at each stage of the work, I like to make a summary, reflecting on my shortcomings and aspirations at this stage. I’ll find out what I want to achieve for the next stage, and keep going. Since things will change all the time, so what I can do is just keep going my way and meet all the changes with constancy.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m an anime tattoo artist in New York City. I’ve been a tattoo artist for 5 years now. I developed a lot in this industry since I met a lots of amazing artists and their story inspired me a lot. I do custom pieces and anime works a lot. The most anime works I do for my clients are: One piece, Naruto, Hunter x Hunter, Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, etc.
I love doing anime works because it filled my childhood, and everyone loves anime, we can not only learn a lot of things from anime world, but also can make us feel the real world.
I love to see people’s ideas and then create a unique design for them, their happy face makes me happy.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
First of all, I think the most important thing is drawing. That’s the basic skill you need for tattooing. Since tattooing is just like you are drawing on skin, so before doing that, you have to practice a lot on fake skin to make the work look smooth. Then, make a good choice of the equipment you use. A good work always relates to the machine that you use. You should find which machine fits you best, a good machine is like your best friend during the work.
Thirdly, I’ll say you should have a strong heart and responsibility. We all make mistakes and we will meet accidents. And the work we do will make a mark which will forever stay on their bodies. So don’t be panic when unexpected things happen. Calm down and find out what you can do, ask for help and try to do the best.
Always put the clients’ feelings first.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
The first few years of starting this job, I always make my schedule so full. I only have one day off, and on that day off, I have to design all the things for the week. But human is not machine, after a period, I feel so stressful and tired. I have no personal life or space, all my life is working and working. It’s harmful for my mental health and physical health, this condition is doing nothing good for my work too. So it’s a really bad circle.
I figure out I need to have some break, I need to have few days off in every week. I have to use one day to completely out of work, only for enjoying my personal life. Since I can get more energy and happy mood, and I can spread the vibe to my work and make my clients happy.
So a combination of work and rest is the best way to our life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Fantattoo531
