Born in Mooreland, Oklahoma, in 1978 in the old Mooreland Hospital, Jared E. Wait's artistic journey began in his teenage years. He found inspiration in vinyl record covers from bands like Molly Hatchet and Ozzy Osbourne, and immersed himself in fantasy art. He also drew heavily from Heavy Metal Magazines, developing a deep admiration for the legendary artist Frank Frazetta, who remains his favorite to this day.

Jared's passion for art led him to the world of tattooing. He began his apprenticeship in 2006 and became a licensed tattoo artist in Oklahoma City in 2007. In his tattoo work, he specializes in portraits, black and grey realism, and dark fantasy art.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, Jared expanded his artistic endeavors by taking up acrylic painting, a medium he continues to explore. 

With multiple awards for his exceptional tattoo work, Jared has also demonstrated his versatility as an artist by recently winning an award for his painting.

 Beyond his artistic pursuits, Jared has a rich personal life. He is of Cherokee and Scandinavian descent, and enjoys researching his ancestry and ancient history. A devoted motorcycle enthusiast, he has a deep appreciation for the history of motorcycles. He is also a proud member of the Survivors MC clean and sober club, where he actively supports the community in their fight against addiction. Jared's resilience is evident in his continued love for riding, even after enduring the amputation of his left leg in 2014 following a motorcycle accident, and surviving another life-threatening crash in 2016.

Jared is married with four children and currently resides in Woodward, Oklahoma.

Please join us in welcoming the art of Jared Wait into the Robert Roberson Exhibition Gallery on Saturday August 9th from 5-7pm for an Artist reception.