JOJ Ep. 52 - Ink, Art & Energy: The Creative Drive of Jules Grace Tattoos

🎙️ The Journey of Jack - Episode 52

Title: Ink, Art & Energy: The Creative Drive of Jules Grace Tattoos

Guest: Jules Grace (@julesgracetattoos) – Tattoo Artist at Urban's Tattoo & Piercing Studio, North Arlington, TX
Recorded at: Urban's Tattoo Studio

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📍 Episode Summary

In episode "JOJ 52 - Ink, Art & Energy: The Creative Drive of Jules Grace Tattoos," Ben and Jack engaged in a vibrant conversation with Jules Grace, a talented tattoo artist at Urban Studios in Dallas-Fort Worth. Jules shared her journey from a teenage stick-and-poke enthusiast in New Mexico to a skilled realism artist, detailing her rigorous apprenticeship and the unregulated tattoo industry in Texas. We explored her creative process, from collaborating with clients to navigating trends like fine-line tattoos and cybersigilism, and delved into the cultural significance of tattoos, addressing stigmas, religious perspectives, and debates around appropriation. Jules’ passion shone through as she discussed the community at Urban Studios, the impact of social media, and her upcoming Sinner’s Tattoo Expo, offering insights into the evolving, inclusive world of tattooing with a mix of humor, honesty, and artistry.

 

Podcast Timestamps

• 00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome
  The episode begins with the host introducing Jules Grace, a tattoo artist at Urban Studios, Urban Tattoo, and Piercing. They express excitement about being at the studio and thank Jules for joining the podcast.
• 00:00:23 - Jules’ Background and Apprenticeship
  Jules shares that she has been at Urban Studios for five years, with three years post-apprenticeship. She explains the apprenticeship process, noting that Texas has no state-mandated hours or requirements, leaving it to the shop’s discretion.
• 00:01:18 - Texas Tattoo Regulations
  Discussion about the lack of independent licensing for tattoo artists in Texas, operating under a business license, and the importance of researching tattoo studios before getting inked.
• 00:01:37 - Jules’ Journey to Texas
  Jules talks about moving from New Mexico to Texas in 2019 for better apprenticeship opportunities, researching top studios in Dallas-Fort Worth, and choosing Urban Studios based on its reputation and proximity.
• 00:02:44 - Studio Environment
  The host describes the welcoming and distracting environment of Urban Studios, with movie theaters, music, and viral fail videos playing, making it a unique tattoo experience.
• 00:03:02 - Jules’ First Tattoo and Stick-and-Poke Experience
  Jules recounts getting her first stick-and-poke tattoo at 16 using insulin needles, highlighting the risks and her early interest in tattooing despite the unsafe method.
• 00:04:54 - Early Career Aspirations and Henna Tattoos
  Jules shares how she started drawing on herself at 12, launched a henna tattoo business at 15, and realized tattooing was her calling during long festival sessions.
• 00:06:51 - Henna Tattoo Origins
  Discussion about the cultural origins of henna tattoos in India and the Middle East, used in ceremonial contexts like weddings, and their popularity in Jules’ high school years.
• 00:07:56 - Client Relationships and Design Collaboration
  Jules explains her approach to managing client expectations, balancing their desires with realistic outcomes, and using honest communication to pivot designs when needed.
• 00:09:17 - Tattoo Design Considerations
  Jules discusses key factors in tattoo design, such as sizing, aging, composition, flow, and fit, emphasizing the importance of tattoos being legible and flattering on the body.
• 00:11:11 - Impact of Body Changes on Tattoos
  The conversation covers how drastic body changes (e.g., pregnancy or extreme muscle growth) can affect tattoos, while gradual changes typically don’t pose issues due to skin elasticity.
• 00:12:42 - Tattoo Durability and Injury
  A brief aside about whether tattoos can withstand injuries like scrapes, with Jules noting it depends on the depth of the damage to the skin.
• 00:12:59 - Apprenticeship Highs and Lows
  Jules reflects on the highs of securing her apprenticeship and starting to tattoo, and the lows of working 45–60 hours a week without income for nearly two years.
• 00:15:25 - Apprenticeship Ethics and Value
  Discussion about the controversy of unpaid apprenticeships, comparing them to college education, and viewing labor-for-knowledge as a fair trade for a potentially lucrative career.
• 00:16:35 - Evolution of Jules’ Art Style
  Jules describes starting with illustrative art, struggling with realism, and finding her niche in realism during her apprenticeship due to consistent practice.
• 00:18:16 - Tattooing vs. Other Art Forms
  Jules compares tattooing to other art forms, emphasizing the unique, collaborative nature of working on skin and the living, evolving quality of tattoos.
• 00:20:25 - Tattoo Trends Over Time
  Jules discusses micro-evolutions in tattoo styles, mentioning trends like “Let Them” lettering, fine-line tattoos, cybersigilism, and the resurgence of tramp stamps.
• 00:22:56 - Weirdest and Favorite Tattoos
  Jules shares her weirdest tattoo (a scorpion in an armpit) and favorite tattoos, including the host’s leg piece, a seahorse, and a recent pet portrait of a cat named Cooper.
• 00:24:47 - Turning Away Clients
  Jules explains her right to refuse tattoos that don’t align with her morals (e.g., swastikas) or style, and the benefit of referring clients to other artists at Urban Studios.
• 00:26:37 - Permanence of Tattoos
  The host reflects on the beauty and commitment of permanent tattoos, with Jules noting that laser removal (like Pete Davidson’s) is painful and costly but possible.
• 00:28:35 - Handling Nervous First-Time Clients
  Jules shares strategies for calming anxious clients, recommending they return when ready if unsure, and building trust through her portfolio and communication.
• 00:30:37 - Managing Client Movement During Tattooing
  Jules discusses handling client flinching, sharing anecdotes about minor mistakes (e.g., a dot tattooed on a finger) and how she adapts to movement.
• 00:32:43 - Guiding Clients on Tattoo Choices
  Jules explains how tattoos often end up suiting the client’s personality, and advises researching styles online (e.g., Pinterest) to find a starting point for consultations.
• 00:34:35 - Suggesting a Tattoo for the Host
  Jules suggests fine-line black-and-gray realism or bold American traditional tattoos for the host, reacting to his interest in Polynesian tattoos.
• 00:35:44 - Cultural Appropriation in Tattooing
  Discussion about whether tattoos from other cultures (e.g., Polynesian, Japanese) are appropriation, with Jules arguing that tattooing transcends cultural boundaries as a global art form.
• 00:39:20 - Jules’ Creative Process
  Jules describes designing tattoos under pressure, often the day before or morning of an appointment, after mentally processing the concept for weeks.
• 00:41:07 - Personalizing Tattoo Designs
  Jules tailors consultations to clients’ specificity, asking about references, preferences, and sometimes sketching to map out flow and placement.
• 00:42:45 - AI in the Tattoo Industry
  Jules discusses the mixed views on AI, noting ethical issues with using artists’ work to train AI, but acknowledges its utility as a tool for generating reference images.
• 00:45:46 - Tattoo Shop Community
  Jules describes Urban Studios as a supportive, family-like environment where artists share tips and refer clients to the best-suited colleague, avoiding competition.
• 00:47:18 - Tattoo Hubs in the U.S.
  Jules notes that major cities like Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, and New York have thriving tattoo scenes due to large populations, with no single U.S. “tattoo central.”
• 00:48:24 - Public Perceptions of Tattoos
  Discussion about people judging others’ tattoos, with Jules noting it’s less common now as tattoos become mainstream, though older generations may still criticize.
• 00:50:06 - Music and Tattooing
  Jules explores whether music influences her style, noting it helps with shading rhythm, and humorously suggests her tattoos might vibe with niche French grindcore/death metal.
• 00:52:49 - Handling Adverse Reactions
  Jules explains that nausea or lightheadedness during tattooing is often due to low blood sugar, addressed with snacks and drinks, and muscle spasms are normal.
• 00:54:13 - Medical Considerations and Unique Requests
  Jules mentions medical questionnaires for conditions like bloodborne pathogens and shares that some artists at Urban Studios tattoo genitalia, though she does not.
• 00:56:10 - Upcoming Tattoo Expo and Goals
  Jules discusses preparing for the Sinner’s Tattoo Expo, aiming to network with local and international artists, and her goal to improve techniques and efficiency.
• 00:56:57 - History of Tattooing
  A brief tangent on the ancient origins of tattooing, referencing Polynesian cultures and a tattooed mummy, though no definitive starting point is pinpointed.
• 00:58:51 - Guest Spotting and Travel
  Jules shares her goal to travel and guest-spot at other studios, noting that artists can sometimes show up with a portfolio without prior connections.
• 00:59:29 - Mobile Tattooing
  Jules confirms that mobile tattoo studios (e.g., vans) and convention-exclusive artists exist, though legalities vary.
• 01:00:12 - Social Media’s Impact
  Jules discusses the necessity of social media for visibility, despite its challenges (e.g., algorithms, time demands), and her dislike for the content creation aspect.
• 01:02:14 - Misconceptions About Tattoo Artists
  Jules addresses the outdated stigma of tattoo artists as bikers or misfits, emphasizing the diversity of people and styles in the modern industry.
• 01:04:17 - Tattoos and Religion
  Jules debunks the idea that tattoos are inherently bad in Christianity, citing Leviticus’ cultural context and the growing acceptance of tattoos in religious communities.
• 01:06:24 - Prevalence of Tattoos
  Jules and the host speculate that tattoos are now more common than not, with many surprised by the host’s lack of tattoos.
• 01:07:24 - Tattooing Hairy Skin
  Jules explains that hairy skin isn’t a major issue as it’s shaved before tattooing, but shaving post-healing enhances visibility, especially for detailed designs.
• 01:08:19 - Tattooing Intoxicated Clients
  Jules notes that some clients get high or drunk to cope with anxiety, but artists can refuse overly intoxicated clients for ethical reasons.
• 01:09:23 - Tips for Managing Tattoo Pain
  Jules advises being rested, hydrated, and well-fed to handle tattoo pain, which is generally tolerable for short sessions and less intense than acute injuries.
• 01:11:22 - Pain as a Rite of Passage
  The host and Jules discuss the pain of tattooing as a necessary, earned experience, fostering camaraderie among tattooed individuals.
• 01:12:51 - Branding and Body Modification
  Jules briefly touches on branding and scarification as extreme body modifications, noting some are illegal in Texas and more common in certain subcultures like fraternities.
• 01:13:56 - Jules’ Dream Tattoo
  Jules says she’d tattoo surrealistic portraits or animal-human hybrids if limited to one type, reflecting her love for realism and creativity.
• 01:14:25 - Advice for Aspiring Tattoo Artists
  Jules recommends pursuing an apprenticeship, developing strong drawing skills, building a portfolio, researching shops, and persevering through rejection to succeed.
• 01:15:34 - Closing Remarks
  The host thanks Jules for the insightful conversation, and the episode wraps up with enthusiasm for her future in tattooing.

📌 Follow Jules

📸 Instagram: @julesgracetattoos
📍 Urban’s Tattoo Studio – North Arlington, TX

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