Jeffrey Bowser

@jckbtattoos

• 📍 Heritage Tattoo Las Vegas, Nevada (@heritagetattoolv)
• Eyes: 😍
• Hair: Fresh 💇🏻‍♂️

This month we are giving a spotlight to an amazing artist located here in Las Vegas! Jeffrey's been a huge supporter of our local events, even donating a hand-painted record to our Vino & Vinyl event hosted by our partner shop, Studio 21 Tattoo (check out how rad his record was ⬇️!).

On top of his participation in our local events, you might recognize him as one of our guests on the Support Your Local Tattooer Podcast from February! If you haven't already, check it out—it's such a great episode!! WATCH NOW

Above everything, Jeffrey is an AMAZING tattoo artist. If you don't believe us—just see for yourself! 👀👇 Make sure to keep reading to learn about the moment that solidified his desire to become a tattoo artist and the challenges he was able to overcome when getting into the industry.

What made you realize you wanted to become a tattoo artist? 

It's a funny story! When I was in 6th grade, I started getting into metal & my favorite band was Avenged Sevenfold! I idolized these guys & I wanted to look just like them when I was younger, but I would always hear things like 'no one will hire you with that many tattoos'. So I would think to myself 'well, it wouldn't matter if I became a musician like my guys in A7x!'

So... I picked up a guitar.... but I was extremely bad & I also realized I had NO desire to learn guitar the same way I had with drawing! 

So I thought, well, if I can do music, what if I became the guys DOING the tattoos! And I really manifested that! Some years pass & I ended up getting my first tattoo at 16 in a tattoo shop, and that's when it really solidified that dream. 

What is one challenge you have had to overcome within the tattoo industry?

One challenge I've overcome within the industry was definitely my apprenticeship! My apprentice taught me so much and opened up my eyes to so many possibilities!

When I got my shot at it all, one of the agreements I had with my mentor was that I had to be at the shop every day 12pm-8pm, but at this time I've been working full-time, graveyard shift at Nobu Hotel when I agreed to being at the shop everyday! Doing this, no doubt, changed my brain chemistry lol. 

I was able to do that for 3 months before I couldn't anymore, and that's when I had to make the decision to give up, or continue with what i've set out for myself!

I ended up leaving my job to pursue my apprenticeship head-on which in turn taught me to believe in myself, be purposeful, and never give up!

The impact that all had on me helped mold the person I am today and I am proud to have gone through a traditional apprenticeship! Tattooing is mystical and I absolutely LOVE IT.