Florida Tattoo Artist JEFF COVELL

BY SHANNAH LAUREN

Twisted Image Tattoo is an award-winning studio in Port

St. Lucie, Florida, approx. one and a half hours North from

Miami. The artists of the studio include Jeff Covell, Hiedi

Gotz, Nick Coffinas, Erek Lanier, Faith Helvey, Ryan Stonsifer,

Kacie Gauthier, and Angelica Perez. The team covers everything

from traditional, complex, black-and-gray, full color, etc. Covell is

not only one of the artists, but also the owner of both studios. He

has been tattooing for over twenty years, specializing in portrait

and realism. His portfolio contains pieces of which he has taken

an image and transformed it into a majestically realistic tattoo.

Love is for eternity, and what’s a better way of honoring love than

by carrying them with you for the rest of your life. Covell offers

this to you, while the studios he runs are very heart-warming and

family orientated. You couldn’t ask for a better environment at

Twisted Image Tattoo, as they make sure you feel right at home.

We were honored to be able to sit down with Covell, and hear

his story.

How do you find balancing a family and your job as a tattoo artist?

Balancing the two can often be tough especially since in

addition to being a tattoo artist, I run both of my shops as well.

I make it a point to have at least one weekend day off a week so

that I can do things with my wife, and children. We often go to

the beach or zoo, and just try to do anything that involves all of

us spending time together.

What do you find is different about your style or presence than just any other artist?

My style is actually pretty versatile. I pride myself on being

able to do pretty much anything the client asks for. I like being

able to take their idea or image and transfer it into a tattoo. I

really enjoy doing black and grey work as well as wildlife and

realism.

I make it a point to have at least one weekend day off a week so that I can do things with my wife, and children. “

Do you find that the other artists that you’ve employed at your tattoo shops have similar styles to you, or that you all are completely different?

No definitely not. All of my artists have their own unique

style, and I am glad it’s that way. I like that a client can come into

either of my shops, and actually find an artist whose style they

actually “vibe” with. It’s nice to have a variety of styles for clients

to choose from.

What inspired you in the first place to be a tattoo artist? And what pushed you even further to open up not only one, but also two shops?

Well I have been an artist my whole life, I always liked to draw.

My aunt Karen taught me art skills at a young age, which helped

me become a better artist. I dare to say perfect my technique

because even though I have been drawing, and painting my whole

life I like to think that I still have lots to learn, and I do continue

to learn everyday. When I was young and tattooing became

popular for my age group, my friends pushed me to get a machine

and “practice” so to speak on all of them. I have a few of those

skeletons in my closet but ultimately I got an apprenticeship at

a local tattoo shop when I was seventeen, since then it had been

my dream to have my own shop one day. Finally after years of

working here and there I took

a leap with the help of my

supportive wife and decided

to open my own shop. Our

first shop was so successful

that we decided to open a

second location and have been

growing ever since. Eventually

we plan to have several shops

locally in this area.

How would you describe your feeling right before you start a tattoo?

Believe it or not I feel a little

nervous as well as excited. I

always feel honored that the

person I am about to tattoo

has chosen me to transfer their

idea into an art piece that will

live on forever on their skin.

The most important aspect

when getting a tattoo is

getting to know the artist.

You look through their

portfolio, you see their style,

you get inside their mind,

and you connect through art.

You trust this person with

imprinting meaning onto

your life. Jeff Covell and

his team are worth looking

into if you are in Florida, or

will be making your way out

there.

You can find Twisted Image Tattoo at 2843 SW Brighton St, Port St. Lucie, Florida, or Twisted Image Tattoo Two 6797 S US Highway 1, Port St. Lucie, Florida.