Yilin Zhu is the founder of Art Spirit Tattoo Studio, which he established in Oak Park in 2021, and also co-owner of its West Town location in Chicago. A Chinese American tattoo artist with a decade-long career, Yilin began his artistic journey learning from his father, which led him to an art high school and an MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago. He transitioned into tattooing in 2014 after years of commissioned art, completing an apprenticeship at Lucky Kat Tat. Yilin is celebrated for his versatility and strong focus on illustrative realism. His extensive specialties include fine line, black and grey realism, color realism, neo-Japanese style, American traditional, New School, script/lettering, ink wash painting, cover-ups, and watercolor. He is passionate about collaborating with clients to create customized tattoos that uniquely blend his artistic vision with their ideas.
