There’s a certain magic when a classic, timeless style meets a dedicated person. Justin joined the Art and Sol family three years ago, bringing a deep passion for tattooing. He was then drawn to the bold lines, vibrant color, and timeless cool factor of American Traditional tattoos. Whether you are coming in with a fully realized idea or looking to grab walk-in flash, Justin’s chair is where solid design meets genuine hospitality.
We sat down with Justin for The Art and Sol: A Deep Dive interview to let you get to know the artist behind the machine, his philosophy on balancing a tattoo, and why he thrives when the shop is buzzing.
Check out his deep dive below, view his portfolio, and book some time in his chair!
The Art and Sol: A Deep Dive
Artist Feature: Justin Winkler
Everyone has that one moment where they realized a “normal” life wasn’t for them. What was the first thing you saw, or the first win you had, that made you realize you belonged in a creative environment?
- Justin: “I’m not sure if it was one specific moment, but my interests have always changed throughout my life. The one constant has always been art, or drawing at the very least. So while I would draw for fun, I never realized I could do art for a living until I was in high school. Once I started looking into what the life of a professional artist was like, I knew no other lifestyle was going to fit me.”
If someone sees your work, how do they know it’s yours? What is a detail you’re obsessed with getting right before you consider a task done?
- Justin: “I’m always trying to balance my work. If something is built from a lot of simple shapes, I’ll add detail to compensate. If the shapes are complex, less detail. My favorite artists do this a lot—their work is seemingly perfectly balanced, so I’m always trying to replicate those characteristics.”
What’s actually happening at your station when you’re “in the zone”? What’s the music? Are you a deep focus/silent type, or do you need the energy of the room to do your best work?
- Justin: “I’m at my best in my station when the music is crawling out of the 90’s, my client and I are laughing and talking a lot, and the shop is buzzing with people and energy. My favorite tattoo environment is when every chair in the shop is filled, people have brought their friends, and everyone is talking and cracking jokes with each other. Can’t beat it.”
We talk a lot about being the most thoughtful shop in America. Tell me about a time you realized your role was more than just the job. How do you handle it when the pressure is on and a client (or the shop) needs something extra from you?
- Justin: “One of the earliest tattoos I did was a classic “mom” heart with a banner on my buddy’s wrist. His mom is older and doesn’t really care for tattoos, so I thought him getting that particular tattoo was kinda funny. When he showed her the tattoo that night, she cried. She loved it! Being honored through that kind of pain and permanence can really move someone, regardless of how they feel about tattoos—and I find that very special and unique to this profession.”
We’ve all hit a wall where something isn’t clicking or the day feels like it’s fighting you. When you hit that wall, what’s your move? How do you get the train back on the tracks without losing your cool?
- Justin: “I’m in my head a lot, so these kinds of days can be particularly challenging for me. I’ve found that it’s best to lower my expectations for the day and just focus on finishing one task. If I can do that, it’ll usually right the ship. And if that doesn’t work, I can always count on my friends at the shop to help get me out of the rut—they’re good at that.”
What’s your white whale you’re currently chasing? Is there a specific skill, a system, or a subject matter or style you’re losing sleep over trying to figure out in the next six months?
- Justin: “My current white whale is peace. Whether it’s peace in my relationships, at home, or in tattooing, I’m trying to structure my life in a way that makes things more simple, more predictable, and most importantly, more peaceful.”
You have a sudden hour of downtime and your to-do list is clear. What is your move to stay productive or improve the shop environment?
- Justin: “My go-to when I have a moment is to clean and organize. Things can always be improved upon, so when I’ve got some downtime at the shop and I’ve checked all the items off my list, I’ll try and find something that could use some tightening up or maybe a bit of maintenance. It’s easy for the little things to get overlooked.”
You’ve seen places that work and places that are a mess. What is the thing that makes a shop feel like a world-class kind of place rather than just a workplace?
- Justin: “A place that feels like it’s been lived in and has some character is my favorite. When a space feels like it’s seen some history and has been built specifically to serve its purpose and has done so for years, those places stand out to me. If it’s too sterile (white walls, white floor, fluorescent lights) it just feels like a grocery store.”
What do you do when you aren’t at the shop or drawing? What’s the hobby or passion that has nothing to do with the shop, but somehow makes you better when you’re back in the building?
- Justin: “My favorite out-of-shop hobby is hiking and camping. I love the adventure, seeing things not many people get to see, pushing your body to reach the destination, and then coming out of it with a story to tell. And the best trips are the ones that don’t go according to plan.”
You can find Justin tattooing full-time with us at Art and Sol Tattoo, located inside the Moto Sonora Brewing taproom at 1015 S Park Ave.
Ready to get your next piece of high-quality, solid ink?
Have a cool walk-in design in mind? Call or text us 520-314-7358 or just roll on by the brewery, grab a pint, and come see what Justin has ready on his flash sheets. We are open 7 days a week from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM!