Dylan Lightbourn

I was born on Shishalh Territory in the land between two waters, in so called British Columbia Canada. I grew up in Egmont (an Egmonster) picking berries and chanterelles, winning fishing derbies and foot races, and chopping wood and carrying water. Drawing was always my world. When I started school, it helped me when I had to sit still. I got in trouble for doing it in class but look where it got me! Being from a working class family, I wasn’t confident that I could support myself making art, but this idea had my heart. I pursued “practical” goals and put myself through soul-sucking University. This experience taught discipline and self efficacy and by the end, I still wanted to be a tattoo artist, a dream that I quietly held onto from grade 10, that never faded. I painted flash for a few years starting in university, and it saved my soul. Getting tattooed and painting flash I felt like myself. I felt like I finally belonged. I was warned and encouraged in the direction of a tattooing career. Heath Smith of Right Hand Tattoo gave me painting tips and told me hard truths about tattooing, and encouraged me, as much as he also tried to discourage me. I got tattooed often by his apprentice at the time, then Tyler the apprentice, now Tyler the tattooer. Eventually Heath told me to go talk to Andrew at Urge 2 in Edmonton, a shop that had been open since 1999. He knew I wanted to learn about coil tattoo machines and needle and tube making as well as the design and technical process of tattoos and Johnny and Andrew would be good mentors for me in that process. Soon I was setting up camp to paint at Urge’s front desk every Saturday, answering the phone, taking out garbages, and cleaning the floors, until Johnny offered me an apprenticeship. I’ll never forget the first time I saw him walk into the shop in a Sea Shepherd hoodie which amazed me because for years I coveted a Sea Shepherd shirt that no one thought was as cool as I did. I wouldn’t have the job of my dreams if it weren’t for Johnny, Andrew, Heath, Tyler, Squires, Lobo, and Chris. Thankful every day to get to tattoo. The people make it for me: the clients, my coworkers and peers. You are my world.