Translated:

- Tell us about yourself. Let’s see, I’m 35 – I’ve lived in New York for almost 10 years now. I like to travel, a lot – luckily I have friends all over the world who I can stay with. I think my favorite city is Tokyo, I love it there. I’ve been practicing Buddhism for the past 5 years, it’s a very big part of how I live my life.

- What kind of modeling do you do? Really, whatever the photographer wants. I like shooting with Eric Vogel, he is my favorite in New York.

- Where have you modeled? A lot of it is for my company, Franky & Minx – I’ve modeled for Varla, and have been on several tattoo magazine covers, including the upcoming Tattoos for Men.

- What 3 words would best describe you? To quote Agnostic Front: “Pride, Faith, Respect”

- What is your view on nudity and pornography?Well, I think there is a difference, naturally. I’ve lived all over the world, and it is interesting to see how repressed America in general can be about this. Yes, the porn industry here is booming, but I think it’s because we view sex as taboo. We are born naked, every day we are sold products to make our bodies look better – vitamins, gyms, exercise tapes, diet pills, we are so obsessed with how we look – then it becomes taboo to take your top off. As for porn in general, it is what it is and people have been having sex since the beginning of time. If someone finds it arousing to see other people doing it, then what is the issue? (Naturally, this answer refers to consenting adults.) Using sex for power, manipulation, or by force is just wrong.

- Tell us little about your interests and about your favorite bands.I was an art and art history major, so I’m fascinated by art and textures – especially art that incorporates symbolism. Lately, I’ve been making custom clothes, furniture and guitars to have a creative outlet. As far as bands, I don’t think my musical tastes have changed much since I was 13. I still remember putting Social Distortion’s clear vinly Mommy’s Little Monster on my friend’s turntable and being in heaven. Today, I love Devil Doll, Spoiler NYC, Social D, The Radiots (Japanese punk band), Ignite, Bif Naked, Dirty Mary, and Dirty Water. I’ve also been getting into some country – Loretta Lynn; my brother sings for an old Oi band called Iron Cross. He has a new project called Sab Grey and the Royal Americans – which has some country influences – I love that too.

- You have met a few (or lot of) rock stars. Can you tell us, who has been the most interesting?Wow. Well, a lot of my friends are musicians. But I’d have to say, that Bif Naked is really a cool person. She and I met several years ago in New York and have become friendly over the years. I really appreciate the emotions she puts into her songs, and the dedication she puts into her work. She’s a very open, very spiritual person. I have to say she is one woman I find truly inspiring.

- You’re a PR and marketing specialist, president of alt-brand Franky & Minx. Tell us about it.Well, my parents owned a PR firm growing up, so I learned a lot of it from them, at the dinner table. Somehow, it became what I did for a living. I could never get away though from my roots, and wanted to find a way to incorporate my alt roots into business. So if the corporate world wanted to do things with alternative cultures, they’d have to work with someone from that culture. In 2001 I started Franky & Minx – which is based on tattoo art and my designs. Today – we have a full product line.

- How did you come to tattoo?I am not a tattoo artist if that is what you mean? I came to love tattoos as an art form. I actually got my first one when I was 17. Jimmy Gestapo turned me on to one of his artists in Wisconsin and I made an appointment. My first tattoo said “Rude Girl”. My friends were artists, and they did some work, and I just got hooked. I’ve been very lucky to have some of the best artists work on me.

- Which is your first one? And why did you make it?“Rude Girl” – it’s since been covered, and I wish I hadn’t. I always rolled with the punk/skinhead/mod cultures – I was very into the ska music scene at that time.

- Among all your tattoos, which one do you prefer and why? Yikes. I’m not sure. I have so many I love. They all have multiple meanings – a combination of streets, art, and Buddhism. I have Dedication on my hands, Cartoon did it for me. I can read it myself as I’m looking at my hands, and it reminds me to dedicate merit (a Buddhist practice) – and to work hard. My back is a geisha praying to a wheel of Dharma, with water surrounding her. That too has multiple meanings to me.

- Which is the last one? The last piece I had done was actually on the TV show, LA Ink, by Corey Miller. It was my wedding vows to my husband (we’ve since divorced) – but it runs up my forearm and says “Endless Tuesday Mornings Going Against the Stream”.

- Have you got an idea of the next one? Chris Garver is doing my back, it still needs to be finished – so I’m sure it will be that one.

- Is there a tattooist’s works that impress you very much? I love Garver’s work, there is a shop in Avignon France that I’ve always been impressed with (and I can never remember the name!). I love Chuey’s work – his black and Grey is amazing, he’s working at Jack Rudy’s shop in CA.

- What are the meanings of your tattoos? There is a lot of dual-meaning. My wrists say True Love For All – it ties into the old school tattoos, true love, but the true love for all is also part of the mantra for Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion. My forearms read “The life we lead, so pure to me” --- it’s lyrics from Agnostic Front song about the NYHC lifestyle – but to me, it is both that, and the purity of a Buddhist lifestyle. My feet have a Geisha and a Guadalupe on them – Vixen and Virgin – the two strengths women struggle with. Above them, Cartoon inked “Don’t take me for Granted” and “ I wasn’t born to follow” – two of my favorite Social D songs.

- Do you have a message for kids who would like to be tattooed? Think very hard about what you want, and don’t do it just because your friends are or you think it’s cool.

- What’s the next step for Heidi Minx? I’m working on a book for my website, Punk Rock Domestics. I’ve been working on some custom pieces – really right now, I’m just doing what I do, and seeing what happens!