We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sebastian Livingston a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sebastian, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, let’s take a stroll on memory lane, back to when you were an apprentice or intern. What’s a memorable story from that time that you can share with us?

One of the core lessons I learned as an apprentice is that this is my life, it is real, and it is short. A strange take away from a tattoo apprenticeship, but I am grateful tattooing became an avenue for me to further explore that concept.

It has always been a challenge for me to view the world and my place within it from anything but a spectator perspective. I imagine I’m not alone in this feeling. Moving through life, from persona to persona, trying to feel real within the fabric of time and society. It’s difficult when you work a job you don’t truly understand the point of, to buy things you need in order to enjoy time that feels as if it’s not truly yours.

By leaving the conventional work force I was, for the first time, able to grasp a feeling of real life for longer than just a moment. In the process of leaving society as I understood it, I was able to become part of society as I felt it. A craftsman, working only because I understand what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. It ties everything together somehow.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Sebastian. I am a gay black belt martial artist, bodybuilder, published socialist writer, and tattoo artist from Salt Lake City, Utah. I began tattooing because I felt it was the best way I could live the life I wanted, and do so authentically.

After leaving my leadership roles in various American and international socialist organizations, I entered the tattoo industry by seeking an apprenticeship. I personally believe this is the best way to become a tattooer (for those seeking to). It was an awesome experience and one of the best decisions I had ever made.

The services I provide are unique to the individual. It’s interesting. I simply give a tattoo. But the client receives something very unique and special. My art carries with it a meaning I will never understand. For the client tells me what they want, I design it, tattoo it, and never ask the meaning.

As a heavily tattooed person, I know how much my tattoos have changed my life both “spiritually” and emotionally. So I respect the fact that this special experience truly only belongs to the client. And I’m happy to provide an opportunity to alter one’s perspective permanently over the course of their 75 years or so. It’s a trip, and I appreciate that a lot.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I was opening my first shop, I did so with a business partner. It was great until it wasn’t. He became shady and tried to commit fraud with everyone’s income as well as showing apologetic behavior towards sexual predators. So I split ways with him and together with my amazing boyfriend (now fiancé) and the awesome artists Aaron Strobehn and Ethan Tea opened up HellBent Tattoos. After opening up we were so fortunate to welcome Kayden Don and our apprentice Vance Dubbeld into the mix and the shop culture is fantastic.

This shop is a dream shop. It is ran like a collective instead of for profit. In taking a large financial and comfort zone risk, we were able to open a wonderful shop and create an environment where people can pursue their dreams safely, independently and collectively.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

My advice for keeping up moral is by applying the golden rule. Do unto others as you’d have done to yourself. If you want people to be happy, allow them to be their authentic selves. This can’t be done if you’re exploiting them for profit.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hellbent.sebastian?igshid=MjEwN2IyYWYwYw==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087345740037&mibextid=LQQJ4d