Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Shelton.
Tim, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began my apprenticeship in November of 2005, just after I had returned from a two-week honeymoon with my wife. For many years before this, I was encouraged to begin tattooing by my “to be” mentor Steve Schultz of Costa Mesa Tattoo. I had been getting tattooed by Steve since 96 or 97. I showed him designs that I had drawn in my sketchbook that I wanted to get tattooed.
He asked if he could look through the sketchbook and shortly asked if I’d ever thought about tattooing. I said no, and from that moment he would ask me every time I got tattooed by him. He even offered to apprentice me and I was hesitant. My focus was on art and school and working to survive. Eventually, I got my path in order and called Steve up and asked if the apprenticeship offer was still on the table. It was and so my life and future changed and brought me to where I am now.
I worked other jobs to support my wife and I through my apprenticeship. Eventually, I began tattooing full time at Costa Mesa Tattoo in 2006. And from 2010-2011, I worked both at CMT and American Electric in Silverlake. In September of 2011, I respectfully left both places and opened Still Life Tattoo in Seal Beach, CA where you can still find me today.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s been a long challenging path. Or paths I should say, but that’s what makes you hopefully wiser and stronger. Trying to balance a life of tattooing/art and quality time with family is a constant but very important.
There is so much time that goes into drawing for a tattoo aside from the tattoo application itself. With that being said time management has always been a bit of a struggle. And struggling with being a social/customer friendly person, when you are mostly an introvert, gets to be taxing mentally and emotionally. But that’s what movies and holidays are for… right?
I tattoo full time and own Still Life Tattoo in beautiful Seal Beach, CA. Owning a shop is a full-time gig in addition to tattooing. Even when you have help running a shop, it still requires your full attention 24/7.
I mostly work in black and grey, illustrative, and finer line tattoos. I do love tattooing me some bold lined wild animals though. I’m not known for anything in particular as far as tattooing goes (as far as I know). I can draw and tattoo anything besides biomechanical and color realism… I’m just the nice, funny, weird, artsy guy that pops up at shops and art shows every once in a while.
What you’re most proud of?
I’m proud to own a well-respected shop that houses some of the most incredible tattooers in the states. We provide a creative, clean, positive, sterile environment for all walks of life to enjoy.
What is your proudest moment in your career so far?
The proudest moment of my career has been opening my own shop in the city I live in and have loved since the first day of being here. It took a lot of time and work to get this place up and running. There is literal blood, sweat, and tears under these floors (but obviously sterilized before the doors opened)
Contact Info:
- Address: 1500 Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach, CA 90740
- Phone: 562-296-8066
- Website: [email protected]
- Email: [email protected]
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