Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Tricomi.
Hi Joe, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started getting interested in tattoos when I was 16, living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with my mom and stepdad. My mom had found a great artist named P.L. Serrano at Rockabilly Tattoo, who eventually did an entire back piece on my mom. I was fortunate enough to get to watch and hang out at the shop, and it was then when I realized that this was going to be a big deal for me. I ended up going to Ringing College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, where I studied Illustration and eventually graduated in 2010. After graduating, I moved out to Dallas, Texas to be closer to my siblings while they were growing up and going through school. I then worked as a graphic designer at a local print company called One Hour Business Cards and learned a ton about graphic design for the print industry. After a few years of doing that, I was able to get an apprenticeship at Legacy Arts Tattoo and worked there for almost five years. Since 2017 I’ve been working at Rebel Muse Tattoo in Lewisville, but my wife and I are both extremely excited about moving to Round Rock in May of this year to work at Deep Well Tattoo, a shop built by my good friend and former coworker, James Corgill.
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?
I don’t think it’s ever been a truly smooth road, but it is way smoother now than it used to be. Starting a tattoo career has been the most challenging and rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. For one, tattoo apprenticeships are usually unpaid. To survive, I kept my day job doing print design and worked at the shop at night. My usual work day was 8am-10pm between both jobs, but I often stayed late at the shop to work on drawings and paintings. On weekends, I worked at the shop from noon to midnight, and between both jobs I didn’t have a day off. It was a rough year for sure, but I luckily made it through and “graduated” to being an artist. Even though my apprenticeship was over, I still had very little clientele at the time. The first few years were touch and go, for sure. Had a lot of sleep for dinner!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been tattooing for nine years now, and I specialize in custom full color illustrative work. I also enjoy doing cover ups! I am heavily influenced by 80s & 90s video games, pop culture, music and movies. I’m honestly just a big nerd! The best part about my job is geeking out all day long with fellow nerds, getting art inspired by their favorite things in life.
I’m most proud of the fact that the majority of my clientele have been both my clients and friends for years now. I appreciate all of the trust and support they’ve given me over my career!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If anyone is looking for nerdy tattoos, terrible dad jokes, and mediocre karaoke, I’m your guy!
Contact Info:
- Email: Tricomiart@gmail.com
- Website: www.tricomiart.com
- Instagram: Jtricomi
- Other: www.deepwelltattoo.com
