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I would first like to thank each and every one of you for all your support and wonderful emails. Because of the copious amount of compliments you guys have shoveled my way I can no longer fit my head out of a normal size door. I've also developed a massive bit of athritis in my fingers from answering all of your emails. So I decided to put together a bunch of Frequently Asked Questions along with their answers in hopes to cut down on the amount of Bayer I must consume to damper the pain. I read every email I receive and if your questions is not answered below I will reply to your email. If it takes a bit, it's not cuz I don't love ya, I'm just busy installing double doors throughout my house so I can get from one room to the next a bit easier. Once again, Thanx,
Jesse Smith
1) HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING TATTOOED BY YOU?
As of right now I am no longer taking on any new clients, but if you are interested in possibly getting tattooed by me in the future, you can submit your ideas via the "Submissions" tab. Whenever I have some space available I will browse through all submissions and scoop up the ideas I am most inspired by.
2) IF I SUBMIT AN IDEA DOES THAT MEAN I WILL EVENTUALLY GET TATTOOED BY YOU?
Due to the overwhelming amount of people who have shown interest in getting tattooed by me I have come to realize that I won't be able to get to all of them. So in order to keep continuity throughout my portfolio as well as continue to have fun as a tattoo artist I have decided to take on only jobs that I am inspired by.
3) IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO INCREASE MY CHANCES OF GETTING TATTOOED BY YOU?
I always look for clients with rather loose ideas. I really enjoy collaborating with my clients but when someone is too set on an idea it makes it difficult for me to contribute artistically. Another thing I look for in an idea is a clever concept. Finding ways to visually communicate a clever concept is probably one of my favorite things to do as an artist. And lastly, I look for clients that are dedicated enough to put forth the time and money that is necessary to make their piece the best it can possibly be.
4) HOW DO I GO ABOUT BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT AT ONE OF YOUR UPCOMING TATTOO CONVENTIONS/GUEST SPOTS?
All you've got to do is join my mailing list by clicking here and submitting your email address. As soon as I start booking for conventions and/or guest spots I will shoot an email out to everyone on my mailing list. Hit me back with your idea and if I still have room available I'll book you in.
5) WILL YOU START MY BACKPIECE/SLEEVE AT A CONVENTION OR GUEST SPOT??
I won't start anything at a convention/guest spot that I can't finish in one session. If you are looking to get a larger piece done by me then submit your idea by clicking the "Submissions" tab.
6) ARE THERE ANY OTHER ARTISTS IN RICHMOND THAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND?
At the bottom of the links section you will find a list of local artists and their websites.
7) HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE PER HOUR?
$150 an hour, with a three hour minimum
8) HOW MUCH OF A DEPOSIT DO YOU REQUIRE?
It all depends on the tattoo that you are trying to get. The bigger the tat, the more of a deposit I will require. They usually run anywhere from $150 (For little one shotters) to $600 (Neck to Knee Backpiece). Deposits are non-refundable and will be deducted from your last session.
9) IS THERE A STYLE OF TATTOOING THAT YOU PREFER TO DO OVER OTHERS?
I prefer to do Lo-Brid style tattoos. Character driven cartoony type stuff.
10) ARE THERE ANY TATTOO STYLES THAT YOU WON'T DO?
I try to stay away from Japanese themed tattoos, tribal, black and grey, traditional tattoos and anything that requires any sort of reference. There are already a ton of artists out there who are awesome at these styles. Seek them out. You'll get a much better piece from them than you will from me.
11) HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TATTOOING?
I’ve been tattooing professionally since June of ’99.
12) WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
I am tattooing at GHOSTPRINT GALLERY located at 220 W. Broad St. Richmond, Virginia 23220.
13) WHAT ARE YOUR HOURS?
I tattoo Tuesday through Saturday from 12PM-10PM.
14) HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO DO A TATTOO?
It really just depends on what it is that you are getting. Whether it is in color or black and grey, how big the overall piece is, and how much detail is involved. To give you a rough idea, a sleeve takes me anywhere between 30-50 hours and a neck to knee backpiece could take anywhere from 70-100 hours.
15) IS IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO DRAW UP A TATTOO DESIGN FOR ME SO THAT I MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET IT TATTOOED BY ONE OF THE LOCAL ARTISTS?
I would love to be able to draw up designs for everyone who enjoys my work, but I currently must focus my attention on the people who are getting tattooed by me. If you are having trouble finding a good artist in your area try going to TATTOONOW.COM or TATTOOS.COM. Both have a pretty extensive artist list broken down by location.
16) DO YOU TAKE ON APPRENTICES?
At this time in my career, I do not have the time that I feel is necessary to give a correct apprenticeship. My suggestion to you is to put together a portfolio of your work and show it around to all the local shops. Make it as professional as possible (don’t enter a shop with a bunch of loose notebook paper crammed in a folder of sketches you did in detention). If I were going to apprentice someone, I would want them to present their work in a professional manner as well as show an ambitious, optimistic attitude. And, of course, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again. The first time I went around to all the shops I got rejected. I had to make the rounds two more times before I landed a job.
17) Could you critique my portfolio or give me some advice on how I could improve my tattoos/drawing/painting??
I really do enjoy critiquing portfolios and giving advice but as of late I have become super overwhelmed with my current work load and really don't have any extra time. If you're ever in the Richmond area definitely don't hestitate to stop by with any questions that you might have. I'd love to answer them.
18) WHAT CONVENTIONS/GUESTSPOTS DO YOU DO?
All of the conventions/guest spots that I do are put under the Itinerary section as soon as I know that I am going to be attending them. If you would like me to hit you up before I get out your way, please go to my website and join my mailing list.
19) WHAT TYPE OF INKS DO YOU USE?
I use Starbrite, Eternal, Alla Prima, and Intenze.
20) WHAT TYPE OF MACHINES DO YOU USE?
Mickey Sharps.
21) WHO ARE YOUR INSPIRATIONS?
A list of my inspirations along with a ton of artists that I admire and respect can be found under the Links section.
22) HAVE YOU HAD ANY FORMAL TRAINING?
I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts, with an emphasis in illustration, at Virginia Commonwealth University.
23) ANY CLASSES THAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND TAKING?
I would recommend taking pretty much any art class you can get into. I think you can learn from any class as long as you keep an open mind. Most of the classes that I took my freshman and sophmore year really didn't focus too much on the type of stuff that I was doing, but it taught me a lot about anatomy, lighting, composition and color theory. I currently use all of what I learned in those classes in everything I do. As I moved onto my Junior and Senior years my teachers were more laxed, however they really didn't know where to guide me. But the critiques they gave me were very valuable and have helped mold me into the artist I am today. So take as many classes as you can. You're bound to learn something.
Thank you for taking the time to browse my FAQ. If your question was not answered in the questions above I will respond to your email. Thank you all for your support, I really do appreciate it,
Jesse Smith
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