Today we’d like to introduce you to Cody Smith.
Cody, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well… growing up everyone is always told that college is the route. So after high school, it was either college or pretty much be a bum, ha. I went to college, blindly not exactly knowing what I wanted to do. I knew I always wanted to do something with art but not really in a direction. I grew up in the metal music scene a lot, I was always at shows or working at a venue in McDonough. So generally, tattoos always were in conversation or eye-catching in that industry. I was always an artist, even as a child. Took every class I could in high school for art. So when I was in college, most my art was tattoo inspired. I drew lots of flash and even original art. Luckily, my art teacher and class were really rad and that’s mostly what I worked on. Eventually, I had friend who was piercing at a local shop in 2013 I believe. He told me to bring my portfolio by and try to get an apprenticeship. I swung by one day, shot my shot, and was told they would call me if I was wanted. Kinda bummed, but I was like ehh well I tried haha. What did I have to lose, ya know. A week later, I got a call from Joe Godby and he wanted me to start apprenticing the next day. Luckily, I hadn’t started that semester yet, so school wasn’t an issue. I worked a in tire warehouse in the early morning as well. I called my job that day. Cut my hours to part time instantly. And told Joe I would be there. For a year, I apprenticed. I work in the mornings 6-11. Then the tattoo shop 12-9. It was some of the toughest, longest days ever, haha. Sometimes I can’t believe I even did that. So here I am today, making a living, supporting a family, using my love for art as a way of income and happiness. It’s truly rad.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s never a smooth road. There’s always a challenge. My mentor Joe Godby wasn’t exactly super hard on me most the time. As long as I did things right the first time, I didn’t get my balls busted haha. He taught me all I knew about tattooing and even became my best friend. He was double my age, but spiritually; he was a kid just like me no doubt. Eventually, I outgrow the shop I started in. He told me to go out there and ‘be somebody’. I’ve been all over the place working from Portland Oregon, to Salt Lake City Utah, to Savanah Georgia. Mostly for guest spots but always feeling out a shop and seeing how it functions. I wasn’t ever opposed to moving. I never really wanted to
be famous. I just wanted to do rad tattoos and make a living. I really enjoyed Savannah. Definitely one of raddest cities to tattoo in. Right when I moved down there, I was talking to a beautiful girl in Kennesaw, GA. She drove down every weekend for almost 10 months. I’d say she liked me haha. Eventually she wanted me to move up. I’d also be closer to my mom and dad; who I didn’t see much. I loved Savannah, but the choice seemed natural and right as weird as that sounds. So now, that beautiful girl is my wife Emmy. We have 2 rad corgis, and a beautiful baby boy named Parker. I’ve never been so satisfied. Tattooing has always had challenges. Making people happy all the time, and doing good clean work 24/7. Every artist will probably say the same thing. I try to not let a single struggle define me. It was really about doing what I loved, making a living, and having a life with balance. That was the biggest struggle I felt. It only fueled me to be a better artist and grow as a person day by day.
Tell us about your business – what should we know?
I currently work at Planet Ink tattoos in Kennesaw, Georgia. They treat me really well, let me take off time if needed, and I make decent money. It’s also 2 minutes away from my house. We also have an awesome crew. I don’t really ‘dread’ going to work or hate working with someone I don’t ‘click with’. The environment is inspiring and uplifting and you can really grind your butt off if you want. I specialize in American traditional, Japanese, and some linework inspired tattoos. Basically, I like solid outlines. I enjoy color mostly, but I’m always down for black and grey as well. I definitely try to put my heart into every tattoo. It’s honestly the largest honor to tattoo anyone. I try to make people feel comfortable with their body. Whenever I was younger, if I didn’t like how how I looked; I’d go slap a tattoo on and feel better about myself. I love that I can help people love themselves again. Maybe my outlook sets me apart. I’m not out to get famous, be a millionaire, etc. I just want to make good clean tattoos and go home to my family. Everything else in between is a bonus.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I will forever give credit to Joe Godby as my mentor. He taught me a ton about tattooing, even about life in general. My best friend, no doubt. A lot of people have falling out with their mentors but our relationship grew the longer we knew each other strangely. He was one of two best men in my wedding. Just overall, fantastic person. He passed away last year due to cancer. He got a little sick. Apparently, he had stage 4 lung cancer, didn’t even know. We lost him in a month. I think about him daily. He gave me a skill that I love and cherish. I can raise a family while doing what I love. Even if I was a billionaire, I still don’t feel like I could ever repay that man.
Of course, I’ve had other people help me through my career and give me the best advice. Colby Daehler worked at the shop I appreciated at and taught me how to work on machines. Josh Clay taught me how to watercolor and I will always credit him that. I’ve also been tattooed by a lot of bigger named artist like Dave Tevenal, yogi Barrett, Kelly Doty, eddie Stacey, dean Denney, Zack Spurlock are always the ones that come to mind. I always feel like I picked their brain a little. Asked questions, and usually they were cool to answer. Even if it wasn’t tattoo related; I feel they helped me grow as a person or spiritually. There’s a ton of other artists that have helped me but the list is so long haha. I’m never afraid to ask for help or even ask a friend how to improve. I feel that’s very vital to grow. Always learn. The second you think you’ve gotten everything figured out is the second you stop growing.
Also, my wife is my biggest cheerleader. Always supportive. Gives good criticism. Doesn’t toot my own horn because she has to. She’s honest, and I really like that.
My parents aren’t into tattoos are all. They have zero understanding of them; which is totally fine! Every now and they I’ll text them a photo and they will respond with a ‘Very cool’ or something like that. To me… that’s awesome. They don’t hate what I do, and honestly, they respect it. It’s pretty rad.
And also… friends. If you’ve ever supported me by getting art, a tattoo, or even had a good conversation. Thank you. You may not know, but I gained something from that. And I’m very fortunate for you. Thank you so much.
Pricing:
- $100 dollar minimum
Contact Info:
- Address: Planet Ink Tattoos
2655 Cobb Pkwy Suite 101
Kennesaw, GA 30152 - Website: https://www.planetinktattoos.com/cody-smith
- Phone: 770-422-6887
- Email: codysmithtattoos@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codysmithtattoos
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