Convention Connection: From Piercing in Wisconsin to 13 Tattoo Artists in Denver, Jymi Calkins’ Journey
Jymi Calkins didn’t love piercing. He took the job in Wisconsin because it got him inside a tattoo shop, closer to what he really wanted to do. Twenty years later, he owns the building that houses Long Live Tattoo Collective in Denver’s Santa Fe Arts District, where 13 Tattoo Artists work across multiple floors. His path ran through years of touring with heavy bands and a stretch of 30 conventions a year. It also included a move to a city he’d barely seen, right before COVID hit. We caught up with Jymi at the Villain Arts Tattoo Festival in Kansas City for Convention Connection.
Key Takeaways
Who: Jymi Calkins owns Long Live Tattoo Collective in Denver, home to 13 Tattoo Artists.
The start: He pierced for about four years in Wisconsin before he finally got to tattoo.
The style: Intricate mandalas and sacred geometry blended with floral, organic linework.
The turning point: Geometric work tightened his line work, and convention competitions helped him focus his style.
His advice: Do what motivates you, and be smart with money, because being booked out today doesn’t mean you’ll stay there.
Who is Jymi Calkins?
Jymi Calkins is a Tattoo Artist and tattoo shop owner in Denver, known for intricate mandala and sacred geometry work.
His style is built on repeating patterns. He blends geometric designs with flowers and organic elements, so the floral work seems to grow right out of the sacred geometry.
Lately, he’s been bringing back subject matter he’s always loved drawing and adding geometric and ornamental elements to it.
His career hasn’t followed a straight line. It’s taken him from Wisconsin to the road with heavy bands, onto the convention circuit, and finally to Denver. Today, he owns the building his tattoo shop operates in.
Why do tattoo conventions change careers?
For Jymi, conventions gave him a new goal at a time when he wasn’t sure what came next.
After his band broke up in his 30s, he didn’t know what to do. Years of touring and playing aggressive music had worn on him. But he’d tattooed a lot, so he started checking out tattoo conventions.
That’s where he discovered tattoo competitions. Winning awards became a kind of game. It was exciting to feel himself getting good at something he hadn’t been great at before.
At his peak, he was doing about 30 conventions a year and was barely ever home.
Today, he says he doesn’t care much about competing anymore. But competitions helped him figure out what he wanted to do. Before that, he didn’t really know.
Pro Tip: Bring a small, honest portfolio to a convention, even if it's just sketches. Mentors notice effort long before they notice polish.
How did Jymi go from piercing in Wisconsin to leading in Denver?
Jymi’s path took him through piercing, touring with bands, the convention circuit, and finally to owning his own building.
Why did Jymi start as a piercer?
Jymi always wanted to tattoo, but piercing was a way into a tattoo shop. He got to start tattooing about four years in, and he was glad to be done with piercing.
Tattooing to fund the music
For his first six or seven years of tattooing, Jymi was also playing in bands and touring. Music was a lifelong passion, and he took it seriously. Tattooing helped him fund his music projects.
Finding his style
When Jymi got into tattooing, he thought he’d do color abstract work. Then he started spending time with Tattoo Artists who were into neo-traditional, so he tried color neo-trad.
He says his color work was great during his first five or six years, but his line work wasn’t as tight as it could be. Geometric work helped him tighten those skills. It was also the work that did well when he competed.
So he set everything else aside and focused only on that style for a long time. He took a financial hit while he did it, and he’s grateful to the clients who let him make the switch.
The move to Denver
During his years of heavy convention travel, a friend who was tattooing back home was living with him. When the friend decided to move to Denver, Jymi asked him to pack up his things with his own. Jymi met him there after a convention stint, without even knowing what his new home looked like.
COVID hit shortly after he arrived.
Building Long Live Tattoo Collective
After COVID, Jymi opened his tattoo shop on the middle floor of a building, with a basement for music gear and a place to relax. For the first couple of years, he had a small crew of four or five people.
When his lease was up, the building’s owners decided to sell. Rather than lose his space, he bought the building. That opened up the top floor. His team grew to eight, and now 13 Tattoo Artists work there.
What can you learn from Jymi's journey?
Jymi’s journey shows that a tattoo career can take years to find its shape, and that’s okay.
Here’s what his story teaches:
Getting in the door counts: Jymi took a piercing job because it got him into a tattoo shop.
Weaknesses can lead you to your style: He went after geometric work to tighten his line work, and it became his specialty.
Focus takes sacrifice: Narrowing to one style cost him for a while, but it paid off.
Do what motivates you: He says many Tattoo Artists focus on what everyone else is doing. He pushes his work further by combining the things he enjoys.
Be smart with money: As you earn more, your expenses tend to rise too. He says bookings have slowed during the economic downturn of the past few years. Just because you’re blowing up now doesn’t mean you’ll stay there.
Before you start, read our guide on mistakes aspiring tattoo apprentices should avoid.
How do you build your own convention connection?
You build a convention connection by showing up, learning from other Tattoo Artists, and using conventions to sharpen your work.
Step 1: Build your skills first. Jymi was tattooing for years before he hit the convention circuit. Strong fundamentals come first.
Step 2: Try competing. Competitions helped Jymi see which style he was strongest in. They can do the same for you.
Step 3: Don’t make awards the goal. Jymi says competing matters less to him now. Use it to grow, not to define you.
Step 4: Plan for the grind. At 30 conventions a year, Jymi was barely home. Know what you can sustain.
Step 5: Budget wisely. Travel, booth fees, and time away add up. Save when business is good.
Step 6: Make it easy to book you. Jymi books through Instagram at @jymicalkins, where clients can message him or use the booking link in his bio.
To stay visible between conventions, see our list of platforms to help tattoo artists build their brand.
How does Ink Different help you start a tattoo career?
Ink Different Tattoos helps beginners start a tattoo career through the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship, with hands-on training from experienced Mentors and licensing support.
Jymi took a piercing job just to get closer to tattooing, then waited about four years for his chance. The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship gives you a direct path, with Mentors who know what you need to learn.
Ink Different has trained Tattoo Artists for 15 years. It’s also a college alternative, and tattooing is a hands-on, human craft that makes for an AI-proof career.
You’ll also join Ink Different’s “Good Humans” culture, a supportive community that wants you to succeed. If you've been considering a career change through a tattoo apprenticeship, this is a good place to start.
What programs does Ink Different offer?
Ink Different offers the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship for beginners and access to Master Mentors for Tattoo Artists ready to keep growing.
The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship: From beginner to job-ready
The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months across four phases. It’s built for beginners, so no prior art experience is required.
Phase-based training: Foundations, supervised practice, live client work, and licensing prep.
Licensing support: Ink Different helps you navigate your state’s requirements, like how long a tattoo license takes in Colorado.
A guaranteed job offer: You’ll receive a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s tattoo studios.
A career built on confidence and safety
This is a career that comes with confidence. You’ll finish with job-ready skills, licensing support, and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s 60+ tattoo studios nationwide. Training includes bloodborne pathogens protocols based on OSHA standards and proper client aftercare.
Master Mentorship: For artists who want to lead
Once you’ve built your foundation, you can keep growing with Ink Different’s Master Mentors, including Al Fliction, Liz Cook, Kyle Dunbar, Boneface, and Jordi Pla. Learning from Tattoo Artists at that level sharpens your technique, your style, and your business sense.
Making tattoo training accessible nationwide
Ink Different offers Spanish-speaking locations in Denver, Orange County, NYC, Miami, San Antonio, and San Diego. With 60+ locations nationwide, there’s likely one near you.
Remember: Seats are limited, with only two apprentices per tattoo studio per Mentor.
Ready to start your journey?
Jymi Calkins started piercing just to get closer to tattooing. Twenty years later, he owns a building filled with 13 Tattoo Artists. He got there by finding his style, putting in the work, and staying smart about the business.
Your path doesn’t have to start with a detour.
Ready to become a Tattoo Artist and build an AI-proof career? Apply now to Ink Different's Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship and start building an AI-proof career with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer. Prefer to explore first? Fill out our quick questionnaire to see if the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the right time to start a tattoo apprenticeship?
When you’re ready to commit. Seats are limited, with only two apprentices per tattoo studio per Mentor, so applying early helps.
Do I need prior art experience to become a tattoo artist?
No. Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship teaches drawing fundamentals, machine handling, and safety. Discipline and coachability matter more than a portfolio.
How long does the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship take?
The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months across four phases, with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer.
What makes Ink Different different from other tattoo training options?
Ink Different offers hands-on mentorship, access to Master Mentors, a guaranteed job offer, 15 years of experience, and a supportive “Good Humans” culture.
Can tattoo conventions really help launch my career?
Yes. Competing at conventions helped Jymi Calkins discover that geometric work was his strongest style.
How can I book a tattoo with Jymi Calkins?
Message him on Instagram at @jymicalkins, or use the booking link in his bio.
