By Faith Callens, Blessed By Faith Staff Writer

Since a child, Anthony Coleman Jr. has always had a passion for drawing art, which has now led to a dream of his coming true —opening up his first tattoo shop. 

Inked By Ant C opened Feb.10 on 1224 J. L. Chestnut Jr. Blvd in Selma, commemorating a “major black history moment” for Coleman, which is one that will stay with him forever.

“It felt great,” Coleman said. “It really felt amazing because it’s my dream career and it was something I always wanted to do.”

With the help of his late grandfather, Coleman said his interest for art in general peaked after frequent discussions he had with him and the art competitions his grandfather would place him in as a child.

“He always was the one saying to me, you can do it, don’t never say you can’t,” Coleman said. “And, that forever instilled confidence in me.”

Coleman said his interest in tattooing began around the age of 18 after he received his first tattoo, which led him to transform the art he drew as a child into clients’ skin. 

“The main thing I focus on [when tattooing is] the realism and all the details to it,” Coleman said. “That includes the shading, preciseness of the tattoo, and my attempt to touch every little dot I can in the process. The real way of telling a true tattoo artist is if they can successfully tattoo a darker skin tone instead only doing a lighter skin tone, and I can do both.”

With all tattoos, Coleman said realism is his speciality and his services involve 3D work, cover-up work and said whichever service the clients’ interest is, he can do it.

Pricing can vary for each client and are based on the type of art that they are interested in and the placement of it whether it’s on their forearm, thigh, lower leg or foot, according to Coleman. 

Starting out as a teenager in the business, the 29-year old shop owner said it allowed him to really hone in on his skill and become a self taught tattoo artist.

“Before I had a shop, I kind of started out like everybody else, especially those who teach themselves” Coleman said. “I started out at home (in the backyard), then I developed a plan for the first building I had ( that was a storage building ) and I remodeled that into a studio, then one year later after that, I got the building in downtown Selma.”

Coleman said since his newest location opened in Selma, clients have come from different states, cities and said his clientele varies from an every day basis to every week.

“[People have also been coming to my shop] from different counties as well,” Coleman said. “And, with social media being so popular, it attracts a lot of other people I wouldn’t usually get if my business wasn’t on there. 

Coleman said his shop is a super chill environment with great music that allows clients to feel comfortable while getting a tattoo, [whether it’s their first or their fifth]. 

He also said having platforms such as TikTok and Instagram allows people from whereever to see, comment, share his work including giving him referrals for new clients.

Coleman also said those interested in tattooing the properly way should start with an apprenticeship with a local shop and grow from there and said if there are any self-starter tattoo artists, they should stick to that route, so they can get a better feel for tattooing for themselves and learn from their mistakes as they go.

“And have a lot of patience,” Coleman said. “If you do follow the apprenticeship route, be prepared to do a lot of dirty work in the beginning such as cleaning the shop, cleaning the toilets first before you even starting working on someone’s skin full-time. If it’s your passion and what you love, stick to it and it will pay off in the long run.”

Coleman’s plans towards the near future is to open up another shop in Mobile, Alabama or some other city of his choice close to the water.

For more information about Coleman’s shop or services, he can be found on TikTok at Inkedby_AntC, Instagram at InkedbyAntC and Facebook at InkedbyAntC.