Meet Jules

We were lucky to catch up with Jules recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jules, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

For me, overcoming imposter syndrome was not an easy task, being that I am essentially a self-taught tattoo artist. I have had help here and there from others who offered me guidance, but most of my journey was started alone, fueled only by the strong will to enter this industry. I have always wanted to be an artist all my life. I’ve always been creative. Imposter syndrome is something that every artist will struggle with, asking yourself “am I really good enough to do this?”, “do I have what it takes to continue down this path?” The truth is, no one is good at anything when you first try your hand at it. Tattooing is the hardest artistic medium I’ve ever learned, truly. There are so many things to learn, so many factors that play a role in executing a good tattoo. Art is subjective, meaning there are so many different styles and opinions about what constitutes a “good” tattoo. So you’re already operating within a world that has lots of subjectivity which can make it hard to know if what you’re creating is worth value. There are basic skills every tattoo artist has to learn, including technical skills and the ability to work well with clients to grow your brand. There isn’t always an easy solution to overcoming imposter syndrome, I think it’s more about accepting it and knowing everyone else feels it too. Imposter Syndrome can only be overcome with gaining experience. It can still be a struggle for me, but I have seen myself grow so much and that built a lot of confidence over time. Confidence can only be built by starting new and making mistakes until you’re finally where you want to be. No one jumps into something being successful right off the jump. Part of making a path for yourself is knowing it won’t be easy and that the beginning is the hardest part. If you can get past the initial struggle of starting, you will find that it gets easier with time.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Born and raised in upstate NY, I now work as a tattoo artist in Rochester. I grew up loving art and creativity, especially drawing. I’ve learned many different art mediums, and went to school for art. I found tattooing shortly after college, and considered that this path could be right for me. The idea of getting to draw and tattoo every day seemed like a dream. I struggled to find apprenticeships and ultimately ended up mostly teaching myself how to tattoo. From there I’ve worked in a private studio, a tattoo shop, and now a studio that I operate with another artist, called Ink & Ivy Tattoo in Rochester NY. I’ve been tattooing for almost 4 years.

I think the most exciting part about tattooing is getting to make something beautiful that will last someone’s whole life. The permanence of tattoos can be scary, but it’s also what makes the art form so powerful and unique. I tattoo mostly nature-related subject matter such as florals, botanicals, and fauna in a black and grey fine-line illustrative style. I just love the way florals and botanicals look on the body and the way they can complement anyone regardless of your skin tone or body type. I love to focus on contrast and attention to fine details in my work. I enjoy making pre-drawn flash designs as well as taking on custom tattoo requests.
I would say my brand really focuses on the beauty of nature and creating tattoos that will be beautiful no matter what the current tattoo “trends” are. Nature is timeless. Organic subject matter suits the body so well because we as humans are a part of nature too. I also focus on harboring a safe and welcoming space for clients to get tattooed. The experience is just as important as the tattoo — having a clean, fresh, and relaxing environment with chill music, snacks and drinks, and accommodations. I want everyone I tattoo to genuinely enjoy their experience.
My plan for the future is continue to learn more about my craft, sharpen my skills, and keep expanding the work I’m capable of making. I would love to eventually participate in some tattoo conventions and guest spots at other shops. I am always looking to improve my skills and connect with a bigger community.

Right now, I am soon to open my books for the spring and summer months. If you follow my Instagram at @jules.x.tattoo, you can stay up to date on my work, new announcements, and when my books are opening next! 🙂

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I think the most important skills you can have if you want to become a tattoo artist is consistent work ethic, self-motivation, and resourcefulness. You have to be passionate about this medium to keep yourself accountable for your progress. As any artist, no one can do the work for you. You have to practice and keep at it, even when it’s really difficult and you run into challenges. Reach out to others and ask for guidance, build a sense of community. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and critique your own work. The only way to get better is to figure out what you can improve on and then spend the time doing that. Dedicate yourself to the craft— what you put in, you will get out in return.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

This is a good question. It is always good to be well-rounded in any profession. With tattooing, it’s always good to have a basic understanding of different styles of work for example. You want to have an educated understanding of the history of tattooing as well. I think it’s smart to learn lots of different techniques and skills to broaden your toolkit. With tattooing, some artists prefer to tattoo lots of different styles and subject matter, some prefer to really hone in on one specific style. There is no right or wrong answer really. I find myself more in the latter category. I started out by tattooing lots of different things and trying my hand at different styles. That gave me helpful insight into what I liked or did not like. Once I knew I wanted to really focus on floral and botanical subject matter, I then focused all my energy on that. In my experience, I think that has been a really good thing for me. It makes my work more recognizable, and it makes it easier for clients to know exactly what to expect if they get tattooed by me. There is absolutely nothing wrong with dabbling in everything, but for me personally, I enjoy specializing in my style and subject matter. I love fine-line black and grey illustrative tattooing and nature, so I combined those two elements into what I do now.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jules.x.tattoo