Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackson Sharpe.
Hi Jackson, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Honestly, this journey started with a love for art & self expression. Remember when we were young in school just doodling when the teacher was trying to educate us on The Boston Tea Party? I was the kid drawing Cityscape Skylines of Atlanta with my head down trying to per-fect vanishing points.
In 2013, post high-school I had a roommate who just tattooed to pass time & make money on the side. He wasn’t a Professional Tattoo Artist, he was definitely self taught. I watched, studied his craft, & started asking questions daily. After countless nights of observation I decided I could do this! What I didn’t know, was that it’s alot harder than it looks. I Tattooed Unprofessionally for years just learning ins & outs of how the craft worked.
In 2020, I tattooed a friend & she went to a local Tattoo Shop to buy some jewelry. The Owner noticed her Tattoo & asked her who did the tattoo. She told him, some guy that tattoos at his house. The owner told her to call me right now & to tell me that he wanted me to work at his shop. Next thing I know, I was in a professional shop learning the craft from a different angle. Chris Bradley (Epic Ink) became a mentor & Close Friend as I tattooed & became well rounded at Tattooing.
In 2022 I left Epic Ink to Open my own shop 3X3CUTIV3 INK in Commerce, Ga about 45 minutes away from my Mentor’s shop. I actually opened this shop with one of my clients at the time who was a piercer. Years later we’re growing substantially every year & now she has became my Best Friend/Companion.
Alot of Blood, Sweat, & Literal Tears have been a part of the growth of this Company. We have worked 110 hours a week sometimes to successfully bring 3X3CUTIV3 INK to life.
I saved all of my money from tattooing to open other businesses such as an Exotic Pet Shop (R3N3GAD3 REPTILES) & a Tattoo Supply Comapny (Hollywood Skin Society) that have been a sensation ever since they’ve been founded as well.
Three words, Loyalty. DEDICATION. & Determination
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A Smooth Road is a term that I wouldn’t even consider using in the description of my journey.
There were so many struggles along the way that there were times where I just wanted to throw in the towel.
We had Legal issues, tons of setbacks with opening the Tattoo Shop such as Regulations & structural obstacles. Also finding artists to fill the shop along with myself was a headache.
When you’re trying to push forward, there will always be a force pushing back. You just have to put on your gloves & keep fighting the good fight. As far as the other 2 companies, there were endless obstacles & still are to this day.
With tattooing, your livelihood depends solely on individuals wanting to tell a story on their skin. Somedays, people might not want to tell a story on their skin so then you’re sitting there trying to figure out how to pay bills & keep things moving.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been known to be well rounded in all styles of Tattooing as I came from a background where you had to tattoo whatever came through the door each night & You better do a good job at it.
Nowadays I lean more towards certain styles & let my Artists handle most of the styles that I don’t care to Tattoo. I’ve became pretty well known for Tattooing Neo-Traditional & Traditional Style tattoos. Very fluent with Blackwork & Fine Line as well.
In 2023, I became an Award Winning Tattoo Artist in New Orleans At Villan Arts. I won Most Unusual Tattoo & I presented a Neo-Traditional Tattoo to take this award home.
I’m proud of who I shaped myself to be as an Artist, Person, & Business Owner because if you would have told me 10 years ago that this is where I would be then I would call you a dreamer. I’ve literally devoted my life to the craft & have even branched out to different industries to become an Entrepreneur.
There are alot of AWESOME tattoo artists in this world. Honestly I feel as if that’s an Understatement. I do feel like I’m different in my own way because when my client walks out the door, they will never forget about my dedication to bringing their tattoo to life. I am a perfectionist and it shows in alot of my work.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The only person that will ever take responsibility for your work is within.
If you stop, you will fail.
There are 3 things in life that are guaranteed: Taxes, Deposits prevent Cancelations, & Sacrifices are essential to success.
Pricing:
- $100-$150hr is my rate & that will never change no matter how great my work is.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JrparVFzU/
- Instagram: @ink_by_jackson
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17JSjJNmzx/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jacksonsharpe?_t=ZT-90yPMlTTAir&_r=1
