It all started in a kitchen

“A lot of us start with scribbles like everyone else,” said Clay Castles.

He is no exception to that.

While working in the welding industry years ago, Clay took to air-brushing helmets, bikes and cars as a side hustle.

His co-workers bought him a tattoo machine to use after noticing his artistic talent and started asking him for tattoos.

“So I tattooed them in my mom’s kitchen,” Clay said with a laugh.

Now, at 33, Clay is the owner of Don’t Look Down Tattoo, a top-rated tattoo shop in downtown Kelowna and a highly-respected tattoo artist.

In fact, his studio has been rated Kelowna’s number one tattoo shop for four consecutive years by the public in the Best of Kelowna series.

Clay’s work embodies the Neo-Traditional/Illustrative style of tattooing which allows for him to create a piece of art that has emotion, expression and technicality.

You’ll often see distinct linework, immense detail, vibrant colors and a broad range of motifs, as pictured.

“In our line of style, strong and bold always holds, so the tattoos can stand up to the test of time,” he said.

While tattoo artists need a passion for creating art and the skills to back it up, success is elusive if you’re lacking a certain ability.

That’s people skills.

“It’s 50% of the job,” Clay said.

“You really need to be able to read people to know how to properly deal with clients. Then, to go in a direction where they’ll be open to your critique of their idea,” he continued.

It’s when Clay really understands the client that he can achieve the best results and develop the initial idea into something even better.

“You get them stoked about it and pumped up and they come out with a tattoo everyone’s happy with,” he said.

The other 50% of the job is researching reference photos, tattoo styles, skin and more, plus sketching pieces and tattooing them of course.

“The reason tattoo artists are good at what they do is because they’re glued to their phones and constantly studying art,” Clay explained.

As the owner and tattoo artist of Don’t Look Down Tattoo, Clay has had his share of challenges trying to juggle his roles.

“There have definitely been moments where I’ve wanted to tear my hair out and throw in the towel, but I wouldn’t change anything,” Clay said.

He loves tattooing, but also enjoys being a leader and sharing his expert knowledge with apprentices, helping them grow and achieve their goals.

“It’s super special to grow new artists, I really love teaching people,” Clay summed up.

You can find Clay in the studio tattooing and teaching apprentices at 1484 St. Paul Street.