We were lucky to catch up with Joel Crosson-Kline recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Joel, thanks for joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I never fit in doing a 9-5. I always felt that there was something more important I should be doing with my time. When I was working other jobs I always wished I could’ve been making money doing something I love while filling my time. At first I thought it was impossible and that art would always just be a hobby or side hustle for me, then I started applying my extra time and nights into learning how to tattoo. I learned in every way possible just to know the craft. In doing so I became more well known from tattooing all my friends. By then I had built a decent portfolio and knew I could do something with it. I took that portfolio to a city that was bigger and easier to market in and got in at a low level tattoo shop. I knew I couldn’t get into a big name shop off the jump and I’d have to start somewhere smaller first to make a name for myself. Five shops and six years later I’m a well known artist with a broad clientele and I love what I do. I never knew tattooing would be a job that would not only transform my life but take me to places I never thought I would go. It’s given me the freedom to do what I love and make a living at the same time, and a decent one at that.

Joel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Tattooing has always been an interest of mine going back to childhood, getting started was as easy as finding the drive and sticking with it. I provide life changing artwork and tattoos. I specialize in cover ups and love to take artwork that someone was unhappy with and transform it into a work of beauty. I’m most proud of my rate of progress. I have diligently applied my time to achieving a level in my career that takes most men decades. I want my fans to know that if they love something and believe in themselves they can achieve or be anything if they set their mind to it and don’t give up.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I was a group home child which means I grew up in state custody after being taken away from my parents at a young age. Most of us were taught to get a regular 9-5 job and stick to it because we wouldn’t amount to much after all we’d been through. That always hit me like a fist in the gut, I just couldn’t accept it. So I didn’t give up and I fought for myself. I took a talent that I had and I built and entire career on that. Now I’m an artist with an international clientele that is completely supported by the work I do.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal in my creative journey is to inspire others to be themselves and believe in themselves because they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: AbstractRevival
• Facebook: Joel kline