Today we’d like to introduce you to Tattoos by Jake Stowers.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up south of Atlanta. Growing up, I was always very intrigued and drawn to art in general. I spent a lot of time when I was younger expressing this side of me. I would sharpie on my skate shoes, graffiti anything with a surface, paint on my dressers…. Everything was meant to have art on it for me. The younger me was definitely drawn towards the feeling that certain art would give me and how it perceived differently amongst the eye of the beholder. I saw other parts of life as very literal or certain…. Art being a huge exception. I realized my imagination and creativity was amplified through art.
Skipping forward to the teenage years of my life, and I start to venture out into the world of freedom. I always knew growing up I wouldn’t want to work for somebody else for the rest of my life to make them richer. I started my first business around the age of 15 being a freelance graphic designer. I had a passion for that kind of stuff… creating something out of nothing. Taking an idea and turning it into reality. I think that is why art and design will live on forever; not everyone can be the artist! Not everyone sees the significance or value in the Mona Lisa, but regardless it was made with hours of work and dedication with just a few paintbrushes and oil paint on a canvas. The artist truly made nothing out of something. A mere visualization turned reality.
Fast forward to January of 2019. I was getting tattooed by my artist thinking, “you know what, that is something I can do!”. It was almost a random thought that manifested in my head as the day went on. I went home that night and used just about the last bit of my money buying a tattoo kit from Amazon. I think it was like $60 for the whole set! Turns out, that cheap investment I was on the fence about making changed my life forever. I’m blessed to be able to say I have found myself through art. I see myself teaching other young adults who may not know what’s in them. I plan to open some sort of charity or nonprofit school for young adults or teenagers to try all ranges of art – not just tattooing. I plan on opening this sort of organization in the city of Atlanta; where many young undiscovered artists flourish.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have been tattooing for three years now, two being professional. Tattooing is a very emotional and mental ballgame, regardless of the situation or experience. I started my tattoo career at home, not knowing what the future would behold. Starting out the self-taught way was definitely challenging as there was nobody to teach me or show me how to do it; but that gave me even more reason to learn. I spent days on end watching YouTube, Oliver Ayre and iShine ink were huge inspirations back then. I spent countless days and nights tattooing the homies trying to figure out a technique. I never gave up and kept looking at different ways to move my wrist and how fast to move it. I learned pretty early on that the ONLY way to be successful in this game is by hard perfect work. I just kept going and kept trying to make each tattoo better implementing new skills/techniques on each one. I am still learning and researching to this day; it’s all a part of the journey! I want to give a special thanks to each and every one of my supports — I wouldn’t be here without you.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a tattoo artist specializing in high contrast black & grey realism. I focus on treating each client with a quality experience. Each one of my clients leaves happy and excited about their new piece. I pride myself in taking care of my people and making a lifelong connections.
Coverup tattoos are something I love doing as well, as my style tends to have dark areas already making coverups a breeze. I have experience tattooing high contrast pieces on darker skin tones as well; making the ink pop!
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
BE YOU! I went a long time in life trying to figure out exactly who I was or where I belonged — not knowing what waited inside the whole time. Believe in yourself before anybody else does. Manifest yourself being in the position you want to be in. Dreams turned into goals, turned into action, turns into real life. Everything great was once just an idea. Never forget that!
Pricing:
- FEBRUARY TAPOUT SPECIAL 8 HOURS $790
- FEBRUARY TAPOUT SPECIAL 4 HOURS $390
- Regular Full Day Session $900
- Regular Half Day Session $500
- Small tattoos start @ $100
Contact Info:
- Email: 1890tattoo@gmail.com
- Website: www.1890tattoo.com
- Instagram: @1890tattoo
- Facebook: @1890tattoo
