Primarily from northern California, lifelong artist Jenn Ponci spent much of her youth moving paint around the United States. After studying under artist/teacher David Ewing for four years in Sacramento, she moved to Seattle, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Portland and North Carolina. Immersed in a variety of cultures, she often participated in art shows and street-art collaborations. In 2009 she returned to the golden state to learn the trade of tattooing.
Ponci apprenticed at Sub Q in Sacramento with Mikey Dwitt, where she executed the first known watercolor style piece on skin, and moved to Grassvalley, California to work for Cory Norris at Classic Tattoo. Several years were spent there until she relocated to a female owned and operated shop in Sacramento, Side Show Studios. Mentored by shop owner Char Hall, Ponci focused on painting, curating shows, organizing community fundraisers, painting murals, and traveling to tattoo conventions.
In the last decade, Jenn helped pioneer one of the first all-female street-art and skateboarding crews in the world. She collaborated on large mural productions across the US, including Virginia, Miami, Seattle, Oakland and Sacramento. She curated for Maverique Style House, Spanish Fly Hair Garage, Crushed VLVT alongside other 5-star salons in Sacramento, while painting solo and collaborative murals, showcasing work in various venues, and organizing community events for positive social causes.
After moving to Paradise to care for family, Jenn was fortunate they escaped the campfire. During the pandemic, the rebuild and recovery took some extra time. Fortunately, she is now back working from her home studio, and happily taking on new custom projects.
“I’ve spent my life making art on different planes and for different purposes. In tattooing, each piece is a collaboration, where I am trying to manifest the intentions of the individual, while making sure the aesthetic enhances their appearance. Many artists and muralists would love to paint their own ideas. I love variety, working with people, and bringing each person or group’s idea come to fruition.” -Jenn Ponci
Jennponciart@gmail.com
