Jared Stomber always knew a corporate job wasn't for him. At an early age he realized that tattoos were his passion, and he wanted to make a living creating them while traveling and meeting like-minded people.
A real college experience was high on his list of goals, and earning a degree in art that he could apply to his real-world aspirations would be a key to his success as a tattoo artist. It was a long road that began at a community college in New York and a transfer to Hillyer College, which was the opportunity he needed to get his foot in the door. After a year at Hillyer, he transferred to Hartford Art School. He first majored in graphic design before changing his major to illustration.
“The professors were extremely knowledgeable. They gave me the tools I needed to take any imagery I had visualized and build it onto a piece of paper,” said Stomber.
After graduation, Stomber felt a sense of pride in his solid portfolio and all he had learned. He moved to New Jersey and started a business decorating children’s rooms, but he knew it wasn’t what he was meant to do. With his love for tattooing still in the back of his mind, he decided to take advice from his younger self. Once again, he was back on his bike, riding to local tattoo shops trying to sell flash sheets.
He soon landed an apprenticeship at a local tattoo shop. After building his portfolio and gaining the experience and visibility he needed, he eventually started tattooing. Over his 20-year career, he has worked at four different shops and now has his own private studio in East Meadow, New York.
“I wouldn’t change it for the world,” said Stomber. “I really believe I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t get the solid foundation that I got from the University of Hartford. Not only as an artist but on a personal level as well.”