We had the opportunity to chat with Seth Holmes, tattooer at Foundation Tattoo in Pittsburgh, PA. He’s a long-time Kingpin supporter and the newest member of the Kingpin pro-team family. Get to know him and his art with the interview below, and please don’t forget to follow him on Instagram @sethholmestattoo.
Q: Tell us about yourself? Brief history of how/where you grew up and what art/culture you saw that connected you to tattooing early on.
In 2009, I started as desk help at a local shop in my hometown just north of Pittsburgh, and worked my way up to be manager & piercer. I was actually always more of a musician than an “artist” growing up. I drew here and there, but got a guitar in my early teens and didn’t care to pick up a pencil for years. I’ve been enamored with tattoo culture and being heavily tattooed in general since I was very young. My parents are heavily tattooed and I’ve always loved the look of rappers, rock stars, and athletes. I didn’t necessarily know growing up that I’d be a tattooer, or even want to when I first started working in a shop. I had to take advantage of the opportunity after my band broke up in 2013. Since I was already working in a shop, I started drawing my ass off until I earned an apprenticeship. I’m in the minority of the industry because I fell in love with tattoo culture first and visual art second.
Q: How long have you been tattooing and did you receive a “traditional” apprenticeship?
I’ve been tattooing for 12 years, and working in a shop for 16. I did undergo an apprenticeship at Wyld Chyld Tattoo in Pittsburgh, but I wouldn’t say it was a “traditional” one. I would get help and pointers from the artists I worked with, but didn’t have a designated mentor. I learned from everyone in the shop. Most of what I know, I’ve learned over the years from traveling, guest spots, asking for portfolio critiques, and getting tattooed by some of my favorite tattooers. Within about 6 months from the time I started apprenticing, I was already taking walk-ins.
Q: In today’s YouTube DIY culture, are “traditional” apprenticeships still necessary? Can someone be an accomplished tattooer without an apprenticeship?
In today’s culture, I guess it isn’t “necessary” to get an apprenticeship. However, I still strongly recommend it. Look, at the end of the day, an apprenticeship can’t teach passion or work ethic, which is more important in my opinion. If you have those, you’ll go far in tattooing, with or without the apprenticeship.
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Q: What was the first tattoo you received and what was the first tattoo you gave to someone? How was your experience with both accounts?
The first tattoo I got was the Misfits’ crimson ghost logo on my shoulder. I ended up building off of that and got a sleeve on my right arm that is all artwork based on bands that inspired me to start a band in my late teens. The experience was great, too. My mom actually paid for it and took me to get it. Like I mentioned, my parents have decent coverage of tattoos so they were extremely supportive of my becoming a tattooer. As for the first tattoo I ever gave somebody, that’s a different story. I was working at a shop where someone was fired for stealing, and up to that point I had only been tattooing oranges, pig ears, and fake skin. Since the shop was now down an artist, one of the other guys pulled me aside and told me “sink or swim, bitch. You’re tattooing for real today.” I ended up doing a horrible traditional rose on him. I was so nervous about going too deep, that I was barely getting the linework in at all. Eventually I got the hang of it, and that’s a memory I’ll cherish forever. It took me about two years of tattooing 7 days a week until I felt confident in my tattooing. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been, but I was putting in long hours and not taking days off. I wanted to get as good as I possibly could as quickly as possible.
Q: How would you describe your style?
Look, here’s my thing about styles. I don’t have one, and I don’t particularly care about developing a niche. When I see young tattooers focusing on one style from the rip, and then wondering why they can’t stay busy… bro, you did that to yourself. My Instagram page looks like 4 or 5 different artists tattooing. Like I said, I fell in love with tattooing first and art second. Everything I know about art, I learned from the craft. I respect almost every style of tattooing for what it is, so I rarely turn down an idea based on what style the client wants. I’m a tattooer’s tattooer. I’ll take whatever walks through the door, or emails. Big or small, I’ll tattoo them all. I just love my craft.
Q: What’s the most challenging aspect of tattooing?
To me, the most challenging aspect of tattooing is trying to come up with new ways push what’s already been done a million times artistically. How many times have you seen the same skull and rose tattoo? But if the client wants a skull and rose, you gotta give them what they want. So trying to either develop new styles by mixing tattoo styles together, or drawing influences from art outside of tattooing is essential to carving your own path in this industry. Everything has already been done, so how do you find a way to make your tattoos look like YOU did them? That’s what is most challenging in my opinion.
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Q: How do you keep creativity and motivation flowing?
I’m extremely realistic about how motivation and creativity ebbs and flows. It will come, and it will leave just as quickly. Personally, I try not to focus on always being motivated to “create.” When the motivation or inspiration strikes me, I’ll take advantage and get my ideas out on my iPad, as rare as it can be. So I try to focus on the client for the day, instead of my own artistic bullshit. I care first and foremost about the client having the best experience they can when they walk through the door. As long as they leave with a tattoo they love, and a smile on their face, then I know I did the best job I could that day. That’s enough for me. I’m there for my client, they aren’t there for me.
Q: Can you walk us through your tattoo process from consultation to completion?
I try to have consultations with as many potential clientele as possible. My assistant will typically schedule a consultation in advance of the actual tattoo day. This is where I get to meet them for 15-30 minutes, see where they want tattooed, and jot some initial notes for their design on my iPad. I stopped using paper years ago. On the morning of their tattoo appointment, I go into the shop early to find reference, make a drawing and a stencil, and set up my station. That way when the client arrives, there’s less than 30 minutes of waiting before they’re in my chair and getting tattooed. They respect my time, and I respect theirs. I also don’t like taking long breaks, so I try to keep them to under 7 minutes per break. And at the end of the day I’ll grab some photos, make sure they have my preferred aftercare, and wrap them up with some tattoo armor before they leave. I don’t have any particular rules for my clients. Just show up on time, bring some snacks, and maybe some headphones if my singing bothers you while I’m working.
Q: How have you seen the tattoo industry change over the years? From products/tools to t.v./social media…
In the last 16 years of working in shops, I’ve seen dramatic changes in the industry. For starters, Instagram didn’t exist when I was working a desk, and just first came out when I started tattooing. Back then, I remember having to search through tattoo magazines to find great art. The internet back then wasn’t great for references (unless you wanted the George Clooney “From Dusk Til Dawn” tribal sleeve). The advent of social media changed the game. We went from maybe seeing an amazing tattoo every once in a while in a magazine, to seeing a constant barrage of incredible tattoos every 30 seconds while scrolling Instagram. Also, artists used to be very secretive about what supplies, inks, techniques, and machines they used. You had to pay for a seminar or an instructional DVD to find out what Nikko or Joshua Carlton were doing. Nowadays, tattooers just give that shit away for free on YouTube and Instagram. Tattooing is headed for dark days. Old heads have always complained about over-saturation, but now I’m seeing more tattooers quit in the last few years than in my entire career. This is a huge reason I focus so much on the client’s experience. If you’re able to provide something that the shop down the street can’t, you’ll continue to stay busy.
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Q: What’s a misconception that the public have about tattooers & tattooing?
The biggest misconception the public has about tattooers and tattooing in general is that we’re all unprofessional assholes who want to intimidate the public more than actually tattoo them. And to be fair, I can’t even blame them sometimes. I’ve been to plenty of shops, and met a lot of artists who constantly complain about their clients (or what their clients want tattooed), or don’t respect their clients. If you show up late, don’t have a drawing ready, and then put on headphones and ignore your client the whole time you tattoo them, you can’t really be that upset when they don’t return. With all that said, MOST tattooers I’ve met are amazing people who care deeply for their clients and are passionate about their craft.
Q: What’s the most rewarding tattoo you’ve completed to date?
It’s hard to choose a single tattoo that I feel is most rewarding in my career. If I had to choose just one… I did a black and grey realism/surrealism half sleeve years ago with a very intricate lace shadow that casts on a woman’s face, which morphs into a reaper underneath. That was the first tattoo I did that was two days back to back, and I’m extremely proud of that half sleeve.
Q: Any advice for the young, up-and-coming tattooers?
My advice for apprentices and young tattooers is always the same. Simply put, we do not only sell tattoos. We sell an experience. There’s too many good tattooers you’re having to compete against for the clients’ hard-earned money. Being a good artist is not enough anymore. If you aren’t willing to go above and beyond for your clients, they’ll take their money to an artist who will. Put the client first and your ego second, and you will be successful for years.
Q: Finally, can you please give us 3 tattooers that we should take notice of and what about their work is exciting?
Here’s 3 of my favorite tattooers who don’t get enough credit. I’ll start with Whitney Schiller (@tattooingbywhitney). She’s a dear friend that I’ve known for years and tattoos out of Florida. She does incredible black and grey realism and is lightning fast. Her work is so impressive. Secondly I’d say Joe Friedman (@needlebeetle). Joe is easily one of the best and most genuine human beings I’ve ever met, and his work is so solid and eye-catching. Dude rips! And third I’d like to shout out Jake Zucco (@jakezuccotattoos). I used to work with Jake when I lived in Massachusetts and he’s one the most talented black and grey artists out there. His tattoos always heal up great, and he’s an absolute joy to be around. Dude is funny as hell and very easy to work with.
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1. Image 1: @tattooingbywhitney, 10 August 2025 (Skull/Hand realism – Instagram, photo)
2. Image 2: @needlebeetle, 7 June 2024 (Taco Cat – Instagram, photo)
3. Image 3: @jakezuccotattoos, 21 January 2025 (Old Woman realism – Instagram, photo)
Learn more about Seth, here.