Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Ojeda
Hi Joshua, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Since I was young I always enjoyed creating art. Inspired by comic books , video games and anime. I always tried to recreate artwork that Interest me. In my teenage years I gravitated towards graffiti and more of underground art forms. As I entered adulthood my friends at the time starting getting large Japanese tattoos and I was instantly attracted to the idea of making tattoos. As my interest grew I discovered American traditional tattoos and was mostly influenced by that style. I floated around Los Angeles trying to land an apprenticeships for tattooing but it proved to be difficult. Tattooing is very much a club/secret society that was hard to infiltrate unless invited in. At least for the time I was trying To in the early 2000’s. I was fortunate to make two close friends that were great tattoo artist. They always looked out for me and helped me learn. 2017 an opportunity opened up at the studio my friends worked at and they put in a good word for me. I was offered the opportunity to apprentice at the shop my friends worked at that I always wanted to be a part of. That tattoo shop was broken art tattoo in Atwater village. I’ve been working there ever since. I also split time between another established shop in Pasadena shogun tattoo. Pasadena has been a formative place for me in my adulthood and keeps bringing back there somehow. I grew up in San Gabriel valley so it feels very nostalgic to work where I grew up and serve the communities tattoo needs
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?
Definitely was not a smooth road. When you start you don’t have much to offer. You are still developing your skills and figuring out what makes a good tattoo. I’ve worked at a couple shops before that will remain nameless but not the type of environment that is gonna make you a good tattoo artist. Mostly people looking for free labor in exchange for the promise to teach you tattooing. But working at those places proved me how much I actually wanted to tattoo also being older I had to make a living working many different jobs to get by. I ended up landing a good career opportunity making the most money I ever have in my life thinking it was the best route for me. As time went by I realized I was just working my life away for a good paycheck. Around the time I got this high paying job I got offered the apprenticeship. I had to decide making a good living at a decent job to make zero money learning to tattoo. I thought about it for a minute but with the support of my wife I quit to start my tattoo career.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I enjoy making traditional and fineline tattoos. Black and grey tattoos have been my focus for the last few years but I enjoy making color tattoos as well. I pride myself on being able to make any tattoo that comes thru the door. I learned the most by doing walk in tattoos. Adapting to whatever the clients needs while still able to make them a solid tattoo. I used to think I needed to develop a style and only push that style but as I get more into my career I am more focused on being well rounded in tattooing. I think what sets me apart is my ability to connect with my clients and make the best product for them.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
The first people that come to mind are my two friends and co workers Josue Acosta and Derrek Everette. I wouldn’t be tattooing if it wasn’t for them. They always looked out for me and opened the world of tattooing to me. I owe a lot to my mentor Jeremy swan. He gave me my start and an opportunity to work along my friends and gave me a family in the tattoo industry. The whole crew at shogun tattoo helped me develop my ability to do more diverse and high quantity tattoo request. Between both shops a lot of the guys have 20-30 years of tattooing each and they all do so many different forms of tattooing I have access to mentors that have done probably any tattoo out there. My wife for her support and for pushing me to chase my dream of tattooing
Pricing:
- $180 hour rate
- $100 deposit required
- $100 minimum
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Joshojeda_
