Jesse Smith Richmond, Virginia - USA @jessesmithtattoos

From Richmond, Virginia, Jesse Smith is a New School tattoo legend and an international reference for his unique style that blends graffiti, illustration, and boundless creativity. With over 25 years of experience, he is the founder of Loose Screw Tattoo and organizer of one of the most important tattoo conventions in the United States.

This year, Jesse returns as a judge for the DGN Tattoo Magazine International Competition, standing out for the second time as one of the artists responsible for evaluating the best in global tattooing. His experience, passion, and artistic vision will be key in recognizing the new talents of the industry.

On this occasion, he shares with us his story, his perspective on the evolution of tattooing, and presents a selection of his most outstanding works.

1.Hi Jesse, we know this is probably a question you’ve been asked many times, but since there’s always a new audience discovering your work, we’d like to briefly revisit your beginnings in art and tattooing.

We know you had a strong inclination toward art from a very young age, and that your time in Germany connected you with urban culture and graffiti. Later, upon returning to the United States, you went through different experiences — including your time in the army and working as a caricature artist — that gradually led you toward tattooing. Could you tell us what that journey was like and what moment marked a turning point in your decision to become a professional tattoo artist?

Yes :)  Most of my Journey consisted of me just putting one foot in front of the other.  I never really had any expectations as to where art would take me, I just really enjoyed creating and because of that a lot of the decisions I made revolved around nurturing that passion.  I do, however, recall a major fork in the road.  It happened towards the end of my time in the Military.  Whenever you're nearing the end of your Military Service they ask you if you'd like to re-enlist or terminate your time in the service.  I remember putting a lot of thought into this decision.  On the one hand I had definitive stability (the Military) and would have been able to retire by the age of 40. On the other hand I had a path of uncertainty (going to art school). Ultimately, I chose to follow my passion because the fear of forever wondering 'what if' was far greater than the fear of uncertainty.

2. Your academic background in illustration surely influenced the way you approach design in tattooing. How do you integrate that technical foundation with the expressive freedom that the New School style allows?

It's funny, I was already doing graffiti and tattooing before, during, and after art school, so for a while, I saw art school as a necessary step to become a 'real' artist. It wasn't until much later in my career that I realized it was great for shoring up my foundational skills, but ultimately it was ambition, passion, and discipline that helped me stand out. My formal training really helped tighten up my expressive work and taught me to create with purpose.

3.Loose Screw Tattoo is not only your studio, but also a creative space of reference on the international scene. What philosophy guides your work there, and what do you aim to convey to both clients and your team of artists?

Running, building and guiding Loose Screw has been one of the most difficult and fulfilling art projects that I've done to date.  When I opened up Loose Screw back in 2011 my goal was to create a space for artists that would nurture all avenues of the business side of things while allowing them the ability to focus on what's most important, the art.  I'm not quite sure I've been totally successful in achieving that goal but I do feel like I've helped set some of these artists up with a stable career rather than just a day to day job.

4.In addition to your renowned career as an artist, you're also the organizer of one of the oldest tattoo conventions in the United States. How do you experience the preparation process? And what can you tell us about this year’s edition, already scheduled for October 17–19?

We start preparing for the next tattoo convention the day after the last one ends. So much is involved in throwing a good convention that trying to do it in just six months seems impossible. This year, we're putting a heavy focus on the art side of the event and bringing back the Academy, which is a full day of learning and collaborating with some of the best artists in the world. The Academy will take place on Monday, October 20th, the day after the main event. I'm especially excited about this year's amazing lineup of artists, including Timmy B, Robby Latos, Yomico, Greg 'Craola' Simkins, and Kevin Llewellyn.

5.Do you ever take a moment to reflect on everything you’ve experienced throughout your career and life? And when you do, does it feel like everything that’s happened is what you once dreamed of?

I rarely look back, but when I do, it seems like a lifetime ago. I've been tattooing for almost three decades—longer than I haven't! I've far exceeded anything I ever dreamed of achieving, but as I said earlier, I never really had any expectations, so everything I've accomplished has been a surprise.

6.You’re currently serving as a judge in our international competition for the second time. What was your experience like during the first edition? What stood out to you about the level of the artists? And in this new edition, what would you like to see or discover among the participants?

It was very difficult for me to pick winners this last time around because everyone was so amazing!  Anytime I judge a competition, foundational techniques come first (ie. clean lines, smooth fades, consistent saturation, contrast, etc.).  After that I look for creativity.  Nowadays most tattoo artists within these competitions are foundationally solid so the only thing that is going to get them to stand out from the pack is creativity.   Also, with AI making its way into the art world, the only thing we have to offer is creativity.  That's the future.  

7.You've witnessed the tattoo industry evolve over several decades. What changes do you consider the most positive, and what aspects do you think still need improvement or greater professionalization?

Over the past 3 decades the industry has evolved a TON.  The tools, the artists, the collectors and the marketing techniques are almost unrecognizable to what it looked like when I started.  Pre-made needles, Rotary machines, digital cameras, art school, photoshop and utilizing the internet and/or TV to market yourself were all things that were very much looked down on towards the earlier part of my career.  Now it's pretty difficult to find anyone who isn't utilizing most of these things at some level or another.  Although most people consider me an "older" artist, I absolutely love all the changes that have happened over the years.  I feel like we're heading in the right direction and I'm excited to see how far everything can go.

8.We’ve seen you collaborating with other artists recently, blending styles. What attracts you the most about working alongside other tattooers?

Collaborating with other artists has always been a passion of mine.  I'm not totally sure why but I think I just really enjoy creating with other artists.  I feel like other artists help bend your brain in different directions. I've done hundreds of collaborations but a great deal of them have been via art outside of tattooing (murals, digitally, paintings, etc.).  Lately I've been collaborating with a lot of younger artists.  I absolutely love their energy and passion for art.  A lot of the older artists have lost that for some reason.  It's also really great to learn from the younger artists.  Their way of doing things (tattooing, booking, marketing, etc.) is totally different from the ways I grew up doing them so it's very refreshing.

9.How is your year unfolding? What projects are you currently working on, and what events or plans do you have lined up for the rest of this year and next?

The rest of the year is going to be chaos!  I have 2 tattoo conventions that I'll be working this month (Virginia Beach and Bucharest, Romania).  I'm also going to bash out a couple collaborative tattoos with Daria Pirojenko in between those two conventions.  I've currently got an in progress skateboard design I'm working on with James Tex.  I'll be dropping the fourth edition of this mega collaborative digital art I'm currently working on with 65 of some of my favorite artists.  I've got my tattoo convention happening in Oct and I might possibly be bashing out a massive mural with my buddy Miguel Del Cuadro before the year ends.  To be honest, this is way more than I'm comfortable with, but apparently I enjoy drowning in commitments.  Hence the fact that it's taken me so long to get this interview back to you guys (sorry!)

10.To wrap up, if there’s anything you’d like to share with our readers, this space is all yours. We truly appreciate your time and are honored to have you as part of this edition.

I truly appreciate you guys inviting me to be a part of your magazine.  It's an honor.  To all of the artists out there, stay hungry and passionate and to all of the collectors out there, thank you for supporting us!!