JJ OHLINGER

​

I have been making art as long as I can remember. I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska moved to Greenville, South Carolina as a teenager, and earned a degree in Scientific Illustration from the University of Georgia. After college I moved to San Francisco for several years, working as an illustrator for the Grateful Dead, After Jerry’s untimely demise, I transitioned to web design and development.

​

In the late 90s I moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where I owned a graphic design and web agency while also maintaining a painting studio on King Street, hosting art shows and also getting my work out to other galleries and museums. In 2006, I moved back to Greenville, South Carolina and devoted myself full time to painting and teaching art classes.

​

About 10 years ago I decided to try my hand at tattooing. I approach it as another medium for creating one-of-a-kind pieces of art. I wanted to see if I could translate illustration and painting techniques into tattoo form. My favorite thing about making tattoos is that every single one is a collaboration between me and the person who wears it. I love helping people to express themselves through tattoos and enjoy the challenge of bringing a fine art style to the process, creating art you can wear.

​

Which brings us here, to the next logical step. My wife and I decided it was time to open our own tattoo shop. Ready for a change from the hot and humid South, we set our sights on Salt Lake City, UT, and opened Prohibition Ink Custom Tattoo in October, 2016.

​