Rising Stars: Meet Jessica Goldstein

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

Hi Jessica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m originally from Chicago, born and raised! I’ve always been into art and was in the magnet art program at my high school. At the age of 16, I started my tattoo apprenticeship at a neighborhood shop. The extension of trust that Kevin, the owner, and Nestor, my mentor, gave me changed my life. I’m extremely grateful that both my parents were actually supportive and encouraging the entire way through. Both my parents have extensive art backgrounds and were excited to see me utilize my art skills into a career. When I was 19 my family and I ended up moving down here to Durham. Shortly after, I started working at Dogstar Tattoo and was really able to excel there. Overtime, I’ve gotten to meet so many great clients and work with amazing, highly talented people. Before moving I had completed a year of fine art painting at IUPUI and after moving I ended up studying for 2 and half years at UNCG working towards a BFA in Painting. I was burning both ends of the candle for a while trying to balance both school and work. Kudos to everyone who does it and has done it! The first thing Kevin told me before offering me a tattoo apprenticeship was that painting is a tattooer’s medium. I always kept that in mind and made especially sure to pour what I learn from painting into tattooing and vice versa. So for me, working in a tattoo shop while also going to school complemented one another while allowing me to pay my own way through college.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s never a smooth road! But it’s important to learn and have perseverance along the way. Being a young woman in the tattoo industry wasn’t easy. People would doubt or second guess my abilities, knowledge, and opinions quite often. I am excited to see more women and people of color getting in the tattoo industry because it is long overdue. Being from Chicago you see and understand the extreme level of complexities and hardships young people go through. You get used to the everyday violence that happens there and just hope that it doesn’t hit too close to home. Leaving Chicago and being able to accomplish goals and prosper down here feels surreal at times. There are many young people back home who don’t get the opportunity to succeed or even the opportunity to leave. I constantly count my blessings on having been able to.

Most people don’t know about the amount of dedicated time and work it takes to become a successful tattoo artist. Most apprenticeships usually last 1-2 years and you don’t get paid. A five day work week usually means 50+ hours. That includes time tattooing in the shop along with getting home and working on drawings, setting up appointments, answering emails, DMs, posting on social media to promote your work, etc. In other words, the work doesn’t stop once you leave the shop.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a tattoo artist and a fine arts painter. For tattooing, I specialize in black & grey realism and neo-traditional. For painting, I like doing portraits or sculptures while adding in surreal or trippy elements. I think Durham’s/the Triangle’s size allows for artists to have a better opportunity to stick out. I am most proud of myself in the dedication, perseverance, and hard work I’ve applied through whatever obstacles, big and small, that I’ve encountered. I think what sets me apart from others is my character and wanting to consistently strive to push, challenge, and inspire myself with my tattoos and art.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Because of the city’s size, word of mouth for businesses, food, artists, etc. is insanely awesome! There’s a lot of kindness and inclusivity that people in the Triangle area strive for which I think allows for great opportunities and support.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.goldenmindtattoos.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/golden___mind/?hl=en

Image Credits
Sherwood Young
Janvier Coston