| English born, I absorbed all aspects of British culture, most importantly music, before moving to New Zealand at a tender age. Growing up in New Zealand, I was exposed to a very unique education. Tattooing having the history it does there, sparked my interest early and after meeting Dean Parkin from Sacred Tattoo, my path was set. Hanging around Sacred with Dean and Dan Andersen was the best thing to happen to me. I took my first machine aquired from Adam Craft and what i had observed over the years of getting tattooed and applied it to what i knew i had to do. Moving to Australia in 2001 and meeting Shep and Gomer, I was asked to start in my first shop The Body Art Shop in Adelaide,SA. This was where i got my tattoo footing and quickly and thankfully was able to stay busy tattooing a style i loved, yet always having the diversity of what working in street shop asks of you too. Being heavily involved in playing music from a young age also made traveling easier and i was able to take tattooing with me. After Meeting Jim Miner, Daniel Albrigo and Kat Von D the previous year, and remembering their extended invitation of being able to work along side them a little more permanently, it was all i needed. In 2004 I decided to make the huge move to California. Working at Inflictions in Arcadia was my first taste of tattooing on American soil and I again, was able to stay busy and work side along stand up artists. In 2006, now spending all my time in Orange County, I started working at Eric Maaske's Classic Tattoo with Tim McAlary, Tom Moser, Colin Dowling and other greats. As my band got busier I travelled consistently, tattooing on the road from the back of the van, to lush hotel rooms and everything in between. When home, I spent alot of time tattooing out of my private studio in Santa Ana, and of course frequent visits to Goldrush Tattoo in Costa Mesa. Mid 2008 after returning from a tour and visiting ex workmate and friend Kat Von D, I was asked to join the High Voltage team in Hollywood and I accepted. I have been there ever since, but still make time to visit the people who have helped me along the way, and of course guest spot and attend conventions everywhere. I enjoy tattooing all styles, and am always attracted to a challenge, but prefer western traditional, solid colour, heavy black, tattoo looking tattoos. Loving husband to Skully. Father to kittens Veil and Ashes(mental). I ride Vespas and will one day fly a hot air balloon. I like Indian food and red licorice (not together). Thank you for visiting and reading. |
| Here are some things people said about me... "Tattooing has a strong past and an even stronger future. It has held up this long because of the respect and passion of previous tattooers of our time. The torch will remain lit and carried through dark times and light, with the help of Dan Smith. His name is synonymous with quality, class and integrity. Dan Smith is an important figure in tattooing today and his tattoos will stand the test of time". - Daniel. E. Albrigo "When i think of Dan i think of the best first date ive ever had. Vegan dinner, an Erasure concert and an 80's cover band after. Very few people have what it takes to appreciate the finer things. Dan is one of them". - Davey Havok "Aside from being one of the most straight forward, clear headed and even keeled people ive ever met, Dan is a versatile and sure-handed tattooer. Plus, he's got excellent taste in fashion and music, is handsome, well spoken and smells good. It makes for a good combination. I'm proud to say he's my friend". - Lindsey Carmichael "Dan Smiths tattoos are like smelling Jackie Onassis's pillows. Filling your brain with such joy that you want to break your head off and serve those beautiful feelings for a delicious dinner party with all your closest loved ones!" - Matthew James Matheson the 1st "Unmistakenly kind, a gentle soul who's pursuits are pure and honest. Sincerity is always the premise for his entrance into any room or conversation, Dan was born without the weakness of selfishness. I find our engagements to be both a blessing and a revelation into what friendship and humanity can do to one's soul. In allowing me the grace to write about such a man, it is hard to capture the individual who's presence is better experienced in person rather than on paper. I hope those who come into contact with Dan Smith may have the willingness and openness to share in this rare exception to the everyday man." sincerely, Eric Christopher Jones. B. 7-18-1978 |
