Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Freeman.
Hi Alex, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I have been tattooing since 2007. I have had an interest in tattooing from a young age. I had an older cousin named Jason Ervin, who was heavily tattooed. He had told me glorified stories of Deep Ellum in the nineties and getting tattooed by names like Richard Stell, Oliver Peck, and Adrian Evans. Those stories piqued my interest, and I fell into the culture fast and heavy. I got my first tattoo on my 18th birthday. I walked into Ace in the Hole in Deep Ellum at 11:30 pm on July 22nd, 2006, talked to the counter guy, set everything up, and waited until midnight, July 23rd, when I turned 18. Little did I know I was sitting one station away from the man that would teach me, most of what I know about tattooing, more importantly, what it means to be a tattooer. A year later I reunited with Josh Robinson and began my apprenticeship, it was rough, and I hated it at times but looking back now I can’t express enough how much I value the lessons that were passed on to me. I tattooed in North Dallas for a year, then moved to East Dallas and worked at Queen City Tattoo from 2008-2014. Then I moved to San Diego and worked at The World-Famous Lucky’s Tattoo Parlour at 1000 Broadway. in 2016 MY family moved back to Texas for our second child. I reunited with Josh to work in North Oak Cliff to work at Davis Street Tattoo with Mark Thompson and Dominik Cichowski. After 5 years at Davis Street the commute from Waxahachie really started to take a toll on me. I was driving home one day and saw a for rent sign on a building I had always thought would make a great tattoo shop. I called the number and all the pieces fell into place and on March 4th, 2021 I opened Southbound Tattoo in Waxahachie, TX. I enjoy being in a smaller town. I like being a part of the community. I am a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge Waxahachie #80 and Waxahachie Encampment #47. These groups help connect me and serve the community I am so happy to be involved in.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve had my ups and downs but I wouldn’t change anything. I’ve kept my head down and continued working. Determination is the key to success on this journey called life.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in large-scale tattooing. Arm Sleeves, Leg sleeves, and full Back Pieces. My focus is on Japanese style tattooing, When I first started tattooing, I learned American Traditional which focuses on strong line work and heavy shading that will stand the test of time, I like to pull from that when designing large tattoos. I want your tattooing to be recognizable from across the street as they say. I am drawn to the mysticism of the Japanese style. The stories, the taboo, the design, the meaning, the scale of the tattooing, I love it. I consider all my tattoos Strong, Bold, Bright, and Solid.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
As most, I am active on Instagram (@alexfreeman.tattooer), I like seeing others work and I do draw inspiration from that. There are a few podcasts I sometimes listen to. Books Closed is one that I really enjoy. It focuses on the shift from and analog to digital world and how it affected tattooing. I like to hear the different views from tattooers in different points in their careers.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.southboundtattoo.com
- Instagram: alexfreeman.tattooer
- Facebook: facebook.com/southboundtattoo
- Other: www.aftattooer.com
Image Credits
Alex Freeman
