Tattoo artist, painter, wordsmith
Joel Smith is a tattooer and painter and co-founder of Emporia First Friday. Over the years, he’s worked dozens of jobs around the country, learning new trades and pursuing the goal of supporting himself full time with an art job. Along the way he’s been somewhat successful as a semi-professional mural artist, ceramicist, sign-maker, screen printer, audio engineer, and blog writer while working as a studio painter. He’s much more focused on making graphic, tattooable imagery now, but he hopes to bring some other mediums back into his regular practice in the future.
His work has largely been influenced by his passion for ecology, psychology, philosophy, and comparative mythology. But in the end it’s a blue collar approach he takes to doing the work that is his credo. Something like Picasso said, ‘inspiration exists but it has to find you working’.
What do you make?
I’m currently best described as a tattooer and painter. Although up until I began tattooing I split my creative time equally between visual art and poetry/music.
Where and when did you learn your artistic abilities?
A lot of it is self taught, but I’ve had a lot of good teachers and mentors over the years. I’ve been pursuing art of some kind obsessively since I was a kid, and dedicating 40 hours a week or more to it since my late teens.
What inspires you or sparks your creativity?
The world is a curious place and this is a weird ride. I just try to grok the mystery as best I can while I chop wood and carry water.
What projects are you working on now?
I’ve got a group show at the Emporia Arts Center in February so I’m working on a whole batch of watercolors to procrastinate the large acrylic paintings I’ve started for that. I also draw for tattoos and tattoo 5 days a week.
What is your day like? How much do you sleep? What is your work schedule?
During my work week I put in about 10 hours of drawing and tattooing at work. Followed by 1-4 hours of drawing or painting. Days off I try to draw and paint as much as possible but probably average 2-8 hours each day. I sleep an average of 5-6 hours a night, ideally I’ll catch a 7 hour night every few days.
How many hours of creative work do you do in a day?
12 or more
What is the first work you ever sold, and for how much?
I have no idea.
When you start a new piece, where do you begin? What is the first step?
Notes. Thumbnails. Notes. Avoid said project with other projects. Start again.
How do you know when you’re done with a piece?
I usually set a couple primary goals and a few secondary goals. Once I hit most of them, I try to call it.
What music do you play when you’re making art?
Doom, sludge, jazz, instrumental hip hop.
Is there a meal you eat on repeat when you’re working?
Nuts and veggies.
Are you bingeing on any shows right now?
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
What is the weirdest object in your maker's space?
Probably the couch, even though it’s in the living room.
What’s the last thing that made you cry?
Watching Bill Moyer’s interview with Joseph Campbell a few months back and remembering how much it gave me direction in life at 19 years old.
What are you reading right now?
Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing run, Valiant Comics’ recent Ninja K run, Jared Diamond’s “Guns, Germs and Steel.”
What’s your favorite artwork by someone else?
Charles Willson Peale’s “The Artist in His Museum”, Saul Williams’ “The Dead Emcee Scrolls.”
Favorite thing about living here?
The people.
You can find Joel’s work at joelsmithtattoo.com, @joelsmithtattoo on social media, or at Syndicate Tattoo in Manhattan.