Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Justice.
Hi Shelby, 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?
I am a 22 years old Tattoo and Fine artist. I can say I never saw myself becoming a tattoo artist nor working in the industry, life has a way of giving you exactly what you need when you least expect it and when you stop asking. Starting from a young age, I was exposed to owning your own business, following my father around like a lost duckling with a hammer and tape measure in tow. I have always wanted to be good at everything I put my hands to and I try very hard. My mom is a fine artist and while growing up, I was constantly amazed at how she could create anything with her hands. I have strived to be like that. To see and understand. For it to just make sense and know how things are supposed to look.
I graduated from high school at 17 years old to be able to run my father’s business and become a foreman for his construction sites. It was not the life for me, I could not handle working so closely with my father. Being at his beck and call, feeling as if I had these constant conditional expectations to live up to, that were not valid for my soul. I separated myself from my childhood life and moved on to creating my own family and running my own life. I started a career at the United States Postal Service. After separating from the life that was holding me back, I very quickly realized that my life was filled with more trauma than I was aware of. That I was allowing boundaries to be crossed and causing my level of self-love to hit a rock bottom.
I entered a place in my life where I wanted to search out who “Shelby” was. I had a beautiful baby boy who allowed me to feel a type of love I never knew possible. I started finding what I enjoyed. I started healing…
2.5 years ago, I came into American Gypsy Tattoo to get my nose pierced and the quickest way to explain it is two souls who had been beaten and broken fell in love. The owner, who pierced my nose, David, is now my husband of 2.5 years. I felt I wanted to spend every second of every day with him so I quit my career at the United States Postal Service and began that journey. Of course, when you are happy, you are going to have your abusers trying to tear you down. Due to that, during David’s eight months of absence, I opened up American Gypsy after the Covid-19 pandemic and ran a business at 19 years old. I taught myself to tattoo, pierce and stand my ground for not only the ones I love but also myself.
Today business is amazing and has always been. I am almost a three years artist, my husband/ Co-owner is a 26 years artist and we take pride in maintaining a very sustainable business.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road has been very challenging. My father abused me from a young age, mentally and physically as I got older. He has been constantly attacking not only myself but my shop and husband as well. We have had to stand our ground and shout truth to the world at people from David’s and my own past. The Tattoo industry can maintain itself as long as there is a good artist with a good attitude to run it. Staying consistent in communication is the biggest key to making this world work.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a 2.5 years tattoo and fine artist. I specialize in fine line work, surrealism, floral designs, mandalas and anything heavy lined. I feel what sets me apart is my age and capabilities. I am very light-handed and have been told I do a really amazing quality of work in the amount of time it takes me.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Original owner and business inventor David Justice is the real success story here. He is not only an amazing artist but an amazing husband, father and all-around human. Constantly going out of his way to comfort others and help transform the world. My clients are all really amazing. We are really lucky to have the huge following that we do. We moved locations from 5 years in marble falls and now we have been in Jonestown Tx for 6 years, and our clients have followed us. Not to mention we gain new clientele every day. Once a client comes in, they always come back. The lifelong connection is something I am really grateful for.
Pricing:
- $200/hr
- $250/hr for coverups
- $60 minimum for 1 sq inch
- $20 for every additional square inch.
- For several session pieces, we accept payment in sessions no deposit.
Contact Info:
- Website: Agtattootx.com
- Instagram: Gypsybrattattoos
