Life & Work with Josh Martin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Martin.

Hi Josh, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in small-town Missouri on a farm with a mother who was a doll maker. Art has always been a pass time, which led to attending college at the University of Central Missouri where I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in painting.

In 2008, I started tattooing, and around 3 years in, I started traveling and working across the United States at different shops and conventions. After a move to Seattle for a few years, I returned to Kansas City to work at Exile Tattoo.

I have been tattooing at Exile since 2016 with a wonderful group of co-workers. Recently, I have been making art outside of tattooing again working with ceramics and painting.

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?
Tattooing has changed over time. When I started in 2008, there was more of an emphasis on walk-in availability and working with flash. As my career has evolved, that has changed to more custom tattoos.

There has always been a struggle with time management and setting boundaries that allow me to make the best tattoos possible for my clients. Information is more prevalent which has led to a higher standard in tattooing.

In the last few years of my career, I have learned to cherish time outside of work, for relationships and personal hobbies.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
When I started tattooing, it was important to learn every style of tattooing. I have tried to combine these practices to work for my artistic aesthetic. I normally work in an illustrative manner, working with different forms of American and Japanese traditional subjects.

I think one of the reasons my work stands out is that I think of the whole body when designing a tattoo. I take my client’s musculature and other tattoos into consideration when designing. Outside of this, I also like to use color and negative space to create a strong composition. I believe that the experience of getting tattooed is very important.

I try to connect with my clients through conversation and kindness, which in my opinion helps with the collaborative process between the artist and collector.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I think the main thing I have learned in the last few years is to take time outside of work.

I have been working in ceramics for a year now, taking classes and applying for shows around Kansas City. This has been a rewarding process learning a new art form and enjoying the process. I have also been working on my relationships outside of tattooing.

I try to communicate with my family, friends, and partner more often. Years of thinking that I had to eat and sleep tattooing has been a hard habit to change, but it has been a rewarding process.

Pricing:

• I charge $150 an hour for large ongoing projects.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @Joshmartinart

Image Credits
Dylan Trigg