Founder/Tattooer
Josh Gonzalez
Founder Josh Gonzalez has been a professional tattooer for the last 24 years. Born and raised and having apprenticed in the late 90s right here in Fort Worth Texas, he has strong roots and strong love for Fort Worth. Josh is a second generation, classically trained artist having studied art at both the Art Institute of Dallas and the University of North Texas. As such, Josh is a well rounded artist and student of many artistic mediums and interest. In tattooing, he is well versed in most styles but most enjoys doing New School, Realism and Cover Up tattoos. Cover Up tattoos hold a special place for him. Josh very much likes the challenge of turning a previously shameful tattoo into a piece of art that a client can be proud to wear.
Tattooer
Nicole Rose
Coming from an 80s rock ‘n’ roll familial background in Phoenix AZ and a bloodline of creativity, there’s nothing she can’t or won’t take on artistically. In her late teenage years she found out that her art can both heal and inspire those in need so she made the decision to follow forward in her pursuit of art. She is well-versed in all forms of art and highly capable of executing even most challenging tattoo concepts. Her primary interest gravitate towards Realism and Neo Traditional work but her scope encompasses all aspects of the tattoo style spectrum. Nicole believes that tattoos are personal and intimate and for each one she gets there is a special symbolism and feeling that goes with it. This is what she wants for her clientele as well.
Tattooer
Gordi Redmon
From a small town in Texas surrounded by other tattooers where there was nothing to do but become creative, Gordi’s family tree has always been stained in ink. Introduced to the tattoo industry well before he was even driving, Gordi’s parents always encouraged him to make a life of this craft if he chose, for which he is incredibly grateful. Gordi considers it a great honor that throughout his long career of tattooing so many people have allowed him to help them become what they wish to see themselves as with his art. He makes a point of trying to get a feel for the energy and personality of his clients so he can design their art to be as much a part of them as it is a piece of himself. Gordi‘s feelings about tattoos are most aptly said with one of his favorite sayings, “ A little pain never hurt anyone but hiding your true self always will.”
Piercer
Heather Taylor
Heather started her apprenticeship here at Ink817 back in 2018 and has been piercing ever since. She believes piercings are a fun way to express yourself and loves seeing the smile on peoples' faces when they get a confidence boost in their appearance.
Piercer
Harmonee Holmes
Harmonee started getting piercings from a young age, her mom had several tattoos and piercings and they were just the coolest thing to her. Harmonee got her first helix piercing when she was 11 years old and it grew from there. Her passion for piercings started to blossom when she began her apprenticeship. Seeing someone’s face light up when the vision of how they want to look is finally made a reality is one of the reasons she fell in love with the industry. She has met so many different walks of life so far in her career. Every day is interesting because she never knows who’s going to end up in her chair and what their reasoning is behind the piercings they want. She remembers a client who just turned 18, who lived in a strict household where they weren’t free to express themselves freely and got a piercing to commemorate their freedom from that life. She takes pride in what she does and wants to create a safe, clean, and comforting environment for any and all guests.
Piercer
Shaun Kingman
Shaun was a veterinary technician for 8 years before becoming a piercing artist. With that experience he maintains a high level of precision, sterility, and that client education is an important part of the piercing experience. While working as a piercing artist, Shaun obtained a bachelors degree in animal science at TSU and is now pursuing veterinary school. Shaun’s love for people, their individual expression, and alternative style is satiated by piercing and he loves nothing more than seeing the smiling faces of the clients he serves.
