Check Out Jef Kopp’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jef Kopp.

Hi Jef, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I started getting tattoos when I was in art school and, although tattooing wasn’t even close to being the popular medium it is today, I realized it was the direction I wanted to go pretty quickly. That was in the early 90s in Baltimore and I moved to Denver in late ’93 to begin my career. I did my apprenticeship at a now-defunct shop called the Emporium of Design and moved kinda early to Twisted Sol, then Trinity Tattoo.

Then I started Think Tank and ultimately left with two of my current friends and co-workers, Fish and Adam to be at Little Black Church which Fish started in 2019 and where we currently are with four other awesome artists. It’s been an incredible journey and I’ve had the privilege of working beside a ton of great people and super-talented artists at all of those shops. I have to say though, I’m more fulfilled and happy now than ever.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It’s been mostly smooth, although when you get a bunch of creative personalities in one space there’s always going to be some friction. I did learn by opening Think Tank that I’m not good as a leader or at a business. I’m much more comfortable letting my right brain lead the way. The struggle isn’t bad though. I’d say it only helped to put me on the path I’m on now, and that’s a-ok with me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Early on I became known as a guy who could do portraits and at the time that was pretty rare. As I said, back in the early 90s tattooing was much different and the talent pool was much shallower. That being said, the thing that sets me apart, maybe, is that I like to play with color and with light and shadow. I don’t know that that’s rare but it defines my style.

A few years ago I started doing what most of my clients have called demons, but to me, they were and still are just texture exercises and that’s easier to play with when using grotesque figures so to me they’re just monsters or whatever. I don’t buy into all the devil mumbo jumbo.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
The list is long. First I’d have to start with Fish because we’ve been working side by side for 21 years now. He’s a great friend, a talented artist, and a joy to work with when he’s not on the phone. My friend Luke Schmaltz is probably my biggest cheerleader and has been so since the very beginning. He’s not only been a big advocate for my art and career but he’s also had my back through some scary health issues through the years and I’m undoubtedly only alive because of him.

When I started at The Emporium, Tom “Grandpa” Hale taught me more than anyone else, and also during that time a dude named Mr. Max at Route 66 in Albuquerque taught me a ton about black and grey tattooing. When Twisted Sol opened I’d say Mike Nickels and Alicia Cardenas took me out of the street shop environment by making the shop more based on custom artwork than anything. That was new at the time. Everyone who had faith in Think Tank in the beginning. It was a rocky start but that was also new at the time and it has become something cool.

I have quite a few clients who’ve been getting tattooed by me for 20+ years. I’m super grateful for that! *Tattooing bears a lot of responsibility since it’s permanent, so I’d say everyone who takes that leap of faith and trusts me with their body deserves credit too. I’d also point out Denver’s extensive creative community. The music scene here is bananas and I’ve had the pleasure of working with a bunch of amazing bands on artwork.

Contact Info:

• Website: littleblackchurch.com
• Instagram: @jkopp66
• Facebook: @jef.kopp
• Spotify: @devil66tail