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Title
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Dayi Novas (1998 - )
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Description
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Dayi Novas (she/her) is a second generation Chinese-American based in New York City and well-known for her work as a tattoo artist. She graduated from the Cooper Union School of Art in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, initially with the intent of becoming a typeface designer. After working for a design firm following her graduation, however, she quit, having said in an interview with L’Officiel Singapore, “I’d rather starve than have a boss.” After quitting, she started the art publication, OUCH! Studio Magazine and began tattooing in her private studio in Ridgewood, Queens.
Dayi’s art style varies from child-like scribble drawings to modulated Chinese brush strokes, as seen in some of her flash tattoo designs pictured below. She especially enjoys using the brushstroke style where, in tattooing, she uses a single needle cartridge to imitate the bristles and ink wash qualities that are typically achieved using an ink brush in traditional Asian art. Dayi is also inspired by florals, organic movements, and beauty, as seen in her other flash designs, which are listed on her website: https://www.ouch.studio/tattoos/flash. Additionally, she does a lot of freehand tattooing, an ability she traces back to her earlier work in typeface design. With her distinct style, Dayi’s tattoos have become easily recognizable throughout NYC according to her clients. Her bookings open monthly with limited openings that fill up quickly due to her popularity.
Dayi also has an art magazine, OUCH! Studio Magazine, that accepts submissions regardless of skill level. As of now, there have been 12 volumes, each with their own unique theme. Submissions range from drawings, paintings, and photography to recipes, screenplays, and much more.
In addition to her tattoo work and zine publication, Dayi simply just enjoys making art in many forms like ceramics, knitting, animation, painting, sketching, and more.
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Alternative Title
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Novas, Dayi. Flash.https://www.ouch.studio/tattoos/flash
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Source
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Mae, Melissa. 2023. “How Dayi Novas' Identity as "The Art Kid" Propelled Her to a Career in Tattoo Artistry.” L’Officiel Singapore, August 10, 2023. Accessed April 19, 2025. https://www.lofficielsingapore.com/beauty/dayi-novas-identitiy-tattoo-artist-ouch-tattoos-ouch-magazine
Novas, Dayi. https://www.ouch.studio/about
Qian, Cleo. 2022. “6 NYC-Based Asian Artists Who Are Evolving Tattoo Culture.” Vogue Beauty, May 27, 2022. Accessed on April 19, 2025.
Picture Sources:
Novas, Dayi (novasdayi). “I never take on freelance but when I do it’s gonna be @newyorkermag — lots of love to @v_guan, the best freelance experience!!!”. Instagram, February 25, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/p/C3ymKkVNUC8/?img_index=1
Novas, Dayi. Flash.https://www.ouch.studio/tattoos/flash
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Name
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Alanna Byrne
