Today we’d like to introduce you to Clay Smith.
Hi Clay, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey to becoming a tattoo artist started at Carver center for arts and technology in Towson where I graduated from the visual arts department. Shortly after graduating, I found myself suffering from homelessness after the housing bubble popped, while apprenticing under a private artist, to learn to tattoo. After 10 years of relentless persistence, working in Tattoo shops in the Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware area 6 to 7 days a week, I moved back to Baltimore to open my studio in Mount Vernon. 10 years after opening the studio has survived uprisings, Covid lockdowns, hyper inflation, fascist intimidation and every other crisis or adversarial condition you can think of and it’s still standing successful. I run it today myself as a private studio.
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 has not been a smooth road lol. Covid was the biggest challenge. As a new business owner at the time, dealing with a once in a lifetime crisis, it was very difficult. We shut down for three months and when we got back, there were heavy restrictions. All of our supplies cost 2 to 3 times as much and the industries expectations both for shops and artists were rapidly changing. The studio had to be very nimble and think on its feet for the next couple years as artists came and went and supplies continued to rise in cost. It also changed the way the Internet saw your work as algorithms began to change and gear towards advertising and clicks rather than quality of content and followers. The biggest hurdle today is the condition of the world at Large combined with a clout chasing Internet culture.
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?
When learning the Tattoo I was taught that one should know how to tattoo everything that came through the door. Over 20 years, that has morphed into a versatile style that combines realistic aspects with illustrative line work and traditional themes and motifs. I range from a neo traditional/new school styles to an illustrative realism and portrait style. I tattoo, a lot of trees, landscapes, animals, etc. my studio is appointment only and provides a quiet comfortable environment.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Determination, perseverance, quality of product, reliability, comfortability, and fairness. I’m a very principled person, and that comes across in my business and my work. I have an internationalist and egalitarian worldview and do my best to make sure all are welcome in my studio, except those who would make others feel unwelcome for who they are.
Pricing:
- I have a $200 minimum
- I charge $200 an hour
- The bigger the Tattoo, the better the deal
- I usually book out a few few weeks to a few months in advance
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mtvernonbodyart.com/index.html
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mvba_gallery?igsi=MTdmam9nb2xvNDBycg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr , https://www.instagram.com/mvba_clay?igsi=MXhzbHd0Zjl5eThiNw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DLfywsmwY/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/as1ElUerUG
