Today we’d like to introduce you to James Hall
Hi James, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
As a kid I was always doodling. Generally to calm my mind, or escape the boredom of unengaging school driven routines. I was never encouraged in art as it generally a passive class, as well as an underfunded journey with no clear destination . Unless you played sports, which I did at a championship level, your focus was the core studies and what you do with that as a job.
It always puzzled me that everything around us was a creative endeavor or form of art; architecture, industrial design, cars, clothing, music and film….. even in sports. Yet it is almost jokingly a dead end road for creatives as the machine pulls all the energy in and spits out of self realized profit.
Rarely is someone there to recognize and nurture creative potential.
In 2011, I was searching for a way to channel my creativity outside the constraints of traditional education. That pursuit initially led me to graphic design and print/media production, but everything shifted when I turned 18 and began getting tattooed. I had the opportunity to get tattooed by an incredible artist, Michael Williams, in Austin, TX—someone who remains a close friend to this day.
Michael introduced me to tattooing as a true art form, and through a series of events, he helped guide me toward my own potential in the craft. Determined to pursue this path, I secured an apprenticeship at a higher level shop in Austin. I immersed myself in learning, applying my skill set and dedication to prove my value. After an intense two to two-and-a-half-year apprenticeship while working full time jobs; I officially launched my career as a tattoo artist. Not long after, I took on a leadership role, helping with the operations and expansion of the studio where I had began.
Fast forward to 2025, Aura IV Tattoo Gallery in Austin— is my studio and a space that redefines what modern tattooing can be for both artists and clients.
Aura IV is more than just a studio; it’s a community-driven space where creativity thrives. We’ve hosted well known traveling tattooers, art exhibitions featuring hundreds of talented tattooers and artists from across the country, organized a nationally recognized breast cancer charity event, and built an inclusive space that welcomes anyone interested in the evolving landscape of tattooing and fine art.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life rarely offers the path of least resistance—especially not one that aligns neatly with your own goals. For me, the road was anything but obvious.
I had setbacks at an early age; perhaps too much to share here but I grew up needing more out life than what was available. Adventure, experience, ideas.
This often led me to trouble and I was guilty of making poor decision in my quest for independence and self. My first run in with law enforcement, or breaking laws, was at 12 years old.
Potential without aim.
At 16, someone I deeply admired—my mentor at the time—told me, or at least I understood it as, that he had to give up on me. Up until then, I had always been a natural leader in school, sports, and Boy Scouts. But my defiant, thrill-seeking nature caused disruptions, and eventually, that caught up with me. Losing that leadership role was a turning point. It pulled back a curtain and revealed an expanse so vast that I no longer knew which way was forward.
Long story short I came back to my mentor with a promise to show up for not only him, but for myself.
I am not even sure I really understood that at the time, but it set in motion a series of events that launched my into adult hood a few years later.
This two year period accomplished Eagle Scout, a gold medal in Austin Independent School Distract Visual Arts Awards… many things that gave me tools to move out of my parents house at 18 and look for my own path in the expanse.
I’ve been told I’m too ambitious. I’ve always known ambition to be part of my identity. And while at times it was misdirected, I never saw it as a flaw—rather, as a core value that earned the respect of both my peers and elders from a young age.
Facing challenges with purpose and navigating obstacles head-on is never easy. When chasing a goal, stepping into a new role, or taking a leap of faith, the readiness required often feels immeasurable. But for me, the space where challenge meets creativity—the point of maximum resistance—has always been where I find my next road. The almost unreachable.
My path has been far from linear, and many people have played a role in my success. I’m honored to have built a name for myself and to have stayed true to my vision. The creation of Aura IV is not just a reflection of my journey, but a testament to the incredible people who have believed in it and helped bring it to life.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a native Austinite who grew up outdoors, exploring what was then a much smaller city. My childhood was shaped by nature, adventure, and eventually earning the rank of Eagle Scout—an experience that not only prepared me for leadership and project management but, more importantly, grounded me in an appreciation for the world around me.
That deep connection to nature has remained a constant source of inspiration, often reflected in both my oil paintings and tattoos through floral, landscape, and organic subject matter.
I got into tattooing as quickly as I could, driven by a need to express myself creatively while making a living. Traditional education systems never fully engaged my fast-moving mind and restless energy, and I’ve never been one to follow a conventional path. Tattooing became a new medium for me—an art form that allowed for creative exploration without constraint.
Beyond tattooing as my primary art form, I began oil painting in 2016. For years, I admired the work of my friend Nick Baxter—a legendary tattoo artist and prolific oil painter. Nick loosely mentored me, knowing I aspired to paint like him one day. Years later, I’ve built a catalog of sold paintings, curated some of the largest art shows in tattooing, and have recently been accepted into OPA – Oil Painters of America.
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have found tattooing, built a name for myself, and become a valuable part of my community. My career has been defined by pushing boundaries and chasing the next horizon, and with the creation of Aura IV Tattoo Gallery, I now have the opportunity to work alongside some of the best artists in Austin and across Texas.
I’ve always been highly social and high-energy, which has naturally lent itself to curating environments and experiences. That’s exactly what Aura IV represents today—an open, creative space where clients can come as they are, seeking a dialogue through art. The artists who work within Aura IV, whether residents or traveling guests, are met with an environment built for openness, collaboration, and growth.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Important lessons….
For me, one of the most important lessons has been the power of discipline and setting goals, putting yourself in an environment that helps drive the vision forward.
Confronting yourself with purpose, or seeking to face challenges appropriately is no easy feat; it requires the right tools, mindset, and, just as importantly, the right community.
Whether it’s pursuing a goal, starting a new job, or trusting a new opportunity, the level of readiness required can feel immeasurable. But I’ve learned that growth happens in the space where challenge meets creativity—the point of maximum resistance. That’s where I always find my next road forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jameshallcreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameshallcreative/?hl=en
- Other: https://aura4tattoo.com
