Where art goes beyond "just tattoo."
About Jing
Jing graduated from Tsinghua University, China's top university, where she majored in fine art.
From a young age, she'd wanted to become a therapist. Alongside her fine art studies in college, she spent years researching art therapy, a branch of psychotherapy that uses the creative process to help people heal.
When Jing graduated around 2012, art therapy was still new in China and there were no jobs in the field. She became a graphic and UX designer instead.
Why we're called Patch Tattoo Therapy
In 2015, alongside her design career, Jing started a free fine art project. It was something for herself, something that gave her a sense of purpose. She called it Patch Tattoo Therapy.
The project was open to anyone who had lived through trauma. People from all over China signed up. They came to Jing, sat with her, and told her their stories. Jing then designed a tattoo for each story.
The idea came from her earlier study of art therapy. Trauma doesn't disappear, but it can be revisited. A wound can be looked at from a new angle, given new meaning, and folded into the larger story of a person's life. Receiving the tattoo, on your own terms, is part of that process. The pain doesn't go away, but it becomes something you've shaped instead of something that only happened to you.
In 2015, Jing began her tattoo apprenticeship so she could carry the project further on her own. At the end of 2016, she opened her first studio on Wuyuan Road in Shanghai, keeping the name Patch Tattoo Therapy. At first it was just a quiet space for this one project.
In 2021, Jing moved to Los Angeles with her husband Kevin. Patch Tattoo Therapy was rebuilt that same year in Tarzana. Same name, same spirit, new home. We've grown into a small team since then. More artists have joined. We hold in-person workshops, train apprentices, and run online courses. We've chosen to stay small and private. We don't promise much, but what we do promise we take seriously.
What makes us different
Culture-focused, story-driven tattoo concepts
Jing grew up in China and brings a lived understanding of Chinese and broader Asian cultures to her work. Our other artists share Asian roots as well: Korean American, Chinese American, and Japanese American. We bring those sensibilities into the work, especially for clients whose stories come from those cultures.
Skill-focused craftsmanship
As an art school graduate, Jing pays close attention to technique. Technique is what gives a tattoo longevity. She knows how poor execution can damage skin in ways that aren't obvious when the tattoo is fresh. Every artist at Patch is rigorously trained in advanced techniques, so your tattoo ages the way it should.
Strict hygiene standards
Your safety isn't negotiable. Our facility, tools, and procedures are reviewed and approved annually by the LA County Health Department, and we pass with a perfect score every year.
Inclusive & welcoming space
Woman-owned. Minority-owned. LGBTQ+ friendly. We've built Patch to be a place where everyone feels seen and at ease.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book a tattoo?+
Here's our booking process:
- Submit your tattoo request at booking.patchtattootherapy.com
- Pay the deposit
- Book a 1-on-1 consultation with your artist (optional)
- Discuss design details with your artist — in consultation or by email
- Schedule your appointment
- Come in and get tattooed on the day of your appointment
This is my first tattoo. How should I prepare?+
Your artist will guide you through the whole process, so don't worry. In the meantime, the most helpful thing you can do is gather visual references — placement, size, elements, styles, anything that speaks to you. The more clearly you can show your artist what you're drawn to, the smoother the design conversation will go.
What does it cost?+
Every artist has their own pricing, deposit, and design process. Visit booking.patchtattootherapy.com to see details for each artist.
Can I bring a friend?+
Yes! That said, we usually ask friends to wait in the lounge area, so our other artists can keep a calm, focused working space.
How do I take care of my tattoo?+
Each artist has slightly different aftercare guidance depending on their style and technique, and your artist will walk you through it once the tattoo is done.
The general rule is to keep your tattoo clean and dry:
- Wash gently with water and mild soap
- Avoid direct sun
- Expect about 3–4 weeks for full healing
Do you do cover-ups?+
It depends on the artist and on what we're working with. Whether an old tattoo or scar can be covered cleanly depends a lot on the existing piece and the style of the artist covering it. Visit booking.patchtattootherapy.com to see which artists take on cover-ups and view their portfolios.
Do you teach tattooing?+
Yes. Jing has run a tattoo apprenticeship program for over 8 years, and the same curriculum is available two ways: as online tattoo courses you can take at your own pace from anywhere, or as in-person tattoo classes in Los Angeles taught at our Tarzana studio.
Ready to start your tattoo?
Whether you have a clear vision or just an idea you can't quite name yet, we'd love to hear about it.
18547½ Ventura Boulevard, Tarzana, CA 91356
By appointment only — 9am to 8pm daily