Jessy Knuckles
Jessy Knuckles was born and raised
along the Eastern Shore of Mary-
land where she spent much of her
time outdoors exploring nature, rid-
ing horses, and drawing. This love of
wildlife and art stayed with her after
moving to Baltimore as a teenager.
Jessy is a self taught artist who paints
in oils and various artistic mediums.
She knew early on that she wanted
to be a tattoo artist, but no tattoo
shops would take her seriously. “It
was a lot more difficult for a female
to become a tattooer back then.”
She couldn’t find anyone to apprentice her, but that was not going to stop
her. With support from her stepfather who believed in her determina-
tion she started tattooing friends and family in their homes. In 2011 after
teaching herself, she went to a tattoo shop where they held local compe-
titions for inexperienced tattooers. There she caught the attention of Tony
Scientific, who later became her mentor and showed her how to tune ma-
chines along with other techniques. She began to work in different walk-
in style street shops.
As her skills broadened she moved from shop to shop.”Nothing was ever
handed to me and I had to work very hard to get where I am. I’m appre-
ciative of any support from friends and colleagues along the way, which
has helped me get where I am today.” Jessy knuckles is a contestant on
season 9 of Ink Master, and has won various awards. Starting from very
humble beginnings, she believes that with hard work and determination
anything can be accomplished. “I want to inspire and be inspired.”
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