Meet Victoria Jackson | Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Victoria Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Victoria, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I first began tattooing in 2013, and made it my life, attempting to commit most of my working hours to tattooing and being at the shop. Many people don’t realize that being a tattoo artist requires that you work long and sometimes irregular hours. Struggling with maintaining a work life balance and prioritizing my career, I took a long break from tattooing within a year of just getting started.

This year I went back to tattooing full time. However these days I am a Mom first and Tattoo Artist second, so maintaining a work life balance is incredibly important to me. I found a tattoo shop with hours that best fit my current lifestyle and also see the importance of prioritizing a work and family balance. I have committed to working specific days at the shop and schedule my appointments on these days only. I also only work on tattoo drawings during the hours I am in the shop, and do my best to respond to tattoo inquiries within the normal business hours. When I am not at the shop I do my best to make up for the time I spend away from my family by spending quality time together and homeschooling my young daughter.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have always been an artist but becoming a tattoo artist was never part of the original plan. I began my professional artist journey at the University of North Texas, I received my Bachelors of Fine Art in Studio Art with a concentration in Drawing and Painting. My goal was to become proficient in portraits and realism. During that time I began getting tattooed to cover visible self-harm scars I wanted to stop receiving negative attention for. I met Rich during a visit to Denton Tattoo Co, a shop near campus at the time. I shortly after began my tattoo apprenticeship under Rich Session in 2011 while still in college.

During my tattoo apprenticeship I was also attending college full time, and working 3 part time jobs. My work life balance during this time was nonexistent, work was my life and good grades were also still a high priority. In 2013 I graduated from UNT as well as finished my apprenticeship and began tattooing professionally. I only tattooed professionally for a short time after. I was struggling with prioritizing work and managing what became a drinking problem.

In 2016 I got sober and moved to Colorado for a change of scenery, and started a family. In Colorado I worked as a Therapeutic Art Life Coach at a women’s rehabilitation center and this was greatly fulfilling for me. I moved myself and my family back to Texas in 2021 and did freelance art as well as portrait commissions. With the support of my family I decided it was finally time for me to go back to tattooing in 2022.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Spending time in Colorado gave me a greater appreciation for nature and small business. Some of the MUST visit places in DFW are hands down Eiland Coffee Roasters, Bangkok City Restaurant, East Dallas Vintage Shop, and Arbor Hills Nature Preserve.

Eiland Coffee Roasters offers EXCELLENT coffee and excellent vibes by friendly baristas.

Bangkok City Restaurant is hands down the best Thai food in Dallas, in my opinion. The Basil Noodles are always my go to, but everything is amazing.

East Dallas Vintage Shop is a good mix of locally curated vintage, handmade, and art, and has a little bit of something for everyone.

Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is the perfect place to spend all day with the family, including the dog! They even offer ziplining and an adventure park area.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am most appreciative to my mentor Rich Sessions for giving me the opportunity to begin tattooing. In 2011 he took me under his wing as an apprentice. After many years out of the industry, I reached out to him early this year and he graciously helped me get back into the industry.

Website: https://linktr.ee/v.tattoos

Instagram: @cholitaunikorn.art