Meet Shino Talbott | Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shino Talbott and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shino, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My main goal with starting my artistic adventure was to cut away from the mundane 9-5 and actively seek something that made me nervous, but excited to get up and do it in the morning. I wanted a reason to get dressed for the day- a spark back in my life that had felt missing for quite some time. At the start of Covid in 2020, I took the plunge and threw myself more into my artistic endeavors- there is never a good time when the world is on hold though, you know? It was hard starting out, but I pushed through that. I knew I couldn’t keep the same pace I’d been repeating for years, and I wanted something challenging, but fulfilling to my own needs.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a tattoo artist! Since I was a kid, I grew up in and around tattoo shops. They were a prominent part of my after school life, as my step father at the time was also a tattoo apprentice. Being an artist was a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and I spent many days as a child talking my friends ears off about how one day I’d be that. (Thanks for putting up with that guys, I told you I’d keep my promise.)

I don’t really know what I’d call my style. I love bright colors, weird concepts- a mix of plants, anime, bugs and skulls the most. I’m also a traditional artist, specializing in bold watercolor and acrylic canvas work, and a musician. I am currently in the process of painting an original collection of various themed skulls and skeletons, which I’m excited to one day finish.

I started this adventure during the start of Covid, March 2020. In hindsight, trying to start a business when the entire world is paused was maybe not the brightest idea I’ve had, but it was worth it to fight for it to become my reality. I woke up one day, panicked about what the future would be after this was all over. I was in a dark spot, and art was my only outlet for a long time. I desperately needed a reason to wake up in the mornings- something to start a fire in me again. So, I messaged Levi Smith- an 18 year experienced artist I had personally been getting tattoos from for years, if he was looking for an apprentice, or if he had any plans for future ones.

He said no.

From there, we built a cycle of him sending me projects: me drawing them out, getting feedback, and repeat. I wanted to prove that I was serious about this, and it went on for 3 months. In May 2020, he finally agreed to make me his apprentice. Queue the next 3 years of learning about my machines, the pigments used, medical information I needed to know, and ect. I wasn’t even allowed to touch a machine until I could pull apart and reassemble my own.

I took things slow and steady- soaking in every mistake, every critique, and every random tidbit of info my mentor would slip in while letting me watch him work. From fake skins, to fruit, and friends being willing to make the sacrifice- I mean, willing to volunteer. I got better. It took 3 years of challenges, mistakes, and wins, but in June of 2023, I finally finished my apprenticeship.

It was never easy. There were many times I questioned if I really wanted this.

I’ve learned a lot- not just artistically, but personally I feel. It’s helped me grow as a person, and the days feel brighter. It taught me a few things, 2 of which I’d like to emphasize:
1-Seek feedback. Improvement and growth start when you’re open to a different perspective.
2-Create art, just so the world will have more of it.

If there is anything I want the world to know about myself and my art, then it’s that a lot of love, support, and hard work went into getting me here today. There is no easy road to building a dream, but I’m thankful for the people that helped me travel it anyways.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There is so much I love about Arizona. I’d definitely take them to the Japanese Friendship Gardens in downtown Phoenix- it’s one of my most favorite “chill” scenery type places we have here. From the nature walk there and feeding the koi, I can spend hours in that spot. We would probably spend the remainder of the day walking through the Roosevelt art district (hopefully during first friday) checking out the shops and art, then finish the day by going thrifting. We’d snag coffee in the mornings from PROVISIONS off of 7th street in downtown as well- it’s a neat multiple story coffee shop with plants EVERYWHERE, plus their nitro cold brews are pretty decent. Depending on whats happening that week, I’d try to drag them out for a few shows- Yucca and the Nile usually have something cool happening! The Rebel Lounge is one of my favorite small venues here, and I love going to Emo Nites. I also love karaoke, so they’d be subjected to a night or two of that while visiting. Can you say you’ve visited AZ without an iconic Mill Ave adventure? Because I would definitely make them walk up and down at least twice (it would just be an excuse to go pokemon hunting, don’t judge me too harshly).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mentor, Levi Smith. A phenomenal tattoo artist of over 18 years, comic book illustrator, father, and friend. Without his guidance, his patience, and his support, I would never have gotten to where I am today. Thank you Levi, for all you have done, continue to do, and for all the lectures you let me listen to.

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Image Credits
Image credits to Kirsten Kavanaugh/NikkiVicious of Dark Stars Media!