EXPERIENCE: 3 years
SPECIALTY: illustrative, graphic, bold, colorful, traditional/neo-traditional, dramatic line weight variation, high contrast,
smooth black and grey,
stippling, memorial pieces
INTERESTS: animals, live comedy, dining out, true crime, music, concerts
SOCIAL:
Shylan "Chia Chai" Vance
I was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado. Being a creative my entire life, made attending the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design a no brainer. My BFA in Illustration provided me knowledge and technique in addition to learning just how artists are so impactful on the world. I knew on a soul level, I needed to be part of that.
I have a unique background aside from being a creative. Before I entered the tattoo industry I was a Product and System Admin. I worked in the tech industry for 6 years before realizing cooperate life was not for me. It’s when I remembered words spoken from my RMCAD department chair, to be a risk taker and to trust myself more. Naturally, I decided to take the biggest and scariest leap of my life; pursuing a career as an artist. This is when I met Serina, who offered me an apprenticeship but really it was just a door to a dream life. I never could have imagined a career bringing me wholeness.
My clients are my everything. They live with the work, but they live with the experience. I do my best to honor this craft. More importantly, to honor my clients, their ideas, a safe space, have a laugh, and to create something to last a life time, on skin and fond memory.
Chia Chai's Work
This tattoo features a vibrant, mythical creature reminiscent of a Chinese guardian lion or "foo dog." The design is bursting with color, primarily showcasing bold greens, fiery oranges, and yellows.
This tattoo features a stylized bird, likely a swallow, with a striking mix of vibrant colors and bold lines. The bird is depicted mid-flight, with wings spread wide and detailed in shades of teal, pink, and purple.
This tattoo features a bold and stylized depiction of a bird's skull, elongated and detailed with intricate line work. The skull is primarily shaded in dark tones, giving it a striking contrast against the vibrant blue ornamental patterns that flow around and through it.
This tattoo features a circular design with a vivid and dynamic depiction of a wave crashing against a backdrop of a setting or rising sun. The sun radiates warm hues of red, orange, and yellow, creating a striking contrast with the cool blues and deep indigos of the wave.
This tattoo features a beautifully detailed moth as its centerpiece, surrounded by an arrangement of flowers and leaves. The moth's wings are intricately shaded, creating a delicate yet bold contrast against the surrounding floral elements.
This tattoo features a powerful and dynamic depiction of a phoenix rising. The bird's wings are spread wide, showcasing detailed feather work, and its body is surrounded by swirling flames and smoke, symbolizing rebirth and transformation.