Today we’d like to introduce you to Seth Holmes
Hi Seth , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started tattooing in 2013 after working in the tattoo industry beginning in 2009, with managing the front desk of a local tattoo shop and quickly learning to do body piercings from there.
At that time, I was the singer of a metal band full-time. When that outfit disbanded in 2012, I knew that I had to do something quick in order to pay my bills. Since I had a passion for tattoos and tattoo culture since I was young, and having a great foot in the door with piercing & managing shops, I decided to dive head-first into the art side of the industry and move to a different shop in Pittsburgh.
I didn’t stop drawing until I earned the opportunity to apprentice at the shop. Since then I have had an obsession with becoming the best tattooer I can be.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing in life has ever been smooth. I grew up extremely poor and have had to make every opportunity for myself. I’ve never been handed a thing, so I have had to develop a work ethic to earn the things I want. Aside from the struggles of poverty and overcoming years-long substance abuse, this career can also be quite ruthless. The tattoo industry is one of the most independently and artistically minded industries in the world, and with that comes a lot of butting heads and confrontation. All of that aside, I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. Tattooing gives back as much as you put into it. If you work hard, put your head down, and aspire to be great you will be handsomely rewarded by your dedication to the craft.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
To be honest, I don’t have much of a speciality in my tattoo style. That’s what sets me apart from others.
’ve heard a few people refer to it as a “best of” style because I excel in both color and black & grey, as well as both illustrative and realism work. I don’t do it as way to try to please everyone because I know that is impossible. I feel like I enjoy almost every style of tattooing because that way it can never get boring to me. I’ve seen so many of my peers dive too deep into just one style and end up getting bored, or feeling like they plateaued, and I never wanted that for myself or my clientele.
I love ALL things tattoo, so I work as hard as I can to push creatively in as much of it as possible.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Email or Instagram is always the easiest way to get a hold of me. I’m always interested in collaborative ideas with artists and entrepreneurs from other industries.
If anyone would like to support my work directly, you can email [email protected] and set up an appointment to get tattooed through my amazing assistant. . Or you can contact me through @sethholmestattoo on Instagram if you’d like to buy an art print, T shirt, or other merchandise.
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