Meet Jessi Taylor of Queen Creek

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessi Taylor.

Hi Jessi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have always loved art and expressing my creativity through my work. I began my artistic career in Los Angeles as a fashion designer in 2007. I worked in the surf apparel industry for Roxy for a long time before moving on to head up a denim brand; In 2015, I started my swimwear brand and loved it! But the industry was changing rapidly, and my dream to design was quickly being shadowed by trying to keep up with trends and higher material costs. It was then that I knew I had to find another way to get back to being an artist. My husband, Zack Taylor, co-owned a tattoo shop at that time and although I was there nearly every day, I wasn’t ready to think about becoming a tattoo artist yet. Once we had our son, Zion, we decided to move back to Arizona, where we were both initially from. He worked at a shop in Scottsdale and bounced back from CA and AZ as he transitioned his career out here, and I watched him blossom as my company was sadly withering away. When the pandemic hit and all of my fabric was stuck on a ship for months, I knew it was a sign to close that chapter and start working towards joining my husband as a tattoo artist. He started teaching me the basics and let me tattoo my first little design on him, and although I honestly was crazy nervous, I knew this was a journey I was ready to take. I have been an apprentice for one full year and have been tattooing for 6 months, so yes, I am a baby Tattooer! But this line of work means so much more to me than simply tattooing. It means making special connections with my clients, it means working alongside my amazing husband, it means creating a happy and safe place where everyone is loved and welcomed, and it means being able to share my art with the world again!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Ha, no, smooth roads are boring anyways! This journey has been fascinating. I balance being a mom, wife, and artist and quiet honestly, beginning a new career in my late 30s has been mentally, emotionally, and physically challenging. Being a Tattooer is not easy on the body! Having supportive family, friends, and wonderful clients has been a blessing. I have learned that with art, you must keep creating and moving on to the next piece; if you dwell too long on a design, it eats away at you. I keep reminding myself that I am always a student, always open to new ways and techniques, and the road will always be full of potholes!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Right now, I am starting to find and create my style of tattooing. With my background in fashion design; I am gravitating towards designs that incorporate textiles and the female form. I also love designing animal and nature-inspired tattoos and am starting to mesh a neo-traditional version of tattooing with my own spin on it. My husband and I pride ourselves on creating a fun and easy tattoo experience. We have been building a new home in Queen Creek with a separate private studio that has a super fun modern Southwest mid-century vibe…including drinks, snacks, and our cute dog, Cashew! Both Zack and I are very open and welcoming and I love that we get to have our clients into our new studio for a unique experience.

What matters most to you? Why?
My family matters most to me, hands down. I probably don’t need the ‘why’ part on this one, but having a career where I can call my own time off and mold my schedule around my son’s activities and my trips with the whole family is a beautiful perk. All I want to do is work hard and play harder, that’s what the COO of Roxy told me to work towards all those years ago, and I took that to heart. Enjoy life to the fullest, follow your dreams, and make it happen!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jessitaylortattoo