Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Silva.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts in a small town called Brewster. I have loved art for as long as I can remember, My stepdad came into my life when I was 7 years old and he used to tattoo as a side job, mostly friends and family, when he wasn’t working full time in his dental lab. I fell in love with the art form of tattooing when I first began designing pieces for him around the age of 12. I knew from then on that I wanted to be a tattoo artist. They both quit their jobs in 2001 and opened Hole in the Wall Tattoo, where they worked until 2005. During a vacation to South Carolina, they saw the laws changing to legalize tattooing so they moved, along with my sister, to Conway and reopened their studio in 2006.
A year later I followed to be close to them. I had loosely started my apprenticeship with him when I was 16, but continued to learn from him all through college until I was 23, when I began tattooing full time at their studio. I learned all styles, taking anything that walked in the door to try and fill my skill set with as many techniques as possible. Over the years, I realized that my passion was realism, both black and grey and color. I love doing darker imagery, utilizing contrast and form, as well as incorporating several styles into one piece, mimicking the mixed media I love to do in 2D art.
When I was 29, my husband was accepted to work on a PhD, so we moved to the Upstate of South Carolina, where I decided to open my own tattoo studio. With the help of my biological dad, as well as my sister who moved across the state to come and help me open, Just Another Hole in the Wall Tattoo was born; the name an homage to the man that taught me the art form.
After 6 years renting the original studio location, I was able to buy my dream building and renovated it to be the studio we call home. We have been in this location for almost 3 years and continue to grow in the most wonderful ways. There are now 6 resident artists, including myself, my sister as a traveling guest artist, an apprentice who will be full time in February, 2027, and the most fabulous manager who keeps the ship moving forward. I love tattooing more than I ever have and am beyond grateful for all the people who have been put in my life that continually support my wild ideas for growth and change.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been some bumps along the way, as there always are when chasing a dream. Before I found the original location, it didn’t look like I would be able to find a building that would adhere to the strict guidelines set forth by the Department of Health in South Carolina for tattooing. Thanks to a fabulous real estate agent, Catherine Hamby, the studio we had the first six years was found by driving around and calling anyone that would answer.
Upon purchasing the building we are in now, we had several changes with artists leaving for different opportunities that led me to fear who would ultimately inhabit the much larger location I was investing my entire life savings into. As it usually does, though, life had a way of showing me that everything that happened was meant to be.
Renovations to the building were extensive and very expensive, draining my bank account and my energy, ultimately landing me in the hospital—my own doing. Apparently you should wear masks while painting, cleaning mouse droppings, stripping floors, laying baseboard, pouring chemicals, and working in a building that was once a lab used for scientific discoveries and ample chemical concoctions. Yet again, this taught me way more than it could have ever taken from me and I am now beyond grateful for my health and do not take anything for granted.
I had my first child within the second year we were open, which presented its own unique challenges, considering my husband was also amidst his PhD program and we had no family within 4.5 hours of where we lived. Again, though, life granted us friends that became family and helped us raise our daughter while also maintaining the business and also getting my husband to graduation.
I have since had my second child, which came about through IVF; a journey not for the faint of heart. Through endless shots and hormonal shifts, I continued to tattoo and run the studio, all which could not have been done without my incredible staff of women who loved and supported me throughout, and worked their butts off the whole three months I was out on maternity leave. I am eternally thankful for each other them, and the immense support from my husband and family.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a tattoo artist that specializes in black and grey and color realism. I love to get as close to hyper realism as possible, while also blending the other styles I have learned over the years to create a mixed media look to any flash I design. I would think that I am known for being able to bring people’s visions to life in a realistic way, then translating that to skin for people to wear as a badge of self confidence and pride. I love seeing people become who they have always wanted to be through the art of tattoos.
I am most proud when someone comes to me after wearing their tattoo and expresses how they have never felt more like themselves. Watching someone stand a little taller, experience life happier, and live with an air of confidence they never before possessed, is truly the greatest blessing of this career. I have met some of the most incredible people over the years and learned so much about people in a very authentic way.
I’m not sure if it sets me apart, but my passion and love for the art of tattooing has continued to grow each and every year in such a way that I yearn for tattooing when I am not creating. I feel so lucky to have been given the gift of tattooing as a career.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the hometown feel of Pendleton. It is such a beautiful community that strives for better, but also wishes to maintain the history of the place. I have been so pleasantly surprised by their willingness to accept a tattoo studio in their community, as there are many I have encountered that do not wish to do so. We were flooded with love and support when I purchased the building and moved our space from Anderson and I love getting to meet other local business owners that are all just trying to do what we are, and that’s bring joy to people in town. Being from a small town myself, it brings so much joy to me and all my ladies at the studio the number of small businesses are able to thrive here thanks to the endless patronage of the locals. I cannot speak highly enough about our community.
It has been a little trying to see how many trees have been torn down to make way for more housing, but at the same time, it shows growth in the community, so I am torn. My hope would be that local businesses are able to continue excelling even when more franchised companies enter the town.
Pricing:
- Our pricing is hourly, and each woman at my studio prices differently based on their experience level.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.Justanotherholeinthewall.com
- Instagram: @justanotherhitw
