Josh, a British tattoo artist now based in Philadelphia and known in the tattoo world as Teej, is renowned for his deep black work—pure and simple. His work often involves total cover-ups, alternating thick or more fine lines depending on his clients’ requests and the effect requested.
Yet, it’s always pure black, because, as he tells us in this interview: “Whether it’s for creating striking contrasts or enhancing the intricate details in more contemporary or abstract designs, black ink is a fundamental element that brings a powerful and timeless quality to tattoo art.”
Hi Josh would you like to introduce yourself to our readers? Where are you from and where are you working at the moment?
Hey! I’m Josh, or more commonly known as Teej, I’m originally from a small town called Ilkley, just outside of Leeds UK, I moved to London in 2014 for my apprenticeship at Prick Tattoos in Shoreditch under the tutelage of Henry Hate. In 2016 I moved to Gothenburg, Sweden, where I spent 7 years, and last year I moved to Philadelphia PA where I work at Black Vulture Gallery.
You are focused on full black and ornamental tattoos. Can you tell me why these styles? What do you like most about full black and how do you express your creativity through it?
The heavy blackwork I’m known for was never a conscious choice to go towards, it just found me organically. From early on in my career I’ve always preferred to use just black ink. From traditional, to a more finer line sketch/illustrative style, people knew that I used black.
Over the years I got asked to do some blackout sleeves. It wasn’t until 5 years ago that it really took off, I did a blackout sleeve, posted it, got a couple of bookings for more, and it just grew from there.
The majority of my work these days is full blackout projects, often covering older tattoos for clients who want a fresh start.
Some however go straight in for the full black on virgin skin, they are attracted to the style which is becoming more popular today. It’s still a somewhat fringe style, but as with many styles, the more people get it, the more people see it, so it can only continue to grow. With the concepts I create I like to infuse patterns and flow where possible to work with the body shapes, a lot of the influence comes from nature and organic shapes.
Do you like any particular interpretations of black? For example, the hands you tattooed with thick black lines in bio mech?
I find that black ink offers incredible versatility and can be used in various ways to achieve different effects. For instance, I enjoy exploring how thick, solid black can create bold, graphic designs, while subtle gradients and shading can add depth and dimension to more intricate pieces. Whether creating striking contrasts or enhancing the intricate details in more contemporary or abstract designs, black ink is a fundamental element that brings a powerful and timeless quality to tattoo art.
How did you become a tattoo artist?
It all started I guess at an early age, the music I listened to, the posters on my walls were of musicians and skateboarders who were tattooed. I honestly couldn’t tell you what they had, but the aesthetic of being heavily tattooed was something I wanted, it was also a sign of rebellion and taking control of your own body and image. Once I got my first tattoo at the age of 17 I fell in love even harder and knew it was something that was going to take over my life, I just never expected it to lead me to where I’m today in my 10 years in the industry.
I graduated university with my bachelor’s degree in Product Design, but already by the time I finished, I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do in my life. After a few months of working after graduation, my dad pulled me aside for a serious talk about my future. That’s when I told him what I actually wanted to do with my life and career choice, and surprisingly he was supportive, After explaining how it worked to learn and finding an apprenticeship I moved to London and managed to get into an apprenticeship under Henry Hate at Prick Tattoos in Shoreditch.
It was a very traditional apprenticeship, I was the first one in and the last one out every day, I scrubbed every inch of the studio, ran errands, and did anything Henry asked of me.
He was my gatekeeper to the life I dreamt of and had a fingertips grasp of, and the way I learnt his knowledge was to prove myself daily
He taught me how to build and assemble machines, needle making, art history from many styles and how they are relevant to tattoo styles, tattoo composition and the body. Huck Spauldings A-Z was my bible and I was tested on every chapter.
I wasn’t allowed to touch a machine for the first 6 months, and even then, it was just line work, that’s the backbone of every tattoo and I had to see how they healed before shading/colouring. All the fundamentals were covered and I’m eternally grateful for these times and knowledge I learned from him and the life it has led me into.
Where do you find your inspirations?
I find a lot of my inspirations in nature and in its natural flow. Observing the gentle rhythm of a flowing river, the intricate patterns of a leaf, or the quiet majesty of a mountain range can spark profound creativity.
The way nature effortlessly balances strength and fragility, order and randomness, provides endless ideas.
These elements remind me of the beauty in simplicity and the power of harmony, guiding me to create with a sense of connection to the world around me.
What is the most difficult technical aspect of doing a total black tattoo?
For me, I’d say the most difficult technical aspect of this style is working with the skin, as the canvas you’re working on changes dramatically every day. The majority of clients that come for blackout tattoos have older tattoos they want to cover. These tattoos vary in style, some with more trauma, some with colour, scarred lines, multiples layers of work where they have tried to cover another tattoo before, some where they have poor blackout work.
So every day is a new challenge, to work with the canvas in front of me and try to create a large field of smooth black.
Do you like to travel? Are there places you’d love to go or studios where you’d really like to work?
Since moving to Philadelphia last summer, I haven’t had the chance to travel for work yet, work has been so busy here that there just hasn’t been a window to organise a guest spot. I do need to get to the west coast of America, San Francisco has been on my list of places to visit for a long time and will be guesting at Analogue Tattoo Arts Kollective with Adrian. Next year I also want to get back to Sweden for a guest spot, I still have my clients there and some ongoing projects that I’d love to continue.
How do you see yourself as a professional tattoo artist in the next years?
In the coming years, I see myself evolving as a tattoo artist by continually pushing the boundaries of my craft and expanding my knowledge of tattooing techniques and design principles. I’m excited to explore and incorporate new styles, and integrating innovative concepts into my work.
How would you like to greet our readers?
To our readers: I want to say a heartfelt hello and express my gratitude for your support. As I embark on this journey of artistic evolution, I hope to inspire and connect with you through my work. Your encouragement and engagement are invaluable, and I’m thrilled to share this adventure with you as we explore the ever-evolving world of tattoo art together.
