Being an artist community, Wimberley has allowed a variety of artists of many different styles and practices to work on their craft to become successful.
The only difference in this situation is that instead of canvas, Jinx Lyon uses people.
Owner of Inkfreak Inc. Custom Tattoos, Lyon’s business is one of the newest in the Wimberley Valley.
Moving from Minnesota, Lyon originally had her business in Canyon Lake before moving to Wimberley during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was originally from St. Paul Minnesota,” Lyon said. “About six years ago, we left Wisconsin to come down here to Texas. I originally opened Inkfreak in Canyon Lake then Covid hit. I had to shut down my shop there since it was a 1,200 ft shop, which is a lot bigger than my shop now. I moved the shop in July where I’ve been ever since. It is where I’m trying to make it work.”
For Lyon, Wimberley was always the place to be as it reminded her of the town she started tattooing in.
“We came to Canyon Lake first when we came to Texas,” Lyon said. “I thought it was a good place to open a studio. Shortly after that, we came here to Wimberley and toured for a little bit, and I was disappointed that I didn’t see Wimberley first. It’s such a cool, cute little town and reminds me of Stillwater, Minnesota where I first started tattooing and spent a lot of time growing up.”
As for moving to Texas from the Minnesota and Wisconsin area, it was a simple reason.
“I don’t like the cold,” Lyon said. “It was 2013, and it was below 0-degrees for over a month and below freezing for about two months. The wind chills and stuff, I just can’t deal with anymore.’’
Lyon was always involved with tattoos but it wasn’t till her then boyfriend found her a job in his tattoo shop that Lyon got into the business of tattooing.
“I had met and dated a tattoo artist,” Lyon said. “We had a son together who is also a tattoo artist along with his two older brothers, so it’s a family affair… I had another job at the time that he (boyfriend) wasn’t too thrilled with so he wanted me in the shop and asked me if I wanted to learn. I basically fell into tattooing. I’ve always been into art, so before I met him I had around five or six tattoos, which back then wasn’t even that common.”
As a tattoo artist, one of the biggest things to know isn’t just applying the art but also knowing about health and safety.
“You have to know your bloodborne pathogens, so you don’t make anyone sick,” Lyon said. “You learn how not to transmit MRSA or Hepatitis, the AIDS virus is less of a concern because the molecules are a lot bigger than Hepatitis, which is a lot easier to catch.”
As for applying the tattoo to her customers, Lyon uses a variety of ways to help the customer bring their design to life while also giving out tips on what to do before coming into her shop to have the tattoo applied.
“You print out a design,” Lyon said. “Sometimes the client will bring in their own design. Sometimes I’ll design something for them. Sometimes I will even draw on them depending on what they want it to be. I’ll go over a shoulder or go over a certain space. It is sometimes a lot easier than to just draw it in the space you have and make it flow better. The best thing is to tell my clients that they should eat first, have a good meal, be clean, don’t stink and try to be still.”
As of now, Inkfreak is trying to grow their business at their new shop, which is hidden in the Cornerstone Business Park office complex that also houses the Wimberley View. She hopes that the quality of work will help spread the word.
“Right now, I’m kind of a secret,” Lyon said. “I haven’t had much signage up front. Since I’m in the back, people have a hard time finding the place and don’t really come to this little section since this is more of the business offices. Now I tell people to park in front of the courtyard, walk in and turn to the right. I would like to get the word out and have some signage up front but even then I’m allowed a small sign… Basically, (growing a tattooing business) has been through word of mouth more than any kind of advertising. People might see you’re there, but they don’t necessarily want to come to you unless they see somebody else that had work from you.”
But the process hasn’t been the easiest especially when moving to a new state.
“When I was up in Minnesota and Wisconsin,” Lyon said. “I was booked out for two or three months at a time, which is really nice plus I had twenty years of clients up there. So now nobody knows me here, and it’s like starting over, which has been kind of hard.”
Inkfreak is currently open to the public, but it is an appointment only scheduled by contacting Jinx Lyon at (830)837- 8208. Lyon also stated she does not do piercings at her shop, only tattoos. See more of her work online at .inkfreakinc.com.
“Sometimes the client will bring in their own design. Sometimes I’ll design something for them. Sometimes I will even draw on them depending on what they want it to be.”
Jinx Lyon Inkfreak Inc.
Lyon’s customer was hoping to cover up an old tattoo with a new piece of artwork and finished piece is stunning. PHOTOS BY COLTON MCWILLIAMS/WIMBERLEY VIEW
