We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Sutton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.
Jennifer, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
I keep an open mind and a sense of wonder. Inspiration can come in any form, from the way a sunset splashes colors across the sky to the way a lyric from a song can make you feel. Expressing yourself through art for yourself or for someone else can bring a sense of fulfillment and purpose that so many spend years searching for. I get to put a price of myself into every project that I take on. Although my art is not just for me I find that I am influenced and inspired by so many others. From my clients to the artists that came before me.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
In 2008 I started my tattoo apprenticeship at Ship Shape Tattoo in San Pedro California. I was able to learn the art of tattooing by tattooers that I admired. I was apprenticed by the shop owner, Jeff Theilman and mentored by my tattoo artist and friend, Peter Campbell.
They taught me the fundamentals of tattooing design and application and tattoo machine building and maintenance. I learned the importance of tattooing history and how it brought us to where we are currently in tattooing.
I was able to take that knowledge of the craft and apply it in my working life to hone and advance my technique.In 2020 I opened my own tattoo shop, Above the Bar Tattoo with my husband, Nick Urbanovit, who also tattoos. We have been operating our business together for just over 4 years.
My shop is in Gardnerville Nevada, in the historic district, on Main Street. With the shop we have involvement in so many community events where we get to meet and support our locals in many ways. From fundraising to outreach and support for our many community programs.
Tattooing has given me a living working with many different people from many walks of life. It has brought people into my life that have become lifelong friends, from clients to coworkers or colleagues.
I get to help people through some of their own life challenges by commemorating an achievement or memorizing a loss.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I’ve always looked at tattooing as one of the oldest art forms or craft that humans have been practicing. I think that the study of tattoo history has made clear the importance of those that have brought this art form to the public masses. There’s a lot of hard work put into developing a career in tattooing. One thing that I was told early on in my career, was to keep your head down and do the work that it takes. I took that to mean that if I kept on with my studies and artwork and I did my best at the tattoo that was in front of me, then I might be able to be successful at tattooing. I know that if I kept at it day in and day out , that I could eventually make a living doing something I cared about so much.
Respect for those that have been tattooing in the past. Those old guys really went round and round trying to get us to a point of acceptance. Where as it had been looked down on and considered for criminals and unsavory characters for so very long.
I believe that taking a traditional tattoo apprenticeship was the best thing I could have done to get started on this journey. I was taught and learned so much from seasoned artist that have put in the work to build their own tattoo careers and that is what I worked for and achieved from them. I earned the knowledge that was shared with me by being in the tattoo shop daily, I was leaning how to run a shop, build a clientele, make a good tattoo, and maintain my equipment.
I am so grateful for the time that was invested in me during my tattoo apprenticeship and all the knowledge I gained to put me on the path of tattooing.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
The client is so important to me. It’s the client that keeps me in business. Anyone that comes through the doors and trust me enough to sit in my chair is worth so much to me and my success and my career.
I love that people will trust my knowledge in what makes a good tattoo and a tattoo that will last and age well. I am honored to be chosen to do the job, even when it’s smaller tattoos. Even when it’s something they have seen on the internet, or even when it’s some kind of trending fad, as long as we can do it in a way to ensure the longevity, I am pleased to do the tattoo. I often give my advice when someone inquires about a design that they want that may not hold up that well or last that long. I think tattoos are supposed to last and age with you . When the client trust the process and allows creative freedom it makes me so happy. I think I’m fortunate to have great clients that believe in what I do and allow me to do what I love.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: @Tattoosbyjennifer
Image Credits
Jennifer sutton
