Meet Jessica Burridge | Tattoo Artist and Owner of Feral Forever Tattoo

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Burridge and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was about fourteen when I knew I wanted to be a tattoo artist; and with that I always knew I wanted to run my own shop.
I’ve tattooed in a few different shops around Denver over the years, traveled to other states to work in shops and at conventions, and tattooed internationally. Ive been checking things off my goal list and the one I have been dancing around for a little while… opening my own shop- well it became extremely obvious what was to come next for me.
I would consider myself a “lifer” – from the womb to the tomb; my headstone would probably still say “books open”. I’ll most likely be tattooing until I physically can’t; So it was time to set my own roots and settle in somewhere where’ll I’ll be able to continue tattooing for hopefully many years..
July 2025 also marks my tenth year of tattooing, I always felt you should have a good amount of experience and time under your belt before jumping into running a shop; and to me even though ten years feels like a blink of an eye, I could not have been more excited to start this new journey in my tattoo journey.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts; and I started my tattoo apprenticeship a few years later in 2015;
I was working part time at a medical office, doing 4/10’s there and then would work at the shop the rest of the week. I would go home and draw every single day after working at the office or working at the shop. I apprenticed for about a year before I was able to start working the floor.
Those first couple years were a blur, I was basically taking anything that walked through the door; started establishing clientele, making custom designs…. working enough that I was able to quit my medical office job.
I basically felt like if I wasn’t tattooing or drawing, I wasn’t doing enough to reach my goal. I was hungry, all I wanted was to get better at tattooing. And it didn’t matter what it was, I saw every tattoo as an opportunity to hone my skills in something related to becoming a successful tattoo artist.

It definitely wasn’t easy, it still isn’t easy.
I still go home and draw almost everyday, i still consume so much tattoo and drawing content hoping to absorb some morsel of information that I can use in my next appointment.
New challenges present themselves all the time in the tattooing world, I wish I had a better answer for how I over came challenges but the truth is that I just had to. I never had any fall back, no back up plan. Not to mention the personal embarrassment I would feel if I “couldn’t do it”. (I am my own worst critic) I put everything on trying to make a living from tattooing.
Maybe that sounds a bit dramatic, but it’s how I got where I am. I worked really hard and wanted it even more.
I love tattooing and everything it has brought me. The people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made; the experiences I’ve had and the places I’ve been. The art clients have trusted me to put on their body… all the rewards I have received have been worth all the challenges I faced.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I really love antiquing. South Broadway has some really great spots depending on your budget and flavor of antiques. Though a little out of the ways from south Broadway, my most favorite antique store is Heirloom Antiques off of Havana. The Learned Lemur is a must see if you love taxidermy and oddities.
As far as food goes, I was also recently called out for only suggesting “soup spots”, which I never really realized. But on the top of that list is Yummy Hot Pot, and the creature of habit in me, tends to end up at fun bar the majority of the time. When looking to get out of the city, finding a hot spring is where it’s at. My favorite thus far that I’ve discovered, would be Strawberry Park Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, Stephan; has been my biggest supporter through everything.
He has always encouraged me to follow my dreams and has done everything to make sure that I felt supported and had what I need to do whatever it is that I want to do. I couldn’t ask for a better partner. I LOVE YOU STEPHAN!

Website: https://www.jessicaburridge.com

Instagram: @j.breeziee

Youtube: https://YouTube.com/@j.breeziee

Other: Shop Website : www.feralforevertattoo.com
Shop Instagram @feralforevertattoo