I’ve had a bit of an epiphany lately, in regards to picking a tattoo style.
(Side note: I am eternally grateful for spell check in spelling words like epiphany. I’m also pretty sure my brain missed an important part of school where spelling was supposed to stick, and it has since rebelled against becoming a good speller. So yes, I will continue to rely on spell check.)
But this epiphany actually started with reading.
“Maybe a specialist is only a coward, afraid to look out of his own cage. And think what any specialist misses—the whole world over his fence.”
-John Steinbeck, East Eden
The Algorithm Reading Problem
I read a lot. For years I’ve mostly picked books on my phone through the Kindle app. It’s convenient because I don’t have to go to the store, and sometimes I don’t even know what I want to read until something pops up.
But eventually I noticed something.
The algorithm had quietly pushed me into a narrow hallway of books that all felt the same. Same characters. Same plot twists. Same style of storytelling.
My brain had stopped being curious.
Like a lot of people, I love fantasy and sci-fi books. I’ve been reading them since I was a kid riding my bike to the library to devour Star Wars books (which, by the way, are apparently no longer canon… but that’s a rant for another day).
But eventually I realized I had stopped exploring other kinds of stories.
And honestly, this happens with a lot of things in life.
When you’re faced with constant choices every day, decision fatigue sets in. By the time you want to relax with something simple, like choosing a book, you default to whatever feels easiest.
Breaking Out of the Reading Loop
So I did something radical.
I went to a bookstore.
(I know, groundbreaking.)
I avoided my usual sections and picked books that were way outside my normal reading habits. The first one I finished was East of Eden by John Steinbeck.
The book was long, and at times it almost felt like reading someone’s journal entries. But it was fascinating. I started highlighting quotes and actually thinking about them.
I could only read a chapter or two at a time, which is unusual for me. Normally I can devour an entire book in a day. But I’m starting to realize that might be because a lot of the books I read are predictable.
This one wasn’t.
And one quote in particular really stuck with me.
“Maybe a specialist is only a coward, afraid to look out of his own cage. And think what any specialist misses—the whole world over his fence.”
— John Steinbeck
It made me start thinking about tattooing.
The Question Every Tattoo Artist Gets: Tattoo Style
As a tattoo apprentice, I get asked the same question a lot:
“What’s your style?”
People want to know if I do:
- American traditional tattoos
- Black and grey tattoos
- Fine line tattoos
- Realism tattoos
And honestly… I never know what to say. There’s this pressure to pick a lane. Specialize. Make it easy for people to understand what you do.
But lately I’m starting to think that might be a mistake.
Why Specializing Too Early Can Be Limiting
Specializing isn’t inherently bad. Many incredible tattoo artists focus on one style and become masters of it.
But for me, right now, choosing just one feels narrow.
Exploring different tattoo styles gives you tools. Each style teaches something different about composition, line work, shading, color, and storytelling.
And if I’m being completely honest…I’ll probably get bored if I only do one thing.
My reading habits already proved that.
Going from the fantasy worlds of Sarah J. Maas to the layered storytelling of East of Eden was such a huge shift that it made reading exciting again.
The same might be true for tattooing.
Tattoo Styles I’m Exploring Right Now
Instead of trying to define my tattoo style too early, I’ve been paying attention to what I like about different styles.
American Traditional Tattoos
A true classic. Bold lines, strong imagery, and designs built to last. This style has influenced tattooing for generations.
Neo-Traditional Tattoos
I love the smooth gradients and the variation in line weights. It feels like a modern evolution of American traditional tattooing.
New School Tattoos
I haven’t experimented with this style yet, but I really like the cartoon influence and the bold color palettes.
Black and Grey Tattoos
Love. Love. Love.
If I were ever going to specialize in something, this might be it. The depth and contrast you can create with black and grey tattoos is incredible.
Realism Tattoos
I find realism both inspiring and intimidating. But I do enjoy doing color-pencil realism drawings, which is probably more connected to tattoo realism than I realize.
Japanese Tattoo Style
I’ve recently started studying Japanese tattooing and I’m really drawn to the history and symbolism within the style.
For more in-depth exploration of tattoo styles here’s a great resource!
*all images were taken from this website none of these are mine*
Why I’m Okay Not Picking a Tattoo Style Yet
Right now, I’m okay with exploring.
Learning.
Trying things.
Because sometimes the most interesting ideas happen when you look outside your own cage.
And as John Steinbeck pointed out, the whole world might be waiting just over the fence.
Now the sales Pitch.. Unfortunately Because honestly, its why I have a blog.
Otherwise Id keep these musings and thoughts restricted to my runs, where most of my internal dialogue happens. But sense you are here, and have made it to the end!
You get pitch.
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