Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Ritacco.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story is one that begins with three incredible humans- my bonus dad, my mom, and my sister. When I was in grade school, my dad learned the trade of tattooing, and he and my mother opened their own tattoo studio, Hole in the Wall Tattoo”. This studio moved from Cape Cod, MA to Conway, SC, where my dad tattooed and my mom ran the entire studio. As year’s passed, my sister joined the team as a tattoo artist while I finished my Bachelor of Arts degree at CCU and then ventured into a different direction: fashion. However, the tattoo gene seems to run strong in our family because once my sister was ready to open her own studio, I left my job and moved to help her work on it with her. Since then, I’ve never looked back! I started as the manager of the studio, but quickly realized that I needed more. Once that realization struck, I began my apprenticeship. From there, I worked diligently on my craft under my sister’s mentorship and was able to become a full time tattoo artist. Once established in my new career, I crafted and developed my own blackwork style, grew a loyal clientele, and was able to create a name for myself in tattooing and the Myrtle Beach, SC area.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t believe any journey is ever smooth.. And I can say, without hesitation, mine was far from it. Early on, I struggled immensely with believing in myself, trusting my artistic talent, and feeling like I was forever going to be in the shadow of my sister. I felt that I didn’t deserve to be in the industry because it was “easy” for me to get an apprenticeship because it was a family trade. I believed that I was undeserving of such an incredible career and that I would never be able to live up to the self imposed pressures I felt on me. However, as I grew in the industry, I gained more confidence, forged my own path and artistic style, and mentally broke free from the “shadow” I felt from my sister’s talent. I also realized that even if it was easy for me to break into the industry, learning to tattoo was one of the most challenging things I had ever done and I earned the right to be where I was. Now, as a seasoned artist, I still struggle with bouts of imposter syndrome and feeling like I need to be better.. And I’m not sure if that will ever go away. But I’ve learned that it’s okay to feel that way, as long as I use it to push myself forward instead of to hold me back. I’m grateful for every challenge, every struggle, and every bump in the road. I genuinely feel I would not be where I am in my career today without them.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a female tattoo artist at Triple Threat Studios in Myrtle Beach, SC who specializes in blackwork tattoo’s. My style combines clean line-work, peppery shading, and areas of dark black solid fill. I pride myself on not only striving for the best work I can do in my tattoos, but for also creating an experience filled with true connection and care. I always say, getting tattooed by me is like hanging out with your homegirl who is filled with nothing but love and support. I live for lifting people up, for making people see the best in themselves, and for being able to permanently change people’s bodies in a way that will make them love themselves even more. I believe that my attention to detail, overall experience I provide, and genuine care I have for everyone who sits in my tattoo chair is why I am able to stay booked and busy and doing what I love.
I’m proud of the fact that I have overcome SO MANY trials and tribulations in my life and am still able to be a beacon of light for others through my tattoos and my heart. I’m also proud of the fact that I was approached and honored with a sponsorship from an amazing tattoo company, Helios Tattoo, only a few years into my career.
What I’m MOST proud of is not myself, it’s my parents and my sister. Without them, I wouldn’t even be doing this or having the belief in myself that I am capable of incredible things. I am forever grateful for them, proud of them, and in awe of the sacrifices they made that allowed for me to be where I am today.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Believe in yourself and your capabilities. Understand how difficult being a tattoo artist is, take it seriously, and treat every single tattoo like it is the last tattoo you will ever do. You are permanently changing someone’s body for the rest of their life, so if you don’t feel an immense amount of responsibility in knowing that and executing the best possible tattoo you can, you shouldn’t be a tattoo artist. ALWAYS be open to learn, respect the craft and where tattooing came from, and never settle for mediocrity.
I was fortunate enough to know so much when I was starting out because of being a part of the industry for over half of my life and having my sister, my mentor, guide me through some of the unknowns. But, I will say, I wish I knew how much tattooing would change my life, because if I did, I would have started even sooner..
Pricing:
- 200 per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jenntacotattoos.com
- Instagram: @jenntacotattoos
