Comments on: Obituary for John Joyes

By: Jack Byrd

Jack Byrd — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:03:40 +0000

I have seven pieces done by John. From 2003-2010, I made it a yearly thing to go see John for a tattoo. As much as I loved his work, I equally looked forward to and enjoyed spending the day in his chair in conversation with him. When my son was old enough to want ink, I steered him to John and they became friends also as John worked on him. Every time I look at my tattoos, or see my chest piece staring back from the mirror, I am thankful and honored to have called John my friend and to have the memory of that friendship represented by his work on me. I haven’t been able to consider a tattoo since we lost John, he did my last work In May, 2010 and also did a piece on my son in July of that year. I called today and spoke to Jordan, I am riding over to John’s shop to see her Saturday to discuss a new piece I want. I miss John, I always will.

By: brian busch

brian busch — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 02:53:36 +0000

i met john in 85 after opening his shop , he did a hand crafted snake /eagle on my arm that still looks great he was a great man a a kind man that new how to run a business , and taught me how to watch out for wannabes well r.i.p. john always still braggin on you love your work and time we talked.ty

By: linnea

linnea — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:40:50 +0000

I’m john’s half sister. I wish I would have met him.

By: Jo Lynne Ausley

Jo Lynne Ausley — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:44:02 +0000

I just learned today that John passed away nearly a year ago. How very sad. He was a very kind and immensely talented man.

Ten years ago, a dear friend who had many beautiful dragons and a full sleeve done by John over the years told me about his art. His waiting list was months long and I wanted a tattoo very soon to honor my best friend who was dying of breast cancer. He said, “Call John. Tell him your story. Let him know I’ve sent you.”

John tattooed me 2 days later. It is a beautiful tribute to my best friend, she loved it so much. I am honored to have had the experience to meet him. His gift of kindness meant so much to Patty and me. I will cherish his memory always.

By: peter micheal joyes

peter micheal joyes — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 23:51:50 +0000

i am sad to hear of this because it is like hitting close to home my familly past is rooted in england ,and i met an artise 30 years ago with the name peter joyes in surry bc ,canada he made me a cartoon drawing of me fishing when i showed him my drivers lic. iwas amazing because he said he had met a peter joyes from england prior to our meeting,, i would be very honoured to corispond with you more ,just look me up on face book please ,and i am sad to see your loss ,,sincerely ,,peter m. joyes

By: Don Ault

Don Ault — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 20:58:19 +0000

I met John in October 1990 when by chance a freind needed a ride to get a tattoo and in return he would pay for a tat for me. John did my first tat (Ford Cobra) and last tat (grandaughter’s portrait) and the other 4 tats that I have. He was very kind and caring and we talked about our lives as her performed his magic with the gun. I went almost ten years without seeing him but when I called to make an appointment he simply said “what do you want now,a Stones Tongue or a Mustang” both of which he did that long ago. Everywhere I go I get comments om my tats and when I’m asked where I got them, I say from John Joyes…… the best tattoo artist in the area….
Sorry this post is so late as I just found out of his death. My condolences to Jordan and the rest of the family….. John will be greatly missed……
Don

By: Joe Glaze

Joe Glaze — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:45:16 +0000

I met John in the 80′s when he first opened State of the Art Tattoo. John was the first real tattoo “artist” that tattooed me. He did many large dragons, eagles, knights, jelly fish and hawks on my arms & chest. I will alway remember on sitting when he was tattooing a large eagle head on my chest and the area was becoming quite irritated, he asked “if you where riding you bike in the rain and trying to get home would you ride hard & fast or slow & steady?” He wanted to know what type of approach to take for the last 30 minutes of the tattoo. John was always a caring and thoughtful person. He came to Fairfax to share dinner w/ me before I moved to Colorado in 1995.
I am proud to have a pic of that eagle’s head in John’s online portfolio and even prouder to show off John’s work.

I wish peace and good memories to his family and friends.

Ride free

By: Ian Joyes

Ian Joyes — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:45:23 +0000

My Brother John Joyes was a larger than life kind of guy.

He was passionate about his “craft” (Tattooing)I say craft because he was an expert, Kind of like a Tradesman with his tools,with the skill of a sergeon with an eye for detail and creativity..John really loved his work.Close friends have told me that “JJ” did over 100,000 Tats in his career.I always RESPECTED the way John ran his shop, the way he treated his customers and the other Artists he had working with him. Totally Professionally. A far cry from the “Grampa Groovy”days of Tattooing in Winchester.
John was a great Dad, raising his Daughter Jordan and being there for her. He also taught her how to Tattoo. and Jordan is now working at State or The Art Tattooing.John loved to ride his HARLEYS both alone and with friends.He love Fast late 60′s and 70′s era cars. I think he still has one in his yard.
In some ways John was a very private man that needed his own space after Tattooing all day (understandably). He loved his House which he helped build with his ex wife Lisa in the early 80′s. John would collect Tats from elite Tattoo artists that he respected. I remember when John turned 18 he had a sleeve done I think by Lionel Tichner in the UK.
John loved his Mom Anne and was concerned for her health during the last few months.(She had suffered multiple stokes)
John loved the UK and traveled there to see family almost regularly.
John and I would talk on a regular basis over the phone( I live in Seattle)

I will always miss my Brother.

He had owned a few throughout his life.

By: Ray Houser

Ray Houser — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:58:05 +0000

i met john just a short couple of months ago threw a good friend of mine who was a good friend of John’s & and worked with John at one point for 10yrs. I was looking for a very special piece to be done on me, A portrait of my daughter.Well we ended up doing two,they turned out beautiful! He just finished them on 7/22/10 we had a lot of time to talk & got to know each other being only two yrs apart we grew up much the same.He made a forever lasting impression in my life.Truly a one of a kind. The same day when he fished my piece Jordan did a piece on me as well as my wife and daughters first tats,Jordan u have a talent,our hearts and thoughts go out to you.

By: Peter Joyes

Peter Joyes — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 22:58:33 +0000

When John was 15 years old, he came with me and his brother Ian to spend a week at Seabeck, near Bremerton in Washington State at summer camp. I introduced him to Nolan who was becoming famous for his innovative tattoo styles. On that very first visit John simply fell for the whole idea of tattooing. He loved the people, the lifestyle, the opportunity to make many friends, and from first moment he started drawing little tattoo pictures. He filled many notebooks with ideas of tattoos he imagined. It was from those beginnings that when he returned to the UK he sought out Lionel Tichner and threw himself into learning as much as he could about tattooing. He later blossomed into the talented artist we all knew and loved.
We’ll miss you John. From your Dad, Peter Joyes