Check Out Joshua Smith’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Smith. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in a small town and was like a lot of kids: rebellious. Got into trouble at 17 with the court systems, and by 18 I was firmly in jail, sentenced to 20 years. Rough start to anyone’s life. During that term, I watched and listened of everyone’s successes and failures, stuck on the fact I sat stagnant in a box. This ate at my soul. I hadn’t ever learned to invest in myself. I started to think of all the things I COULD become. I started setting realistic goals for what my life may look like outside of the box. It seemed bleak, at a glance. But the successful mind finds a little fire and feeds whatever life is burning in that soul. I found that I had an eye for art. I felt like it was achievable to create these masterpieces other artists were creating. Of course, I quickly learned art is far more complicated than I could have imagined when I naively stepped into the ring. I can’t say there hadn’t been moments of discouragement, but I kept telling myself I could succeed. Now, this was easy, given art was only a hobby, at this time. 

Fast forward 10 years. I am released on good behavior and provided the opportunity for work release. I get out of jail, with ideas of grandiose! But I found myself working sheet metal. I wanted something more. A friend of mine was doing a tattoo apprenticeship, at the time, and she would always talk about how poor the apprenticeship was going. I wanted to help. I googled the nearest shop to me and walked in with nothing but a pencil and some drawing paper, and they hired me on the spot. I hadn’t ever tattooed at this time and was nervous. Within a year, I was doing beyond well. Was able to start helping people learn this craft, and now I’m at two years into this career, starting my own LLC, with a team I built around me. 

I don’t know where I’m going, but I feel my fire burning a little brighter. I’m feeding this beast. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not as smooth a path as I would have liked! The entire jail experience was a struggle in its own right, but on a business and growing level, I have faced some hurdles. Starting in a career that I had virtually zero experience with, it felt like a leap of faith. I had to have full confidence in that decision and put the full effort into building that career. Learning a new art medium, while also trying to balance business fundamentals, was the biggest hurdle early. After I moved beyond a commission-based shop, into my own booth and business management, life became incredibly more difficult. I had to learn marketing. And I’m still learning! It’s an ever-developing scene, and it’s a lot to follow! I started to develop a small following, and word of mouth, which is the best platform of marketing, in my opinion. It really shows your work is touching people in a positive way. And in my career as a tattooist, I feel it is my entire job to provide the client that positive life-changing experience. As of now, I am going through the struggles of opening my own business, and clearing all the health boards and licensing, to open my own private studio, where I hope to share my art and experiences with those in the community. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in black and grey realism and illustrative work. I try to take the designs clients bring, and create something outside of what they could imagine. That’s what I feel sets an artist apart from a guy who does tattoos. If I can deliver to the client something beyond their imagination, the client will forever remember their time with me, and willingly share their experience with any who value their artistic expression. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck, I’d like to believe, is a figment of our imagination; Something born of our will to shirk responsibility in our life. I would like to believe we can control our own luck in life. Prepare and make sure you’re always in a place to make (and capitalize) on your opportunities. 

Bottom line: see your dream, and put all of your energy into doing it better than someone you admire. You will succeed. 

Pricing:

• 150/hr
• 100 min
• 600/4 hrs
• 1k/8+hrs

Contact Info:

• Email: 303tattoos.josh@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/303tattoos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068983455879