From Tattooed Muse to Musical Maestro: An Interview with Eliza Winn

We recently had the pleasure of interviewing the stunning Eliza Winn, an inked model who has graced the pages of MAXIM magazine and acted in music videos for the likes of Avenged Sevenfold and Atmosphere. Eliza’s favorite style of tattooing is traditional Japanese, which she finds to be powerful, beautiful, and timeless. She has been modeling since the age of 15 and got her start when a friend asked her to pose for him. Her photos ended up in a Japanese skateboarding magazine, which caught the attention of a talent scout from Ford Models. In addition to modeling, Eliza is also a classically trained pianist and loves to play music. She has a living room filled with musical instruments and is surrounded by friends who are professional touring musicians. Read on to discover more about Eliza's love for traditional Japanese tattoos, her favorite photoshoots, and her passion for music.

1) Your artist name is Eliza Winn why is that?

That is my first and middle name. I didn’t want to use my last name to protect my family’s privacy. My full name is now published on my IG. (Wink). I love my name and have never felt the need to make up anything fake. It’s who I am.

2) What is your favourite style of tattooing?

I think as I’ve evolved and matured my favorite style is traditional Japanese. It never goes out of style, it’s powerful, and beautiful. I also love colorful tattoos. I’ve noticed you can tell someone’s age a lot by the style of their tattoos, and realized that Japanese art will always be a prominent, timeless style. Some of it is very meaningful as well, so that’s cool too. My right arm is in the middle of getting covered in traditional Japanese by Jeffrey Page right now.

3) What kind of photo shoots do you like the most to make or be a part of?

I LOVE shooting for MAXIM magazine. It’s always a big production and I adore the team that I work with. I generally don’t let anyone else do my makeup or hair but they have the best artists.. I also have some creative control with those shoots and that means a lot for me. My style is very much a part of me and I like to be as authentic as possible through the lens. I’m also a HUGE fan of acting in music videos. I’ve worked with Avenged Sevenfold, Strung Out, Pennywise, The Dwarves (Blag Dahlia), and most recently had a cameo in Atmosphere’s video, “Okay”.

4) How many years have you been modelling and how did you actually start?

I began modeling around 15. I went to an art school for high school and one of my (Japanese) friends, who was a pro skateboarder back then, had a talent for photographing and developing film. He asked me to pose for him and those photos ended up in a Japanese skateboarding magazine, which was very rare to see back then. That same year during a trip to NYC, a talent scout for an elite modeling agency called Ford Models saw me on the street at Columbus Circle and I signed with them that day.

5) Have you ever been attending an International Tattoo event?

I have only been to conventions/tattoo events in the US! I’m trying to go to New Zealand’s, Rome’s, and London’s. My favorite convention by far is Durb Morrison’s HELL CITY. It is SO much fun and the after party is insane!

6) Have you been in any tv shows or programmes/series?

No I have not but I do intend on acting more and more. I love it. But I’m happy with the music videos for now!

7) Are you most into winter or summer holidays?

I love all and any holidays… I will take one anytime.

8) Do you have any specific hobbies beside your work as a model?

Yes I play music. I’m a classically trained pianist, I sing all the time, I have a microphone, guitars, bass, amplifiers, and a baby grand in my living room; the music is kind of non-stop around here. The only thing I don’t have is a drum set but I’m getting an electric one soon, so I don’t piss off the neighbors. Most of my friends, including my man, are professional touring musicians so we have a lot of fun here!

Follow her here: www.facebook.com/elizawinnofficial