Tattoo Jr. Program 2024
When you get a degree in art, you are often posed with the question: “What is art?” And that question goes back and forth, some people feeling that art is lofty, ideal or it is gritty, of-the-people, lowbrow. It’s good. It’s bad. It’s all. But it most often settles to something along the lines of “art is an expression of the human experience.” It is changing the oil in your car, fresh cookies, a poem, a child’s drawing, a masterpiece, telling stories around a campfire, the mundane, profrane, and the sacred. It is celebration, it is worship.
To ask the question: “What is good art?” Is something else entirely, and not something I fully understand. And this post isn’t about that.
But if we talk human experience, and if we talk art, I’m going to want to talk about community. Art made in a vacuum is still art, but art made in community feels more like the art I want to create. The 8 weeks spent in the Tattoo Junior Program this fall at The Hive with Mason Atlas was a communal and creative experience. Was it easy? No. We crunched long hours, some of us up until the last minute of our deadline. We struggled through describing our work, through deciding what direction we wanted to take with our projects, but we all fought for each other. And that was better than any of the brilliant pieces we showed off at the “Under Your Skin Showcase” at the Urban Arts Gallery in downtown SLC. There wasn’t a moment where my heart wasn’t overlfowing with gratitude. Not only for the generosity of Mason Atlas and the other artists in the shop, but for the generosity and spirit of my fellow junior program artists. We had the group chat of all group chats.
Let’s get into it.
Brief Description of the Program
I don’t want to give away too much, for those who are interested. But here’s a really quick and dirty overview.
This intensive course is intended to go beyond portfolio building to cover all aspects of life as a professional tattoo artist. Gain insights into finances, healthcare, work/life balance and more through talks with working artists. You'll refine your portfolio, get advice on things like finances and work-life balance, and receive feedback to improve your skills. By the end, you'll have a solid portfolio, some career insights, and a community of artists to connect with.
My final piece for the “Under Your Skin Showcase.”.
This year, our special project was to take a set of matryoshka dolls (Russian nesting dolls) and transform them into a work of art to display at the Urban Arts Gallery’s “Under Your Skin Showcase.” This showcase was unique, it featured art by tattoo artists and live tattoo sessions in the gallery throughout the month of November.
Kelz (@studio_zoob) and I will be learning to tattoo at The Hive with Mason Atlas, as a result of this program.
You can sign up for the next Tattoo Jr. Program HERE. It will take place in Fall 2025.
The 2024 Cohort of Juniors
I am not exaggerating when I say that ANY of my classmates could have been selected for the apprenticeship at The Hive. Everyone was incredibly unique and creative and kind. Make sure to follow each of them online where you can, they are creatives you should be watching. Especially if you like collecting art.
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Find her art HERE.
A Utah artist specializing in contemporary realism oil painting. -
Follow her online HERE to see her art.
Alyssa has been tattooing since 2021 and is currently at Only Forever Tattoo in SLC, UT. -
Find his work HERE.
Brennan is an artist in SLC, UT. His work ranges from pop culture to portraits.
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Bonewood can be followed HERE.
Based in SLC, UT, Bonewood has an eye for lines. He has designed artwork for bands and frequently dips his toe into animation.
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The name says it all. See Tea’s work HERE. And get on her waiting list if you can.
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Emily does phenomenal pet portraits, take a LOOK.
Illustrator, fine artist, mother.
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See her work HERE.
This SLC-based tattoo artist does amazing anime-focused pieces and more. Check out some of her flash.
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Ash’s abstract work speaks to my inner child in a really unique way. See their work HERE.
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Follow along with Mossball.Studios and see what she has in store next.
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See Ryan’s work HERE.
Ryan is a mixed media artist based here in Utah. Contact him for any prints or business inquiries.
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Looking for paintings, portraits, and fantasy art? What about coding? See what Bella has to offer HERE.
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A self-described “ipad baby,” I would christen Kelz an “ipad saint.”
Check out his stickers AND follow along his tattoo apprentice/junior journey HERE.
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See Kaitlynn’s work HERE.
I know the username sounds hyperspecific, but don’t be afraid. Go follow. This SLC-based artist’s work is vintagey, pop arty, and fun.
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This queer artist based in Provo makes some of the most delicate, body positive, and lovely figure studies. See their work HERE.
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I’ve known Will for almost as long as I’ve lived in Utah… which is just over a decade. His art never disappoints. Follow him HERE and don’t be afraid to commission him for a portrait. He does amazing portraits.
Special Thanks
A special shout out has to go to Mason Atlas, who both created and hosted the program. Kelz and I are both really excited to be learning the ins-and-outs of tattooing from him. Mason is a dynamic tattoo artist whose style is influenced by the world. He incorporates a combination of the environment, culture and influences from other artist-creatives, globally.
His instagram is HERE.
Learn more HERE.
Other people who contributed with time or knowledge, in no particular order, were:
Matt Hodel | @Matt_Hodel_Tattoo
Urban Arts Gallery | www.urbanartsgallery.org
What’s Next?
I’ll be sharing what I learn in my tattoo junior experience as it continues, periodically. You can check the blog when you remember, keep tabs on my instagram, or fill out the form on THIS PAGE to be more consistently in the loop.