Jesse also told us more about sources of inspiration that have influenced his work significantly: “M.C. Escher was a big influence when I was younger and just starting out. I always loved how his work sometimes looked simple at first glance, but then as you dive deeper, you start to see that his work was very planned out.
For tattoo-specific inspiration, there were a lot of amazing artists that I loved, but I really admired Josh Duffy and Victor Portugal’s work. Their tattoos showed me how powerful negative space can be to create depth and dimension. Guy Aitchison was also someone whose work I admired. I loved how he could use different line weights and shading techniques to create flow and dimension. I wanted to find a way to incorporate that but with my own spin on it.”
The tattoo artist explained to us what his creative process looks like: “I love the idea that we are all part of the universe. We all ‘wear’ our unique sense of self; our ego on the outside, but inside we are all part of something much bigger. Usually, my themes revolve around that core concept."
Jesse continued and told us how he designs the new tattoos: “I start with a clear image of where the tattoo will be placed, considering how it will move and interact with the body. This initial step is crucial for ensuring the tattoo not only looks good but also fits perfectly on the body. From there, it's a matter of building the design from the outside in, focusing on composition and movement to create something that feels like it was always meant to be there.”
Lastly, the tattoo artist shared with us more details about one of the most memorable projects he’s worked on: “One project that stands out is my first 3-D tattoo, which I did for a close friend. I was transitioning to a private studio to focus more on my personal art. He wanted a design that incorporated space and geometry, which I thought would work perfectly with my new direction. I loved how the tattoo came out but I wasn’t sure how other people would like it. When I put it out there for the internet to see, it got a lot of attention and really helped me shift towards this style, opening up new opportunities for my work.”
