Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Martinez
Hi Joseph, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
”I started tattooing out of necessity after being kicked out of my house as a teenager. For a couple of years, I was completely self-taught, but then I met a professional tattooer who told me I needed a proper apprenticeship. That conversation changed everything. I decided to stop tattooing altogether and told myself I wouldn’t pick up a machine again until I could do it the right way.
Instead, I joined the military and became an Army Ranger. During that time, I had plenty of opportunities to make money tattooing, but I stayed true to my word and never did it. After my service, I finally had the chance to apprentice properly—and from there, everything fell into place. The rest is history!”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
“The beginning was tough since I was self-taught, and I took a long break while serving in the military. But once I started learning from experienced tattooers, things really started to take off.
My first apprenticeship was short-lived—I left as soon as I found out my mentor was selling heroin. My second apprenticeship was in a place that was… unconventional, to say the least. My mentor had leased a space that happened to be right in the middle of a sex dungeon. It sounds bizarre, but honestly, it was a clean and well-run space. Probably more of a shock for the clients walking in for the first time than it was for me—I was too focused on learning to even notice.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
“I’m a tattoo artist proficient in all styles, but I specialize in large-scale black and gray work, as well as intricate single-needle black and gray pieces. My style is heavily influenced by the single-needle prison-style tattooing that originated in Southern California.
What sets me apart is my speed—I’ve been told I work incredibly fast, yet my tattoos never look rushed. My clients appreciate that they’re getting high-quality work without having to endure long, painful sessions, and they’re happy to pay a premium for that experience.
One of my proudest accomplishments was owning my first tattoo shop, which maintained a five-star reputation across the board. It wasn’t just about the tattoos—the community that formed around it felt like family, and the support from my clients was truly incredible.”
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I learned that although tattoo shops are very clean and sterile. We are not “essential”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: atxtattooer
Image Credits
N/a
