Zodiac Killer Face Tattoos & Tattooing As Therapy - Face Tattoo Talks 12 - Jai Shelby

In this episode of Face Tattoo Talks, I sit down with Jai to discuss his journey into tattoos, the meaning behind his face tattoos, and the role body art has played in his life. From experimenting with tattoos as a young teen to covering his skin with meaningful ink, Jai shares his experiences, challenges, and the personal significance behind his bold choices.

We explore the reactions he’s received from family, friends, and society, his fascination with true crime and the Zodiac Killer, and how tattoos became an important part of his self-expression. Jai also reflects on how getting tattooed helped him navigate personal struggles, including his transitioning journey, and why tattoos have been more than just art for him.

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:28 - Please Introduce Yourself
1:49 - How Did You Get Into the World of Tattooing?
2:46 - How Old Were You When You Got Your First Face Tattoo?
3:23 - Tell Me a Bit About the Meaning Behind Your Face Tattoos
4:36 - What Was Your Motivation for Getting Your Face Tattooed So Early in Life?
8:14 - Any Future Tattoo Plans?
9:22 - What Are Some of the Serial Killers You’re Most Interested In?
10:07 - How Did Your Environment React to You Getting Tattooed at Such a Young Age?
11:55 - What Are Some People That You Look Up to in Life?
13:03 - What’s the Most Recent Tattoo That You’ve Gotten?
14:18 - What Advice Would You Give to Someone Struggling with Their Gender Identity?
15:20 - What Are Some People That Supported You the Most During Your Transition?


Inside the Interview:
Early Tattoos & Experimenting on Himself
Jai began experimenting with tattoos on himself when he was 13, turning 14. His first tattoo was a small "X" and a question mark on his hand, done alone in his grandmother’s kitchen. From there, he quickly continued adding more tattoos, often getting multiple pieces in a single sitting.

Face Tattoos & Personal Meaning
By 16, Jai had already started tattooing his face. He describes how his face tattoos progressed, how each one led to another, and how he embraced visible ink at a young age. He shares what these tattoos mean to him and how they became a natural part of his evolving identity.

The Meaning Behind His Zodiac Killer Tattoos
Jai has a deep fascination with true crime and serial killers, particularly the Zodiac Killer. He recalls how he first became interested in the case after watching Zodiac as a child, which led him to research the cryptic ciphers and letters. His face tattoos include elements from the Zodiac’s coded messages and signature, often leading to misunderstandings about their meaning.

Tattoos as a Form of Self-Expression & Personal Therapy
For Jai, tattoos became a way to externalize emotions and experiences he found difficult to express in words. He reflects on how tattooing played a role during challenging periods in his life, particularly while navigating his transition. Rather than being just an aesthetic choice, his ink serves as a personal timeline of his journey and struggles.

How Family & Society Reacted to His Tattoos
Jai opens up about the mixed reactions he received from those around him.

School, Dropping Out & The Reality of Being Tattooed Young
Jai left school early, partially due to rules requiring him to remove his piercings. Faced with the idea of staying in school under strict appearance regulations, he decided to drop out instead. He shares his thoughts on education, working without a degree, and how he found his own way outside of traditional paths.

Future Tattoo Plans & The Red Dragon Backpiece
One of Jai’s dream tattoos is The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with the Sun, a painting by William Blake that was famously referenced in Red Dragon. He has been planning this backpiece for years and explains why the artwork resonates with him. The only requirement? It needs to be really black.

Why Watch?
This episode offers an in-depth look at the experiences of a heavily tattooed individual, exploring themes of self-expression, societal perception, and the deeply personal meaning behind body art. Whether you're curious about the stories behind face tattoos, interested in true crime symbolism in tattoos, or just fascinated by the journey of a heavily tattooed person, this conversation provides an unfiltered and honest perspective.

Engage with Us:
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and Comment your thoughts. What are your views on face tattoos? Have any questions for Jai? Let’s discuss in the comments!

Tags:
#TattooArtist #FaceTattoo #FaceTattoos #Jobstoppers #HeavilyTattooed #Tattooer #TattooCommunity #SelfExpression #TrueCrimeTattoos #ZodiacKiller #ZodiacCipher #DarkTattoos #TattooStories #BlackworkTattoos #RedDragonTattoo #BodyArt #TattooInterview #TattooCulture #FaceTattooTalks #WilliamBlake #TrueCrime #SerialKillers #ZodiacKillerTattoo