Jesse Smith
| Jesse Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 2, 1976 |
| 💼 Occupation | Tattoo Artist |
| Known for | Television Personality |
| Style | New school |
| Television | Ink Masters (Season 2 & 7 ) |
| 🌐 Website | https://jessesmithtattoos.com |
Jesse Brandon Smith, known as Jesse Smith (born November 2, 1976), is an American tattoo artist, author, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is best known for his work as a tattoo artist on the Spike TV show Ink Master (Season 2) and Ink Master (Season 7), which premiered in the United States on January 7, 2012. He is the owner of a tattoo studio and art gallery, Loose Screw Tattoo,[1] located in Richmond, Virginia.
Early life[edit]
Born in Tacoma Park, Maryland on Nov. 2, 1976, into a military family, Jesse was initiated into a life of travel at an early age. His family relocated to Italy (1983), North Carolina (1986), Pennsylvania (1990), and Germany (1993) before Smith had even graduated high school. It was in Heidelberg, Germany that Smith was first exposed to Graffiti art. There he was exposed to artists like Mode 2[2], Can Two[3], Daim[4], Hesh[5], Loomit[6] and Toast[7]. Enthralled by the work that he was seeing, he began buying graffiti magazines and attempting to emulate the artistic styles that appealed to him. Eventually, he got the courage to venture out and try his hand at graffiti. He soon was spending hours perfecting his art, but struggled to find artistic peers to collaborate with. As time went on he started to meet other artists (OKE and KIP) and began painting with them.
In 1996, shortly after he graduated high school, Jesse enlisted in the Army. He was stationed in Newport News, VA, where he found less time and opportunity for painting. Instead, Smith focused on developing his drawing skills. He would draw cards for soldiers to send to their girlfriends/wives. He also worked at a local screen printing shop, drawing up T-shirt designs for the owner. In exchange for his artwork, the owner would let him print his own shirts for free.
While stationed in Newport News in 1997, Jesse began working at Busch Gardens[8], a theme park in Williamsburg, VA. Hired to draw caricatures, Jesse found himself working alongside Biff Marshall[9]. Marshall's talent as a caricature artist hugely influenced Smith's artwork during this time. Marshall also introduced him to an underground tattoo artist named Carlos. This introduction resulted in Jesse exploring yet another avenue with his artwork. He began drawing flash designs for Carlos and they began collaborating on tattoo pieces. These collaborations were Smith's foray into the world of tattooing.
Smith was Honorably Discharged from the Army in 1999. With new artistic inspiration and ambition, he left the military and moved to Richmond, Virginia to study art at Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2001 Jesse took a brief departure from his studies in Richmond to take advantage of the a study abroad opportunity[10] at the American Intercontinental University in London, England. After 10 months Jesse returned to the U.S. to spend a year at Old Dominion University[11] in Norfolk, VA. After that year, he returned to Virginia Commonwealth University to complete his studies. During the 5.5 years he was in college he had the pleasure of studying under artists and educators such as Sterling Hundley[12], George Pratt[13], Gary Kelley[14], Mark English[15], John English[16], and Anita Kunz[17]. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2004, with a Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA), with a focus in Illustration.
Professional career[edit]
In 2001, as a student at Virginia Commonwealth University, Smith was offered the opportunity to study abroad in England at the American Intercontinental University . While in London, he approached famed tattoo artist Bugs, owner of Evil From The Needle, for a job. Bugs was recognized for his Cubist style and attention to detail. In the 10 months under Bugs's direction, Smith's tattoo skill set grew immensely and he also learned to model Bugs's habits as a successful artist and business owner.
When his study abroad concluded in 2002, Jesse moved back to the United States and took a job tattooing at J.D. Crowe's Ancient Art Tattoo Studio, in Virginia Beach, VA. This studio was in close proximity to Old Dominion University, where he could continue his studies in Illustration.
Desiring to complete his studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, Jesse returned to Richmond, VA in 2003. He continued working as a tattoo artist at various studios in the area including Enigma Studios, Salvation Tattoo Gallery[18], Tattoo 702, and Ghostprint Gallery[19]. It was in 2003 that Smith received the first of many awards for his tattooing at the Richmond Tattoo Arts Festival[20].
In 2005, Smith was featured in his first article in a tattoo publication. He was interviewed for International Tattoo Art Magazine and his work was published in a feature spread. As Smith's work continued to garner attention, he was solicited to do tattoo artwork for some high-profile clients including Nashawn "Ox" Breedlove[21] ("Lotto" from 8 Mile), Fam-Lay (Star Track Records), Shae (N.E.R.D.), Jeff Hardy (Hardy Brothers), and Chris Adler[22] (Lamb of God[23]).
After years of working at a variety of studios throughout the world, Jesse opened up his own tattoo studio and art gallery in 2011. Loose Screw Tattoo, located in Richmond, VA, serves as the home studio to Smith and nine other resident artists. It also frequently hosts world renowned artists for guest appearances. Jesse continues to spend a large portion of his time traveling to make guest appearances at studios around the world.
Exhibitions[edit]
In addition to bringing his tattoo artwork to client's around the globe, Smith has also participated in exhibitions of his non-tattoo artwork. He was a participating artist in the The Burton Snowboards traveling show,Rides of Passage on display at : The Parko Gallery, Tokyo, Japan (Early 2005); Sanctuary Art Site, Burlington, Vermont (Dec. 1st-Jan. 28th, 2005); Conrad Sohm Gallery, Dornbirn, Austria (Nov. 19-22, 2004); Nexus Art Gallery, Saalfelden, Austria (Oct. 22-30, 2004); La Luz De Jesus Gallery, Los Angeles, California (Oct. 15-20, 2004).
Additionally, his work has been on display in the following exhibitions: Adams Gallery, Boston, MA, Contemporary Illustration Exhibit (March-April 2013); Capro Nason Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Tattoo Artist Exhibition (June 2012); Gallery 1988, Los Angeles, CA, Inle (March 2011); The Eloquent Delinquents Gallery, New York City, Munnyworld (Nov. 2009); Ghostprint Gallery, Richmond, Virginia, Drawing Blood Show (July 2008); University of Houston, Houston, Texas, Skin Art (Jan. 15-Feb. 15 2008).
Television[edit]
Jesse first appeared on Ink Master (Season 2), airing in 2012. He stunned many with his bright New School Style of tattooing. Smith placed 5th in the competition, but returned to participate in Ink Master (Season 7) in 2016. Additionally, he appeared in two episodes of Ink Master Redemption (Season 2, Episode 11 and Season 3, Episode 10) .
Loose Screw Tattoo[edit]
Loose Screw Tattoo is a shop owned by Jesse Smith located in Richmond, Virginia. It opened in 2011 and quickly became a powerful competitor in the densely populated tattoo arena of Richmond, VA. It is currently home to 9 resident artists and frequently hosts renowned artists from around the world.
Interviews and articles[edit]
- Skin and Ink Magazine - September 2011[24]
- Style Weekly: Richmond Artist Competes in TV Tattoo Fight - September 2012[25]
- Virginia This Morning - March 2013[26]
- Beyond Tattoo Book - August 2013
References[edit]
- ↑ "Loose Screw Tattoo". Loose Screw Tattoo. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "MODE 2". MODE 2. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "CANTWO". CAN TWO. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "DAIM". Daim. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Hesh". Fatcap. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Loomit". Loomit. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Toast". Endless Canvas. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Busch Gardens". Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Biff Marshall". RVA Tattoo Arts. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "AIU Study Abroad Program". American Intercontinental University. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Old Dominion University". Old Dominion University. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Sterling Hundley". Sterling Hundley. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "George Pratt". George Pratt. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Gary Kelley Studio". Gary Kelley Studio. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Mark English". Mark English Online. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "John English Art". John English Art. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Anita Kunz". Anita Kunz. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Salvation Tattoo Gallery". Salvation Tattoo Gallery. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Ghost Print Gallery". Ghost Print Gallery. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Richmond Tattoo, Art and Music Festival". Richmond Tattoo, Art and Music Festival. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Nashawn 'Ox' Breedlove". IMDb. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Chris Adler". Chris Adler. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Lamb of God". Lamb of God. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ Kakoulas, Melissa. "Artist Profile: Jesse Smith Tattoos". Needles and Sins Tattoo Blog. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ Sinclair, Melissa (18 September 2012). "Richmond Artist Competes In TV Tattoo Fight". Style Weekly. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ↑ "Virginia This Morning". CBS 6. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
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