We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joshua Blevins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joshua below.

Alright, Joshua thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

A year and a half ago, after 5 years of working at tattoo shops, I stepped out on my own and opened up my own private studio. This was a major shift in my career and something I had been aiming towards for a long time. However, I quickly learned that no matter how prepared you may think you are for business ownership, there are constant challenges one has to face in order to succeed as a business owner. The freedom gained by being your own boss is paid for with hard work and sacrifice on a daily basis.

In the first 6 months of being on my own, I invested all of my savings and worked around the clock to bring my studio to a place where I felt proud to host my clients. There were countless nights where I would lie awake in bed wondering if I was going to be able to survive. Somehow, each month, I was able to curate enough business to keep going. I am incredibly blessed to have had the support of my loved ones who really stepped up to the plate for me when I needed it most and, it is because of them that I am still here and able to thrive today.

I am proud to say that I have grown accustomed to the challenges that owning my small studio brings me. I now have two artists that work with me and I truly enjoy taking care of my space and providing a comfortable work environment for them. It’s crazy to think how my mind works sometimes because now I have my eyes set on opening a full scale walk-in tattoo shop in Long Beach. Even though I know this will come with some tremendous challenges, I feel fully prepared to endure whatever lies ahead for my artistic career.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

First and foremost, my name is Joshua Blevins and I’m a 31 year old tattoo artist based out of Long Beach, CA. My journey to tattooing started back in 2012 while attending Pepperdine University, when I learned I had a brain tumor. For the next year of my life, following the removal of my tumor, I had to spend every moment regaining the strength to do simple tasks such as walk, talk, and eat normally. This was an incredibly humbling experience, however it gave me an overwhelming sense that God had granted me a second chance at life.

When my recovery had finished, I found myself back in my home town of San Diego attending San Diego State University. Although I was in the process of getting a business degree, I knew in my heart that I no longer had any interest in living a normal life or working a traditional job. I started a band with a few of my friends from high school and, by some wild chance, we ended up doing pretty well for ourselves. I spent the next 5+ years touring with my band mates. We had opportunities I never thought I would have the privilege of experiencing. From owning our own limo, to being sponsored by global companies like Tribal Streetwear, Coldcock Whiskey and Pabst Blue Ribbon, magazine covers, even to the point of being on TV. That time of my life was a wild ride.

But during this time of living my rockstar dream, I had the urge to get a tattoo to commemorate what I had been through with my brain tumor. Through hours of research I was able to find Miguel Ochoa who would end up tattooing me for the entirety of the time I was doing music full time. What started as one tattoo ended up becoming a great friendship and Miguel eventually became my mentor. During the hours I spent getting tattooed, I fell in love with the connection an artist can make with their client. For so many years, when I was dealing with symptoms from my tumor (which was undiscovered at the time) I felt like no-one cared about me or how depressed I was. I felt so alone and dejected. But these long tattoo sessions gave me a sense of belonging and Miguel made me feel that someone cared about my story.

That feeling is what I strive to provide for my clients and is why I got into tattooing in the first place. I want my clients to feel safe, to feel heard, and, during the time they are spending with me, that they are special. Whatever it is someone may be going through, I want them to know that their story is valid. I always say that everyone has that one thing in their life that is the hardest thing they’ve ever been through, for me it was a brain tumor, but for others it could be the loss of a loved one, losing a job, a breakup…really anything.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I feel like in the beginning of my tattoo career all I wanted was to be the best. I wanted to deliver the most technically beautiful, perfectly executed tattoos. I spent many years of my life fueled by this vision. But the longer I spend creating and the more tattoos I do, I find myself being more drawn to developing my own style. I’ve reached a point where I want to be truly fulfilled by my art. It’s not a competition, rather a journey within myself.

For years I thought doing the best statue or religious tattoo was what was going to bring me joy. Gaining a huge following, tattooing celebrities, etc. But now I am drawing and tattooing things much more authentic to me and that has brought me an incredible amount of joy. Now I draw western/biker style designs and I feel so much more free because it is more true to who I am and my background. So I would say my mission is to continue to discover more about myself through my art, become increasingly invested in developing my style, and enjoy the relationships I develop along the way.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is the ability to be 100% myself at all times. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to express who I really am every day and connect with people on a much more intimate level because of that. I love connecting with other creatives and being constantly inspired. I love sharing my soul with the world.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @joshuablevins