Meet Sam Jones

By Tavi Lorelle Carpenter

Sam Jones, born and raised in Hoopa, started in his artistry three years ago when he decided to design his own tattoo. There was something in that original design that kept him going, leading him down the path of becoming a tattoo artist creating more and more elaborate wearable art pieces. 

“I was making my own design and I really liked it and kept going with it. Pretty soon I had a bunch of designs and I figured, well, I might as well learn how to tattoo them. So, I just bought a [tattoo] gun off of Amazon and just started going for it.” 

Sam’s designs are also unique in that they take from his heritage. Being of Hoopa, Yurok, Karuk, Chilua Redwood Creek and Abenaki (on his great-great-great Grandfather’s side) descent, Sam takes traditional designs and remakes them to create a new genre of tattoo art.

“I feel like I’m making new tribal art. Our designs aren’t really represented that much [in the tattoo world] but I feel like I’m creating a new genre.”

While his designs were flowing out of him with ease, there was definitely a learning curve when it came to the tattoo application. But those surrounding Sam immediately recognized his talent and wanted to showcase his artistry. 

“I never really touched practice skin, people have been wanting me to tattoo them, so I’ve had lots of work to do! I’ve had lots of practice and it’s just been getting better and better.”

Art has long been understood to be exceptionally healing as it allows for human expression and a means of calming the spirit into the present. Sam shared with me that while his life has been far from easy, his art has given him space to be fully present in the moment. 

“When I’m doing my art, my tattoos, it brings me into the present. I’m not focused on the past, I’m not worried about the future. I could just be right there in the moment. It’s blissful, sometimes [in life] it’s hard to stay in the present because I’m always thinking about stuff from the past. My art comes from a lot of pain, I mean growing up on the rez is pretty hard sometimes”. 

Sam’s innate skill for tattooing and talent in artistry has helped to build his spirit in a good way. Something he proudly shares with those who wear his work.

“I just love it, I feel blessed, and I feel like the Creator has really blessed my life and gave me something that I could feel good about, something good for my self-esteem. It’s good for the people I’m tattooing because I feel like I’m putting spiritual armor on them. It just helps them identify and helps me identify as Native. If it wasn’t for my art and my work, I don’t know what I’d be doing right now. It’s giving me a positive outlet.” 

Another aspect of Sam’s work is the way it allows him to connect with his ancestors and his indigeneity. 

“Our family has a lot of, like, heavy medicine, we were medicine men, some of the strongest warriors. It helps me look back on that and, I feel like I am making them proud, I feel like they’re walking with me. Yeah, my sister too, sometimes I can feel her in the morning before the sun comes up and it’s almost like an overwhelming feeling. Oh, man. It’s hard to put into words. It just fills my heart with pride. A sense of being who we are.” 

Sam’s words remind me of just how important that connection to indigeneity is, particularly for California Indian people. This kind of connection is difficult to determine as it is not based in any so-called identifiers and it challenges any questions of inauthenticity. This kind of connection to indigeneity is having pride as Native people, to be exactly as we are, full of California Indian pride. 

In Sam’s words, he explains: 

“I’ve been born and raised on the reservation, so I don’t really need to do anything to identify [as Native], I just already am. But I feel like it’s a way for me to connect with other people and help them identify. And it’s really tribal, you know? I know most of the people that I’m tattooing and some people get a hold of me through Instagram and I meet them and it’s instantly like your family. Like, I got to work for Brian Tripp (Karuk artist and elder), I did a lot of art for him. I met him and it was instantly family. I found out that his mom and my grandma were actually best friends in boarding school. I got to be with him when he passed and he made me promise him that I’d never stop doing my art. I promised him, I told him I’m in it to win it, I’m never going to stop.” 

Sam had darkness in his past, something that he felt as though he’d been running from for most of his life. But the beauty in Sam’s story is the way in which his art has acted as a means of bringing him out of that dark space. 

“I was going down the wrong path. And that’s why I say that my art has been a blessing from the Creator because it came to me at one of the lowest points in my life. I didn’t really look forward to [anything, there was] nothing to bring me good feelings. [My artistry] saved me on so many levels, spiritually, mentally. Been nothing but good things. It’s brought good people into my life that are positive.” 

In terms of advice Sam has for other artists? Follow your heart.

“I would say, just follow your heart. And your gut, you know? Your gut is never wrong and if you’re going to go for it, go for it 110%. Just dive into it and go for it!” 

When it comes to support, Sam said the best way the community can support him is by sending him good feelings and love. 

But if you are interested in getting an original tattoo from Sam, you can always hit him up on Instagram or Facebook!