Miss
Juliet
Giulia Frederica Chen, aka Miss Juliet, is a mother, jiu jitsu blue belt and tattoo artist based in New York City. Her delicate yet powerful illustrations feature detailed lines and reflect a deep, evolving creativity. Taking the Covid quarantine day by day, Miss Juliet has slowed down her fast-moving life to spend time with family, reflect on the Black Lives Matter movement and immerse herself in the wonder of NYC.
Activating another wheel of consciousness
Tattoo Artist
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Portrait of Miss Juliet
Photo: Verena Frye
Tell us a bit about yourself
24 JUN 2020 My name is Giulia Frederica Chen. I was born in the USA but I grew up in Europe and I've been traveling full time till 2017, when I decided to move back to the USA. After a couple years in California we settled down in Brooklyn, NY at the beginning of 2020.
I’m a tattoo artist, a mom, a wife and I do jiu jitsu. I’m a very active person, taking care of a little one, painting all day, training at 7am, traveling with my husband—yes, I have a pretty crazy life.
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Getting ready to tattoo an astronaut lady
Photo: Spencer Tuck
How have the last few weeks or months shaped or impacted your practice?
I feel that Covid-19 changed the way we see life and changed our priorities. I grew up in Europe, so I have a completely different work ethic, but I feel that for most Americans this long “time-out” made them change their vision on their life, and they start questioning themselves. Do I really need to work this hard? If I can survive with less, why am I living in a chaotic city? Should I reconcile with nature? Yes, big changes ahead for a lot of Americans, I feel.
Also BLM activated a wheel that I wish had been activated when I was a kid. I’m a mixed person—I’m half Chinese/American and half Italian. I’ve been through a lot of horrible racism, so I have always been very involved and interested about mixed children. I have started to have conversations about daily micro racism, and the first step is talk with the people that you have around you, family and friends, clients and co-workers. This activated another wheel—the wheel of consciousness.
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Parisian-inspired
woman sleeve tattoo
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Snake tattoo on the shin
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Woman in kimono
sleeve tattoo
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Full color tiger back
piece tattoo
I decided to dedicate more time to my family. To my daughter.”
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Painting of a snake lady,
combining two of Miss Juliet's
favorite subject matters into
one beautiful creature
How are you coping at home?
So I was extremely productive in the first 2 months, but honestly is not easy with a toddler in full power running all over the house. I decided to dedicate more time to my family, to my daughter. I decided to stop being so hard on myself and try to just enjoy every day with them.
Daily Skype and Facetimes with my in-laws in Spain and friends all-over the globe have kept my days up.
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Snapshot of a page from
Miss Juliet's sketch book
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One of many nurse-inspired
paintings done during quarantine
What has inspired you recently?
Lately I've been very inspired by nature and the city that surrounds me. NYC, no matter what, always has an incredible vibe and story. It is full of colors and sounds. I feel very lucky to be here.
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A commissioned
snake and peony panting
What are you looking forward to?
To go back to tattooing. To go back and step on the mat and work for my purple belt. I’m looking forward to seeing my family again. To go back to Japan to hike. To take Sophia to Maiorca in Spain. I have a very long list ;)
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Exploring the beauty of
nature in Joshua Tree
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Completed back piece tattoo
with intricate details and adornments
How can people support you?
They can follow me on Instagram: @M1ss_juliet.
I will have my online shop ready for the end of July <3
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Miss Juliet in the studio
Photo: Elvia Iannaccone Gezlev