22 Years of Tattooing: A Nashville Artist Reflects on Craft, Community, and Staying Power

Tattoo artist Jason “Elvis” Martin creating a custom piece inside his private Nashville studio, known for high-integrity, one-on-one sessions.

In a culture that often celebrates what’s new, there’s something quietly powerful about staying the course. This summer, Jason “Elvis” Martin, founder of Elvis Tattoo Shop in Hendersonville, Tennessee, marks his 22nd year in tattooing—a milestone shaped more by purpose than by flash.

Known for his black and grey realism, military and Christian symbolism, and one-on-one studio experience, Martin is using the moment to look back on the path that brought him from California grit to Tennessee roots. He’s also using it to give something back: a $100 discount for new clients booking their first session between June 23 and August 23, 2025.

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From Army Grunt to San Diego Tattoo Shop Owner to Hendersonville Studio

Martin’s path into tattooing was anything but typical. A former Army infantryman and insurance agent, he made the leap into the art world by working night shifts at CVS to afford a full-time tattoo apprenticeship in San Diego.

“There was no plan B,” he says. “Just art, commitment, and faith.”

Twenty-two years later, Martin runs a private tattoo studio just outside Nashville, offering clients a slower, more intentional experience.

Finding a New Pace in Middle Tennessee

After building a career in Southern California and guesting at shops across the region—including time at Pride & Glory Tattoo in downtown Nashville—Martin eventually chose Hendersonville for its quieter rhythm.

“I wanted that slower, more grounded rhythm,” he says. “A place near the water, near my people.”

Today, his studio sits just minutes from the Cumberland River in the Streets of Indian Lake district—a neighborhood known for its local energy and community atmosphere.

Work That Lasts

Martin’s work is known for both technical precision and emotional depth. He specializes in:

  • Black and grey realism
  • Neo-traditional color work
  • Military and Christian tattoos
  • Custom memorial pieces

His favorite pieces are often the most personal—projects that honor military service, explore themes of faith, or help clients process memory and identity through body art.

“Patriotic, military, and Christian tattoos are my heartbeat,” he says. “There’s a legacy in ink that goes deeper than the skin.”

Clients are supported through each step of the process, from concept and consultation to healing and long-term care. Each tattoo is followed by a tailored aftercare kit, and all products used in the studio are organic, vegan, and cruelty-free.

A Studio Without the Noise

Unlike typical walk-in shops, Elvis Tattoo operates by appointment only. This format allows Martin to offer undivided attention during every session—no ringing phones, no revolving door of clients.

“Trends come and go,” he says. “But I’ve been around long enough to see what lasts. Let me help you help yourself—get something real.”

That approach has earned Martin recognition among the best tattoo artists in Nashville, especially for those seeking more than a visual trend.

22 Years and a Little Thank-You

As part of marking the 22-year milestone, Martin is offering $100 off all first-time sessions from June 23 through August 23, 2025. It’s not a flash sale—it’s a gesture. A way to make space for new connections while staying true to the values that have shaped his career: patience, presence, and purpose.

Booking information is available on the studio’s website: Elvis Tattoos—an up-and-coming tattoo shop in Nashville known for its commitment to artistic integrity and client-centered service.

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Ready to get inked? Book an appointment with me today.

My private studio is located northeast of Nashville, Tennessee inside Salon Boutique at The Streets of Indian Lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Here are a few more details you might be curious about.

I’m excited that you’re ready to move forward with your custom tattoo! We’re going to make something rad that’s true to you and your vision. 

The best way to move forward is to book straight onto my calendar. You can find options with details on how long to book on my scheduling page.

You can also schedule a consultation here.

You can also fill out this tattoo idea form if you’re the kind of person who likes to cover all the details. It’s like a little workbook (except more fun) made to guide you to get clear with me on what you’re after, with option to upload inspiration or photos of the area to be tattooed.

Or if you want to chat it out but don’t want to wait for one of my available consultation spots, give me a text or a call at (629) 299-0611.

Thanks for your interest! Talk to you soon.

I’m open Tuesday through Saturday. Here’s the breakdown:

Tuesday to Friday: 12 PM – 8 PM

Saturday: 11 AM – 7 PM

Sunday & Monday: Closed

If you’re looking for a specific time, feel free to reach out — I don’t accept walk-ins, I book by appointment to keep things personal and focused.

My tattoo scheduling  page includes options for different session lengths. Each has a description to help you choose the right amount of time for your appointment, as well as the full cost for that session.

Keep in mind that if you book a shorter session and another client is scheduled after you, we’ll need to wrap up on time.

Tattoos may take multiple sessions to complete. Especially complex or large tattoos. Choosing between longer session options often is a matter of how long you feel you can sit to make progress on a bigger piece. If you’re unsure how long to book, consider the complexity of your design and how long you feel comfortable sitting.

An 8-hour appointment is ideal for big pieces or if you’re traveling and want to make substantial progress in one sitting. Otherwise, choose 6 for big pieces. 

If you’re still unsure what to book, or you want to get an estimate for the final cost of the finished piece, schedule a consultation with me.

My hourly rate is $250, with a minimum of $150 for smaller tattoos. For longer sessions, I offer discounted rates at 4 hours ($950), 6 hours ($1,400) and 8 hours ($1,700). 

My rates reflect over 20 years of experience, a high rate of client satisfaction, and my use of top-quality, vegan and organic products. Plus, for 6+ hour tattoo sessions, you’ll be provided a meal of your choice from any delivery service. No matter what, I dedicate my full attention to each client, ensuring a VIP experience with every tattoo.

By the way, I offer Buy-Now-Pay-Later options through Klarna, Afterpay, or Affirm so you can spread out the cost if you would like to.

Have questions to talk out with me or just want to put our heads together around your creative vision? Schedule a consultation with me! I look forward to talking about your idea.

Absolutely! If you’d like to discuss your idea, get an estimate for time and cost, or figure out the best session length, I strongly encourage you to schedule a consultation.

Just start the process of sharing your tattoo idea, then you’ll get access to my calendar to schedule time to speak, either on the phone call or at my studio.

Or if you’re ready after you’ve shared your idea and are viewing the available session options, you can book your tattoo session online now. Let’s create a rad piece of art you’ll be proud to wear for life!

While the ideal way to proceed with a consultation is by first filling out the form linked above, you can also skip that step if you prefer and schedule a consultation now here.

I include high-quality aftercare packs for all clients. They have everything you need to heal your new tattoo. You won’t find a lot of people who give all this. You’ll have aftercare instruction sheets, medical-grade bandages, and an ointment pack. The bandages are key. They save your clothes, save your sheets, you don’t have to worry about your dog or cat licking your healing tattoo… All the headaches that come with traditional aftercare products are not a factor. And it’ll heal amazingly!

Your tattoo will be bandaged twice, starting at the shop. I give you a verbal rundown on care and assure you not to hesitate to reach out with any and all concerns. And, you can come by if you want to get the first bandage changed out. Some clients prefer this if it’s in a hard-to-reach spot or they simply aren’t comfortable with the application.

I break the full process down on the home page, but in short: share your idea using the form on my site and I’ll follow up within two business days to discuss next steps.

From there, you’ll get reminders in advance of your appointment and you’ll leave with an aftercare kit and a tattoo that fills you with pride! 

Have other questions? Fill out the form on this page to get the conversation going. 

The products and supplies I use are cruelty-free and vegan, when at all possible. All my inks are organic and cruelty-free. My tattoo needles are a high-end and more costly brand. They work flawlessly and make it easier to create a perfect tattoo. Aftercare is very important to me. The care packs I provide are costly to make but well worth it. They give clients everything needed for a great outcome and experience from the end of the session to a healed tattoo.

It’s pretty subjective. Depends on who gets it and where. My suggestion: don’t worry, if it hurt that bad, I would not have all these tattoos! I’m a bit of a softie, myself. And, clients tell me I have a light hand. I’m very mindful of clients’ pain. And keep an eye on their expression and breathing to make sure they’re doing well.

Plus, I provide numbing spray to ease the discomfort.

Think of it this way: it’s not going to hurt once it’s done! It will be worth the pain when you have that awesome tattoo you’ve been wanting.

An artist from my shop, Darren, and I co-starred in the Military edition of the Marked TV series. In it, we learn about and tattoo the stories of veterans and active duty military, competing with each other in each episode to see whose tattoo design gets picked by the service member for putting on their skin for life. You can learn about the show in this YouTube video.

Right now, I focus exclusively on tattoo work — no piercing services are offered at this time.

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