Today we’d like to introduce you to Joey Garcia
Hi Joey, 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?
My passion for art began with animation, but the cost of schooling quickly made me give up on idea and led me to pursue a more secure career in UX Design instead. Oddly enough, it was getting my first tattoo that shifted my path—I was captivated by the skill and precision involved in bringing art to life on skin. This led me to take a month-long fundamentals workshop with the tattoo artist Jing Xi at Patch Tattoo Therapy in Los Angeles, where I discovered that this was truly something I would love to do. I love the consistency of the machine and how challenging it was to work with.
Starting out definitely wasn’t easy; the reality of seeing your work heal on skin can be humbling, and overcoming self-doubt is part of the journey. But I love the responsibility and trust that come with tattooing, which makes every challenge worth it. Today, I work at The Hive SLC, where I’m fortunate to be surrounded by uplifting artists and an amazing mentor, Mason Atlas, who constantly pushes me to refine my craft. Bringing clients’ ideas to life and continuing to grow in this art form has been incredibly rewarding and I cannot imagine myself doing anything else with my life!
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?
It hasn’t been completely smooth it has its moments to feel rocky, you could say it’s just like Utah Roads. My current shop is actually my second mentorship. My first apprenticeship started off good but eventually became more restrictive than supportive. I won’t go into details but when I decided to leave, I faced legal threats meant to prevent me from tattooing in Utah, but thankfully, state labor laws protected me. It was a discouraging setback, which makes me all the more grateful for The Hive SLC. They were the first studio I approached in Utah and gave me invaluable advice, so working here now feels very rewarding!
When I first began tattooing in LA, I struggled with the basics—my work was choppy, and developing hand-eye coordination took time. But I’m grateful I didn’t give up.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Most of my work is custom, though I love creating flash designs as well. Bringing a client’s unique idea to life in my style and working to truly understand their vision is what sets my work apart and makes this career so rewarding.
I specialize in Gothic Neo-traditional tattooing, blending dark aesthetics with ornate details. I see my clients as much more than a canvas; I genuinely value the time and moments I share with them, and I strive to create work that reflects their vision in a style that feels authentic to me. While I’m always proud of individual pieces, I’m most proud of my dedication to ongoing improvement—exploring creative approaches and pushing my skills further each day!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding a mentor isn’t easy—it means asking someone to take on a big responsibility over you the apprentice. Direct outreach is valuable, and while researching artists on Instagram is helpful, I recommend an in-person approach when possible. Have a portfolio that truly reflects your style and artistic vision rather than what you think a shop might want to see. I’d recommend making a physical copy that you don’t mind leaving at the shop for people to view later as tattooing is a very busy field of work.
Above all, be kind and willing to lend a hand. People naturally want to help those who are genuine and supportive. Take local art classes, comment on peoples Instagram posts, etc. Building a reputation as someone who’s friendly and helpful goes a long way in the tattoo community! If you want more specific advice feel free to reach out to me directly and I’m happy to talk with you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thehiveslc.com/joey-garcia
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expired.milku/
