Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Joyes.
Hi Jordan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Tattooing is part of my family history. I’m a second-generation tattoo artist, and State Of The Art Tattooing was established in Winchester, Virginia, by my father in 1986. I grew up around the studio and was introduced early to both the artistic side of tattooing and the responsibility that comes with it.
I did my first tattoo at 13 on my father and fell in love with the trade. I then pursued an apprenticeship and became a licensed tattoo artist in 2006. I spent the following years developing my own voice and building relationships with my clients. Although I came into the industry through my family, I still had to earn my own place in it. I learned through years of hands-on experience, constant drawing, and the willingness to keep evolving as both an artist and a person.
At age 21 following the passing of my father, I became the owner of State Of The Art Tattooing. Taking responsibility for a business with such a long history has been both deeply meaningful and incredibly humbling. My goal has never been to preserve it as a time capsule, but to honor its roots while allowing it to grow into something that reflects the artist and business owner I am today.
State Of The Art is now a woman-owned private tattoo studio focused on thoughtful, custom work and a personal client experience. I also travel and work as a resident guest artist in Austin Texas, which has allowed me to expand my clientele, experience different creative communities, and continually bring fresh perspective back to my work in Virginia. Nearly two decades into my career, I still feel fortunate that people trust me with their stories, their bodies, and often some very meaningful transformations.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Tattooing requires you to be both an artist and a businessperson, and those two roles demand very different skills. There is no clear manual for learning how to manage a studio, support other artists, market a business, navigate changing technology, and still protect enough creative energy to make meaningful work.
Being a woman in an industry that was historically very male-dominated also came with challenges, especially when I was younger. I learned that being taken seriously required not only strong work, but clear boundaries, resilience, and confidence in my own judgment.
One of the most difficult parts of my journey has been taking on the responsibility of carrying forward my father’s legacy while also processing the loss of him. State Of The Art Tattooing is not simply a business I purchased—it is tied to my family, my childhood, and a person I loved deeply. Learning how to honor what he built without feeling confined by it has taken time. I’ve had to give myself permission to make changes, develop my own leadership style, and build a studio that reflects my values.
There have also been the ordinary but very real struggles of self-employment: uncertain seasons, long hours, physical wear from tattooing, and the pressure of knowing that every decision ultimately rests with you. Those experiences have made me more intentional. I’ve learned that success is not only about staying busy; it is about creating a sustainable career, maintaining high standards, and building a place where both clients and artists feel respected.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I create custom tattoos with an emphasis on illustrative, botanical, color, fine-line, and cover-up work. I’m especially drawn to projects that combine strong imagery with an organic sense of movement and flow with the body. I want a tattoo to be beautiful as a piece of artwork, but I also want it to feel as though it truly belongs on the person wearing it.
Another significant part of my work involves helping clients transform tattoos they no longer connect with. Cover-ups and reworks require technical problem-solving, creativity, and honest communication about what is possible. They can also be surprisingly emotional. Sometimes a client is ready to reclaim a part of their body or move beyond an earlier chapter of their life. Being trusted to help with that transformation is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
I’m proud of the longevity of my career and of continuing the legacy of State Of The Art Tattooing, which has served the Winchester community since 1986. I’m equally proud that I have continued to evolve rather than relying solely on that history. Nearly twenty years into tattooing, I still study, draw, paint, travel, and look for ways to become a stronger artist.
What sets my work apart is the combination of experience, personal attention, and genuine collaboration. Our studio is private and intentionally welcoming, and I want clients to feel listened to rather than rushed through a process. Many people come to me with an idea, a memory, or an existing tattoo they no longer love, but they may not know how to translate it visually. My job is to understand what matters to them and then use my experience to turn it into a tattoo that is distinctive, technically sound, and made to age well.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
This year marks 40 years since State Of The Art Tattooing opened in Winchester, which feels incredibly significant to me. I’m grateful to every person who has trusted us, shared their story, recommended us to someone they love, or supported the studio through different generations. A small business does not reach a milestone like this without its community!
I’m excited about the future—continuing to grow as an artist, welcoming new creative energy into the studio, and carrying State Of The Art forward in a way that respects its history while allowing it to evolve. For anyone considering a tattoo, my best advice is to choose an artist whose work speaks to you and who makes you feel genuinely heard. The best tattoos begin with trust and collaboration, and it is never too late to create something meaningful—or transform something you no longer love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stateofthearttattooing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanjoyes/
