Business Spotlight: The Bridge Tattoo Studio
Business Spotlight: The Bridge Tattoo Studio
“I’m thankful everyday I’m doing something that I really like.” For most of us, that’s the ultimate career goal. For Drew of The Bridge Tattoo Studio, he found his perfect career, one which merged his interests in drawing and 3D art, with the help of a friend.
Growing up, Drew was surrounded by art. His father was an avid painter and illustrator. Drew loved to draw and make things too; he would paint murals in his bedroom and make mobiles. However, in high school, his focus shifted away from art and towards debate and science. Going into North Central College, he planned on going into a science-related field. After his first year and discovering what this career path entailed, he switched majors. Drew tried philosophy for a year before a friend encouraged him to take a few art classes.
From that point on, Drew was hooked and switched majors one last time. While studying art, Drew received encouragement from one of his professors to sculpt and loved it. He enjoyed working with stone and plaster, exploring their initial shape, and developing it down into a refined, abstract shape. After graduating in 1996 with a degree in art and art history, Drew didn’t have any job prospects.
The same friend who had urged him to take art classes in college, urged him to join him as a tattoo artist. In a move that shocked his family, Drew decided to give it a try. At the time, getting into tattooing was difficult; there were no easily available resources and professional grade equipment was hard to get ahold of. The only way in was to be taken in by an established tattoo artist or shop. When he started, Drew worked in a busy street shop. While this forced him to work in various styles, Drew appreciated that he was exposed to all those styles and that provided him variety in his work.
Today, Drew has his own private studio here at Mellwood. Clients typically contact him online, either through his site or Instagram. He discusses their project with them, meets with them, and then either creates a design or takes artwork from the client for a custom tattoo. While he does a wide range of tattoos, he enjoys intricate black and gray realism the most, often featuring natural subjects.
If you would like to see more of his work or book an appointment, check out Drew’s site at thebridgetattoo.com. You can also find him on Instagram at @drew_on_the_bridge.
“I’m thankful everyday I’m doing something that I really like.” For most of us, that’s the ultimate career goal. For Drew of The Bridge Tattoo Studio, he found his perfect career, one which merged his interests in drawing and 3D art, with the help of a friend.
Growing up, Drew was surrounded by art. His father was an avid painter and illustrator. Drew loved to draw and make things too; he would paint murals in his bedroom and make mobiles. However, in high school, his focus shifted away from art and towards debate and science. Going into North Central College, he planned on going into a science-related field. After his first year and discovering what this career path entailed, he switched majors. Drew tried philosophy for a year before a friend encouraged him to take a few art classes.
From that point on, Drew was hooked and switched majors one last time. While studying art, Drew received encouragement from one of his professors to sculpt and loved it. He enjoyed working with stone and plaster, exploring their initial shape, and developing it down into a refined, abstract shape. After graduating in 1996 with a degree in art and art history, Drew didn’t have any job prospects.
The same friend who had urged him to take art classes in college, urged him to join him as a tattoo artist. In a move that shocked his family, Drew decided to give it a try. At the time, getting into tattooing was difficult; there were no easily available resources and professional grade equipment was hard to get ahold of. The only way in was to be taken in by an established tattoo artist or shop. When he started, Drew worked in a busy street shop in Chicago. While this forced him to work in various styles, Drew appreciated that he was exposed to all those styles and that provided him variety in his work.
Today, Drew has his own private studio here at Mellwood. Clients typically contact him online, either through his site or Instagram. He discusses their project with them, meets with them, and then either creates a design or takes artwork from the client for a custom tattoo. While he does a wide range of tattoos, he enjoys intricate black and gray realism the most, often featuring natural subjects.
If you would like to see more of his work or book an appointment, check out Drew’s site at thebridgetattoo.com. You can also find him on Instagram at @drew_on_the_bridge.