Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex John Bready.
Alex, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’d say that growing up in Ventura county and Oxnard, and having an older brother that was heavily in the punk and hardcore music scene, I grew up around tattooing and tattoos and was naturally drawn to it. I had fallen on some hard times growing up, and eventually dropped out of high school. While I was still in school, I had met a local tattooer, and would go to his shop often after class. Once I had dropped out, I took it as an opportunity to apprentice with him and felt fortunate that this new door had opened for me.
I got to where I am today through a ton of dedication and love for my trade and the community, good friends, and lots of family support.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As soon as I dropped out of high school, well, part of the reason I did drop out was because of drug use. When I dropped out, my drug use got worse and unfortunately, I was heavily into drugs through most of my apprenticeship.
Through the support of my friends and family, and through my desire to change my life and pursue tattooing, I was able to get sober. I count my blessings for that.
Throughout my career, I’ve definitely struggled with imposter syndrome, and still do. I don’t think that ever really goes away with a craft like this.
I’m so extremely fortunate for the opportunities I’ve had, the clients who became lifelong friends along the way, and for my loving wife who has been my rock in advancing my aspirations as a tattooer.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’d say I love art in general. But, I focus on a classic style of tattooing. Not quite Americana traditional, but art with traditional tattoo roots. Bold lines, solid color, heavy contrast.
I’d say I’m known for a unique style and for making classic designs with a modern spin. I think people who know me and follow my work don’t need to see my name attached to it, they could just tell I did it. I like unconventional beauty through imperfections. I like to exaggerate things that today’s society would probably deem not beautiful. I love lady heads with buck teeth, off-set or droopy eyes, big moles. I’m drawn to designs that look like something from an old photograph. It has some creepiness to it. Can look scary to some. I find that inspiring and beautiful.
I think I’m most proud of my friends and the relationships I’ve made throughout my tattoo career. If I had to pick one thing, that would definitely be it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Well, I’d say growing up, I, like many people, had certain traumas happen in my life. You could say at the time, that definitely felt like bad luck. I turned to art to escape feelings of depression and anger. Later on, the art turned into tattooing. And my perspective on “bad luck” in life changed too. I think I consider those traumas, good luck now, in a strange way. It made me who I am today and brought me to the people I have in my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alexjohnbreadytattoo.com/#book-appointment
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/alexjohnbready
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/alex.bready.7
Image Credits
Ben Busch
Kevin Coffey
