Tre’ Smith

When did you decide to become a tattoo artist?
That was when I was in college, around 2006, about the time that tattooing became legal in Charleston. I was going to the Art Institute and decided to take that direction after graduation.

What were you doing before you decided to become a tattoo artist?
I worked for a fresh cut vegetable manufacturer for about 5 years, then started computer programming after that ended. I wanted to use my artistic skills more and started taking up graphic design when I started at the art institute. That’s when I found my passion for tattooing.

How did you learn to tattoo?
Started my career self-taught. A few of my friends asked me to tattoo them knowing that I was an artist, I agreed to as long as they knew it was at their own risk. I learned a lot from mentors around me as I went along. I have been fortunate to work with a lot of really good artists.

What is your favorite personal tattoo, and does it have a story?
I don’t think I have a favorite necessarily, since I have a lot of great tattoos. I have my son’s name on my head, that probably has the most meaning to me.

What is the strangest tattoo you have ever done?
A bag of dicks… right on the front of a shin.

What is your favorite style or type of tattoo to create?
Illustrative style, or Japanese influence. Not necessarily traditional Japanese but Americanized that’s heavily influenced by Japanese style.

Tre’ Smith Portfolio: