PRICK THE SKIN

Joel "Fatboy" Tafoya

 

My name is Joel Tafoya. I don't really specialize in any particular style, but I really enjoy doing realistic style work when I get the chance. I have experience with just about every style of tattooing- Black and Grey, Portrait, Color, Traditional, Realism, you name it- I will always give you my best.

 

About me??

 

I'm a Colorado Boy, originally. Raised in the mountains of Southeast Colorado. We didn't have a television when I was growing up, so I took up drawing. When I graduated from high school, I joined the Army and got stationed in Panama where I was bitten by the ink bug. I got my first tattoo from a guy we called Jimmy the Hooch in Panama City, Panama in 1991. That poorly done piece has since been covered up, but that was the beginning of my ink journey. Upon returning stateside, I sought out other tattoo artists in my quest to learn the art. I was met with much resistance everywhere I looked, but I was persistent. I finally found a shop that would let me hang around enough to learn a bit about the art. Laughing Leprechaun in Durango, CO and James "Shamus" Wharton showed me the basics of tattooing over about a year and a half of my constant loitering and being a general nuisance at their shop. From there, I moved on to Pueblo, CO, where I was offered a chair at Silver Needle Tattooing and Body Piercing where I worked with Kevin "Pink" Davis. I worked out of that shop for about 4 years and took on two apprentices: Doug Romano (http://tattoosbydougromano.com/)- who now slings ink at Evolution Tattoo in Reno, Nevada  and Jaysin Griego- Who now owns New Element Tattoo and Body Piercing in Pueblo, CO. I then moved on to bigger and better things when offered an opportunity to work with/for a legend in the tattoo industry, Leon Miller, at A to Z Masters Tattooing and Body Piercing in Pueblo, CO. Through Leon, I was exposed to and able to meet other notable personalities of the tattoo world like Lyle Tuttle, Rich Ives, Paul Booth, Big Mike Nickels, and Brian Everett. I was also blessed to work with some great artists like, JUPE (David Roque) and Lonnie Markus. After some time at A to Z, I was fortunate to be offered a chair at a new shop being opened by a good friend, Tony Madrid. After a good amount of hard work, we opened Permanent Addiction in the Mesa Junction area of Pueblo, CO. We had an amazing clientele there and soon had to expand to another location on the East side of Pueblo, Permanent Addiction II. Tony has since moved to Warrensburg, MO where he has opened up the Dublin Social Club. At that time, I moved to Dodge City and was offered a wonderful opportunity to work with some awesome people here at Prick the Skin. I look forward to working on YOUR next tattoo!

 

I am a family man with a beautiful wife and 6 amazing children. I enjoy family time, painting, drawing and riding my Harley whenever I have a chance.