Inked in Eden Caliope Yiannos

JUSTIN DEMARTINO

I am from Orange County, California. I went to cooking school when I was in my 20s. I was working as a line cook in a restaurant when I started tattooing.

What did your family and friends think about you getting into the tattoo business?

My friends and family were supportive when I started tattooing.

What was it that initially sparked your interest in tattooing?

I have been drawing since childhood, so drawing and art were always a priority for me. I was always fascinated with tattoo culture and tattooing in general.

Are there any tattoos you would refuse to do? (face, private areas, etc.)

No racist tattoos.

Have you ever had a bad tattooing experience, and what

was it? I had a client pass out during a tattoo session. He hadn’t eaten, and his blood sugar levels dropped. He was able to regain composure and complete the tattoo.

How old were you when you started

tattooing? 35 years old.

Do you prefer rotary

or coil machines? I prefer coil machines, but I own both.

What would you say is your favorite part of the

job? To have new and exciting projects for new and exciting clients. I love being able to tattoo in different styles, so I can tattoo clients who have different preferences.

Who and what influences you to

create your work? I’m influenced by tattooers, photographers, and fine artists. I’ve always been influenced to some degree by any artist passionate about their work.

What is the most important advice you can give someone new to the art of

tattooing? Learn from everyone and absorb as much as possible. Draw with real pencils and pens on paper. Paint and draw daily.

What advice would you give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo? (A tattoo virgin)

Pick an awesome tattoo design that you really like. I suggest getting a tattoo that speaks to you. Whatever the design, style, size, or placement, pick something that you will always appreciate.

12 years

Tattooing

Independent Artist

Santa Ana, CA

Location

Pharos Ink

Shop

Black and Grey, American Traditional

Specialization

justin1tattoo

@gmail.com

@just_insanetattoo

Instagram

Justin’s Galaxy

YouTube

I was born and raised in Los Angeles and always wanted to pursue some form of art. It was a happy accident when I did my first official tattoo in 2012. I worked in a little shop in the Bronx and initially started tattooing to make ends meet, along with a few other jobs. It wasn’t until I moved to Hawaii in 2014 that I started taking tattooing seriously and made it a full-time thing a couple of years later.

What are your favorite things to tattoo?

Anything organic. Beautiful faces, foliage, animals. Something with flow and something I can create lots of contrast with.

Do you prefer complete freedom with designs or structure?

I personally like when people give me a short list of things they like and then allow me to do my thing. I want to be proud

YVONNE KANG

10 Years

Tattooing

Independent Artist

Honolulu, HI

Location

Tiger Club Tattoo

Shop

Neotraditional, Illustrative, Tribal-inspired

Specialization

yvetattooer

@gmail.com

@yvekang

Instagram of every tattoo I make; I will always execute it to the best of my abilities.

If you were not a tattooer, what would

you be? Indiana Jones

What advice would you give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo? (A tattoo virgin)

Make sure to get a good night’s sleep and eat a good meal before your appointment. Also, it’s super helpful to bring a pair of headphones, some water, and snacks!

What was it that initially sparked your interest in tattooing?

Growing up in LA, I always thought Chicano black and grey was the coolest thing ever. But honestly, I initially started tattooing because I was hungry and took up any job at the time. I’m so stoked I stuck with it because years down the line, something just clicked. I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life at this point.

Have you ever had a bad tattooing experience, and what was it?

I once had a client who didn’t eat and stayed up all night before his appointment. When I went to stencil him, he passed out and shat himself.

Are there any tattoos you would refuse to do? (face, private areas, etc.)

Call me old-fashioned, but I don’t like tattooing faces, necks, or hands on people who aren’t already heavily covered. Never again will I tattoo genitals; it’s just not worth it. ✕

CALIOPE YIANNOS

What do you think is in store for the future of tattooing? Social media has already changed our profession so much, and it’s going to keep influencing it. We have constant interaction with our clientele and have the potential to reach so far beyond just our local area now. It has also forced many artists to reevaluate how they run their businesses and social media presence. The focus on finding an artist isn’t just liking their art anymore; it’s also about the artist themselves. Clients want to feel comfortable and know who they are working with. Shops and artists are going to have to start learning to navigate their influence on social media and make sure what they’re putting out there is professional and welcoming. Good and bad experiences can go viral online and completely change your career ⸺ What is the most important advice you can give someone new to the art of tattooing? 1) Never stop drawing. You will limit yourself the moment you stop creating. 2) Find the right shop and mentor for you. If you are not treated like a human being or are consistently put into uncomfortable situations, leave. There will always be another opportunity for you if you put yourself out there. You do not need to put up with abuse in the workplace to get into this industry. There are shops and artists out there that will teach you and treat you right ⸺ What made you want to open a shop so early in your tattoo career? I always knew that I would eventually open my own shop, but I never thought it would be possible this soon in my career. It’s hard for a young female to get into the industry and to find a shop that treats her well. I worked at two shops before I opened my own and realized that the only way to guarantee that I wouldn’t be mistreated was by being my own boss. I promised myself that I would never let myself, any other artist that came to my shop, or any of my clients be treated the way that I had been. I wanted to create a safe space for artists to create and work and for clients to feel welcomed and respected. ✕

PHOTO BY @THEDOPEGIRLSCLUB BABYTHUMPY

itsbabythumpy.com

www

@itsbabythumpy

Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

thumper

@gldngroup.co

SanDiego, CA

Location

Alt Model/Content Creator

Occupation

5' 7"

Height

26

Age It’s your girl BabyThumpy here! Texas raised, California living and loving every minute of this journey. I spend much of my time in the gym, creating content, and enjoying the beautiful outdoors Cali has to offer. Can’t wait to continue to grow, meet new people, and build my empire!

How old were you when you got your first tattoo? What was it?

I was 15 when I got my 1st tattoo at a house party a friend was throwing and have been obsessed since. Haha Don’t throw shade on 15yr old me lol it was an infinity sign that said strength and has since been covered up.

Do people treat you differently because of your tattoos?

Yes, absolutely, but I think it gives me a first hand look at who someone truly is and if that is someone I want to surround myself with. Thankfully I’ve had more positive reactions than negative.

Who is/are your favorite tattoo artist(s) to get tattooed by?

I got my blackout from Simon Teigeiro. He was incredible! Chance Ewingdid my throat and killed it!

Where do you get your tattoo ideas from?

Experiences. Moments. Anything that feels right. I believe a place in time can influence a piece just as much as a specific design can. Some of my work was picked by an artist that meant a lot to me and some were designs I had in mind myself.

What is your favorite tattoo that you have?

Ooooh, I don’t really have favorites to be honest but, I’d say my throat right now, which is Odin’s ravens Huginn and Muninn.

What’s the longest tattoo session you have sat through?

10 hours for the tree on my side or 8-10 for my 1st session of my blackout.

What is the most painful tattoo that you have?

10/10 my sternum, so much ouchie! But back of my legs was a close second.

What’s the next tattoo that you plan to get?

Ah, the list grows daily. Probably filler on my neck/some lettering under my chin or my tummy. Not quite sure yet. But I’m planning on having much of my body covered eventually.

Do you have the most tattoos out of your family and friends?

I could confidently say I have more than every member of my close family combined, haha, but a lot of my friends have quite a few.

Do you have any upcoming events coming up? Business ventures, brand collaboration, etc.

I’m definitely open to new collabs in the near future. Working the details out for who those will be with. I did however just launch my website babythumpy.com and am planning on adding to my available merch in the upcoming months. ✕

74 THE TATTOO INDUSTRY

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