Today we’d like to introduce you to Winnie The Jroo.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
So I grew up in a very Mormon household, I’m the oldest child with 1 younger brother and 7 younger sisters, so I’ve always thrived as a protector and a leader. I’ve always been an artist, drawing and painting from a very young as, probably 3 or 4. I first took an interest in tattoos when I saw my uncle get some, which in a predominately LDS community, was very much a rarity.
I didn’t know anyone else with tattoos and was always taught that tattoos were curse marks, that they were a bad omen of sorts and it was a sin to ever get them, let alone DO them. They were the forbidden fruit. Although I had been taught that tattoos were “evil”, something inside of me drew me to their beauty and artistry. I couldn’t help but love them. I loved drawing and the idea of creating art for people seemed so personal and intriguing to me. after all, I’d always dreamed of being acknowledged for my art.
I started teaching myself how to tattoo as a young teenager in my parent’s basement, by watching youtube videos and experimenting with my brother and my friends. I was TERRIBLE at tattooing at first haha and found it so frustrating trying to learn on my own without guidance. I approached a few different artists in my area and was met with cold rejection. I was told that my art wasn’t good enough to persist along my journey. I was told that I didn’t have the kind of personality to make it in the tattoo industry. I admittedly let that stop me from seeking mentorship for some time and continued to teach myself.
I figured out some simple techniques and rules were tattooing as often as I could. At this point I was a teenage father, going to college full-time at the University of Utah playing Rugby, and working two full-time jobs. So the time I had to dedicate to my art was very limited. I knew that the fire that burned inside of me that fueled my passion to create needed to be fueled and nurtured. I knew I had to fully commit and I was scared at first. But that’s how I knew that I needed to run towards that fear head-on if I was to overcome myself and follow this dream through.
I quit both of my jobs and dropped out of school on the same day. I knew it was time. I felt it. As scared as I was I couldn’t let that voice of inner resistance stop me from finding out if I had what it took to be successful. I jumped in head first and was soon offered a job at a tattoo shop where I could finally be surrounded by other artists to learn from!
I soon started traveling to tattoo conventions and getting tattooed by artists I looked up to. I started attending seminars and educationals around the world, always staying true to that annoying kid who asks too many questions that I’ve always been. Always starving for knowledge. I’ve attended over 50 different classes and seminars, worked at dozens of world-class shops, won dozens of awards at tattoo competitions, and have recently opened my first tattoo shop, Olympus Tattoo, in Salt Lake City Utah.
I now own and operate two other tattoo-related companies. My first is Tatventure, which is the biggest tattoo giveaway in the world, in which I chose one winner every year to embark on an all-expenses paid getaway to a dream destination where I also give them a free masterpiece tattoo. The second project I run is The Olympus Art Institute, an online mentorship program where I mentor tattoo artists and teach what I’ve learned.
And I have learned so much… I’ve learned how to father my children with love and patience. I’ve learned compassion and empathy through presence and gratitude. I’ve gotten to hear people’s deepest most vulnerable stories and helped transform pain into beauty. I’ve learned to fall down and get back up no matter what.
I’m so grateful for the journey and the impact I’m able to create. And no matter where this wild ride takes me, I’ll always be that nerdy kid from Kaysville.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been so many challenges and obstacles along the way, both internal and external battles that I’ve had to overcome.
From being a young teenage father of two to a heartbroken divorced sad boi, stuck and withdrawn from the outside world into a cold cocoon of depression.
I’ve battled my inner demons through suicide attempts and severe isolation.
I’ve been lied to, robbed, abused, and beaten down many times.
And I’ve never been a victim. I’m grateful for all of the negative occurrences of my life because it has forged a mental fortitude that allows me to grow through any adversity.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Today, my tattoos are easily recognized by their surreal, dream-like visuals and innovative tattoo application techniques.
I am known for and specialize in what others would call surrealism. I like to call it UNrealism, because I like when people see my work and say “That shit is unreal.”
I also enjoy my versatility and like to shock people with curveballs, because I can do any style, I like to flex that versatility muscle quite often, so I’ll do all kinds of styles for fun.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Gratitude.
Aaaaand I also have a magic power… it’s my smile.
Pricing:
- $5,000 per day
Contact Info:
- Website: winniethejroo.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/winniethejroo
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tatventure
- Other: http://tiktok.com/@winniethejroo
Image Credits
Ethan Decker
