Meet Jeff-
Jeff Zalesak was born in North East Pennsylvania in a small coal region town named Tamaqua. Showing interest in mostly only pencils and paper, he began to tell his parents he wanted to make tattoos at age 4. His biological father’s friends having tattoos would let young Jeff use pens and markers to add to their existing collections.
Losing his father shortly after to drug addiction, Jeff would be adopted by John Zalesak. Besides giving Jeff his unique Hungarian last name, John was an accountant by trade and thus sparked an interest in mathematics for Jeff. He was also talented in technical drawing and drafting. This would add a love for geometrical designs to Jeff’s growing artistic styles.
Through his entire school career Jeff’s art would be showcased in art shows, win contests, and be featured through yearbooks and school flyers. Summers would be spent living in Philadelphia skateboarding, graffitiing, touring with bands playing drums, and every other insane event you can imagine a teenager in the Philly Hardcore Music scene could experience. His senior year of high school, Jeff moved to Harrisburg, PA from his rural NEPA home to be permanently in a city setting with more opportunities to apprentice and perform tattooing.
In 2009, after two years of tattooing experience, a tattoo convention put together by the famous Philadelphia Eddie would drastically change Jeff’s career forever. As the announcer of the convention would stumble at the pronunciation of his last name. “1st place medium color Jeff Za…. Zal….” From the crowd heard “Its Zalesak Mother Fucker” in the most excited voice. The announcer laughed “I guess it’s Zalesak Mother Fucker!” He would go on to announce later “1st place Large Color… I know it this time. Jeff Zalesak.” Then again for 1st place Medium Black and Grey. These 3 Awards were won at his very first convention for a Color Portrait of Buddha, an Illustrative Jim Phillips Santa Cruz Skateboard piece, and a Black and Grey Floral piece. Philadelphia Eddie came by his booth and said “Hey kid, every other guy is only doing one style. Keep doing them all. Show em how it’s fuckin done.” With a sip of his drink he walked away and made a young artist stay hungry to never stop learning.
It’s been over a decade from then till now. Jeff has worked at many different friend’s shops in the Harrisburg area, completed guest spots at countless shops, traveled heavily working and competing in loads of tattoo conventions, and met countless incredible artists and continues to make countless lifelong friends in the process.
Jeff found his soulmate Aisha (@browbaelien) an incredible PMU artist. Jeff is a father to 2 beautiful daughters. Has been published in magazines and social media world-wide for his work. Yet when asked what he thinks of everything his career and all the awards and accolades he has earned he responds with a humble statement:
“I’m still just a kid with a tattoo machine and a dream!”
Today you can find Jeff tattooing at Camp Hill Collective and he plans on beginning to traveling again to guest spots and tattoo conventions.
Jeff remains dedicated to always learning and progressing in his craft, spending time with and growing with his family, and being humbled by all of his clients and friends love and support.