By Lindsey Storrs
Graphic and tattoo artist Jerri Lee James, owner of True Love Art and Tattoo, visited Ms. Donna Baxter’s Digital Media Technology classes to speak to the students about graphic design. Ms. James has worked in graphic art for almost 30 years in many capacities.
Ms. James developed her interest in art at a very young age and spends most of her time drawing, painting, and sometimes airbrushing any surface that catches her eye. She has done graphic design for major signage companies in Hattiesburg and Picayune, and she began tattooing “on a whim.” It was an unexpected career change, but it has been her favorite career in art despite the difficulties that sometimes come with the industry.
Many people dislike tattoos due to religious or personal beliefs. They tend to have a negative connotation to them, but what those people do not understand is that tattooing has been around for over 5,200 years. There is a vast history of tattooing as an art form, and many famous and royal figures, alive and dead, have been tattooed.
Ms. Baxter’s students were very attentive and interested in learning of the modern art workforce and asked Ms. James many questions which she answered thoroughly and effectively. She is proof that graphic art/design is a tremendous field that can take you anywhere.
