Tattooist Jayson pursuing childhood passion

By ROBERTLYN KIG
WHILE still in high school, Jayson Kliki, started putting together a plan to pursue something he wanted to do later in life – to become a professional tattooist – after being inspired by the American drama series Prison Break.
“The drama series was based on his (main actor’s) tattoos and the prison, which sparked my interest in doing actual tattoos and tattoo designs.”
While in Grade 12 at Lae Secondary School, Jayson befriended on Facebook a former soldier in Afghanistan living in Germany. He sent Jayson two factory-made tattoo machines in 2013.
Now Jayson, after 10 years of running around trying to establish his small business, has opened his own tattoo studio at the Unity Mall in Port Moresby.
Jayson hails from East and West Sepik but was born and raised in Madang. His parents work at the Modilon General Hospital. His mother is the hospital seamstress and dad is a driver. Jayson is the third eldest in a family of six.

“ After Grade 12, I went back to Madang and started following up on my interest in doing tattoos.”

Jayson discovered his love for art in elementary and primary school, displaying his talent in drawing and design on paper, and taking part in every drawing competition. And every time he would leave teachers and classmates in amazement with his work.

In high school, he started drawing fake tattoo designs on his own skin using markers and pen.
While in Grade 10 at Lae Secondary School, he started setting up his home-made tattoo machines, although he wanted factory-made ones to do the job properly. That was when his overseas friend offered to help him.
“After Grade 12, I went back to Madang and started following up on my interest in doing tattoos.”
Jayson remembers his first serious work – tattooing the famous Bible verse Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me) – on his arm.
He was then based on Malabor Street, Newtown, Madang. He also would go to clients’ homes.
After promoting his small business on social media, people from other provinces started contacting him. The first request came from Bulolo where Jayson was provided fare and accommodation by the client. It was also his first business trip.
“I made almost K5,000 on that first business trip. My next trip was to Port Moresby which was also my first time in the capital city.”
He also travelled to Morobe, East Sepik, East New Britain and Northern.
But his friends kept on persisting that he sets up his own tattoo studio.
So after almost 10 years, he managed to open his tattoo studio in Port Moresby, with the slogan: I’ll ink what you think.
The next step is tattooing a face on someone which can be tricky because unlike drawing on paper, he would not be able to instantly erase a mistake. It is ink on the skin which is a one-time permanent thing.
There are three tattoo studios operating in Port Moresby including Jayson’s. He hopes to expand his business depending on the demand.
“My advice to those interested in doing tattoos and design, or anything regarding arts is to start doing it now to show your parents and guardians that you are capable of using your talents and skills in art to take care of yourself.”
Jayson’s other hobbies are photography, videography, drawing and painting, screen printing on shirts, and anything to do with arts and design from manual to digital.
He plans to eventually travel overseas someday to see how tattoo studios operate and learn new things to help him improve his own operation in Port Moresby.
“I study and get my inspiration from tattooists in other countries through their YouTube videos because they are more advanced. It helps me to progress in my work.”
On the importance of tattoos, someone once said: “My body is my journal, and my tattoos are my story.” Part of the reason Jayson is pursuing his passion with zeal.