Daily Inspiration: Meet Jessica Tomcheck

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Tomcheck.

Hi Jessica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been an artist – ever since I discovered a crayon, I was drawing. It took me quite a while to realize that I could be an artist professionally. Whether it was the stigmas of being a “starving artist”, the judgment of family members, or the level of my self-esteem, a career in visual arts seemed out of the cards for me.

Instead, I got my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and worked in Poudre School District’s Integrated Services for about 5 years. The kids I worked with taught me a lot over those years – one of the biggest of which was to live authentically and unapologetically. They called me out. How could I tell them they should pursue their dreams when I was settling for less than mine? So, I left.

It was around the start of the pandemic when one of the most talented artists in Fort Collins posted about an apprenticeship opportunity, and I jumped on it as soon as I could. I spent a year learning under Caleb Knobel at his studio, Heart & Skin and fell in love with everything about tattooing. I’ve been a resident artist there ever since, which is a little over two years now.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Who has had a smooth road to success? I’d love to meet them, haha.

Of course, there have been incredible challenges along the way. I’d say the biggest obstacle was my internal dialogue. For years, I had told myself that I wasn’t good enough, that pursuing art was somehow less of an accomplishment, and that I would lose my passion if I turned it into a career. Fear held me back more than anything – and it was the most difficult thing to overcome.

Another significant challenge was being patient when it came to finding an apprenticeship. At first, I was just so excited that I was willing to work at any shop that would have me. This changed when I met Caleb. He showed me that as a tattoo artist, you CAN have standards for how your shop/studio is run, contrary to what I had been told many times by many artists.

I don’t have to accept sexism or hazing just because “that’s the industry, babe.” It took a while to find someone I respected and trusted enough to work under, but it was the best decision I could have made.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a tattoo artist in Fort Collins! I specialize in what I like to call “black and grey illustrative realism” – which means I try to get my tattoos as realistic as possible while bringing some creative flair into the designs.

This could be something whimsical like a bumblebee carrying a dinner plate, surreal like a woman’s head bursting into flowers or a mashup of your favorite things. I’m also known for my realistic landscape and animal portrait tattoos.

I’m most proud of my attention to detail when it comes to my tattoos. It’s definitely what sets me apart as an artist – which is crucial in a city with so many shops and studios all over the place. I’m a perfectionist in nature, so getting every dot and line is my priority.

Any big plans?
You’ll have to stay tuned!

What I can say is – yes, there are big plans for the future.

As far as what I’m looking forward to? I’m looking forward to continuing to learn and grow as an artist in Fort Collins – not just in my craft, but within the community and industry. There are so many talented artists out there that I’d love to connect with and pick their brains.

There are so many opportunities to improve a method or to learn a new technique. These things make me incredibly excited for the future of my career in tattooing.

Pricing:

• My current hourly rate is $150/HR with a 1 HR minimum.
• I ask for a $100 deposit upon booking.
• The deposit is deducted from the total cost of the tattoo session.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jessicalynntattoos.com
• Instagram: @jessicalynntattoos