Today we’d like to introduce you to J. Smalley.
J, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m born and raised right here in Atlanta. I grew up skateboarding and running around going to punk rock shows and ended up getting lucky and became a tattooer.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Well, the 80’s and 90’s in Atlanta were pretty different from today so I fell into the darker side of this place. Drugs and alcohol became a part of my running around and I fell to that for a while. I ended up having a realization around 1996 that I needed to change and right when I did I suddenly found myself becoming a father and it couldn’t have been a better thing to happen. I changed my ways immediately and jumped into being dad. I worked very hard to support my new family but wasn’t happy with what I was doing and found myself with the chance to do something that I wanted to and that if I worked hard I could take care of us and be happy at the same time and tattooing became the new reality I needed.
Please tell us about your art.
I do tattoos that look like tattoos. I specialize in not specializing. Anything I’m capable of tattooing I want to. I do not do realistic tattoos though. I’ve tried and it’s just not my thing. The “style” I’m known for mostly is bold traditional style tattoos! What sets me apart is that I want everyone I tattoo to have the best experience I can give them and walk away with a memory of the experience that it was full of kindness, patience, and that I truly care for them to have a very pleasant memory of it all. I’m exchanging energy with someone and I’m giving them the only thing they will ever buy for themselves that they will have FOREVER! I owe it to every person to have a positive memory of the experience and give them a nice solid long lasting tattoo.
What’s your outlook for the industry in our city?
My outlook on the future is based on my belief that we should all live in the present and take our past as lessons for tomorrow! I’ll be here at LIVE FREE making tattoos and hanging out with my kids, my new granddaughter and my friends, they are my real true family.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 4046359414
- Email: jsmalleytattooer@icloud.com
- Instagram: @jsmalleytattooer
- Other: @livefreetattoo
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