Meet Jon Youngn of Mt.Lookout

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Youngn.

Hi Jon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m originally from the Cincinnati area but have only recently moved back this year after living in the Pacific Northwest since 2009. My opportunity to get into tattooing came from doing caricatures at a zombie themed convention where I met my mentor . Which had me moving from Portland , OR to Seattle ,WA and working in the Capitol Hill neighborhood , one of the more colorful and vibrant neighborhoods in the city . Tattooing has taken me all over though between conventions and moving I’ve tattooed up and down the west coast. But now I’m looking forward to tattooing and traveling all over the midwest . Currently homebase though is Dark Stallion in the Mt.Lookout neighborhood.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Any career in the arts is never a smooth road theres ups and downs and tattooing is no different . Those first few years out of my apprenticeship were stressful. Building a clientele , refining and bettering my skills as well as balancing a few part time jobs to make sure I stayed afloat in early part of my career . Life has had me moving hundreds of miles to only start that process of building clientele again when my partner and I moved to San Jose for her work , and now again moving back to Cincinnati to be closer to my family has me rebuilding clientele again. But thats not a bad thing at all ! It has allowed me the opportunity to refine my skills as an artist and understand the needs of the community I am apart of and what they’re looking for tattoo wise and what niche I might fill with my tattooing and style.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a tattooer providing my take on American Traditional tattoos and Japanese inspired imagery . I would like to think I’m known for my bright color palette and bold imagery that you notice from across the room . My coworkers might say its also my bed side manner where everyone is made to feel welcome in my booth ,with that tending to attract alot of first timers to come to me since I make sure we are always on the same page and they are able to be part of the process . I feel like that goes along way to help the average person feel good in such an unfamiliar environment. Something I’m most proud of though ? Honestly the fact that people enjoy my art enough they come back again and again . Having clients that give you entire limbs or fronts or backs and give you an idea to run with are truly the best .

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I am not the right fit for everyone and that is something that is tough to learn starting out . Being able to recognize that and help send them to a fellow artist who might be a better fit for their project is one of the biggest hurdles and I think is an important part of being an artist in tattooing . Never tattooing just for the money but to give someone a piece they will be happy with forever.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jonyoungn.com
• Instagram: jonyoungn
• Other: tik tok: keepitkayfabe