Ross - Aether Tattoo Apprentice



Alright, here’s the deal. I got into art young. My dad taught me the essentials—spiders, hearts, maybe a bird or two. Real master-level stuff, right? While other kids were out doing “normal” kid stuff, I was in my room like a little cave troll, drawing anything I could. And you know what? I got pretty damn good at it. But instead of turning that talent into a career, I did the “smart” thing: tried to live a “respectable” life with “normal” jobs that everyone else thought I should do. Yeah, that was a disaster. Trying to be “normal” is basically an express lane to a soul-crushing reality check. It’s like the universe hands you a flyer that says, “Congrats! You played yourself.”

But through it all, art was the one thing that kept me grounded—or as close to grounded as I get. One day, during a particularly impressive life meltdown, I found myself wandering around downtown Raleigh, probably looking like a guy who’d lost his car, his wallet, and maybe his mind. I drifted past Aether Tattoo, and for some reason, decided to walk in. I basically threw my sketchbook at the first person I saw and ended up meeting Lance. I’m pretty sure he either saw some potential in me or just felt bad for me, because he offered me an apprenticeship on the spot. Naturally, because my life was still a complete dumpster fire, I had to pass. But a few months and some soul-searching later, I went back and asked for another shot. And that’s how I ended up tattooing for a living. Not the inspirational “rise to greatness” story, but hey, it worked.

When it comes to tattoo styles, I’m like a kid who got lost in the candy aisle. American traditional, black and grey, fine line, anime—I love it all. Why pick just one? My goal is to throw them together into something that’s unique, a little chaotic, and just weird enough to make people wonder if I’m okay. (Spoiler: I’m not, but it’s fine.)

Now, working with clients? That’s a whole experience. Doing custom designs is my thing because I get to make something one-of-a-kind (unless you want an infinity symbol, in which case, just brace yourself for my dead-eyed stare). Got a reference photo? Cool, bring it—unless it’s your ex’s name. Look, I’ll do it, but not without a “therapy might be cheaper” chat. And if you’re sitting in my chair hoping for some zen experience, you took a wrong turn. I’m here to make art, not hold your hand. If we’re not trading dark jokes and questioning reality a little, are we even tattooing?

When I’m not tattooing, I’m drawing or binge-watching anime. I tell people it’s “for inspiration,” but let’s be honest—it’s my version of therapy. Artists like KAWS taught me that even simple lines can hit hard, but life’s taught me that nothing is ever simple. Losing my dad was a brutal reminder that we’re all just passing through, so I figure I might as well do something that actually matters to me. My dad always said, “We’re all just temporarily not-dead, so make it count.” Yeah, a little dark, but the guy wasn’t wrong.

And here’s the plot twist: I’m way weirder than I look. If I can channel that weirdness into a tattoo, make people question a few of their choices, then I’m doing my job. Full disclosure: I’m terrible at writing bios. If I could tattoo this on my forehead, I would. So if you’re looking for a tattoo that’s a little twisted, maybe a bit dark, and definitely unforgettable, come find me. Let’s make something that’ll make you laugh, keep you up at night, and leave you wondering, “What the hell was I thinking?”

Price by the tattoo

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