28 Sept 19th-Sept 25th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Old Ways, New Ideas Lost Dutchman Tattoo’s Uncle Josh brings inclusivity into tattooing. BY ANGELA ROSERED O ld-school tattoo traditions without the old-school mentality is not just a tagline, but a way of living for local artist and tattoo shop owner Joshua Gargalione, who goes by the name Uncle Josh. For almost 10 years, he has been the owner of Lost Dutchman Tattoo in central Phoenix. Family is the very thing that launched his journey into the world of tattooing. Gargalione started creating art at 8 years old, finding inspiration in his grandfather’s World War II tattoo. He doodled tattoos on anything and everything, including himself and any willing friends. Instead of heeding his grandfatherly warning to “never get a tattoo”, Uncle Josh followed his footsteps, joined the military, and started his own tattoo collection. As soon as he was honor- ably discharged from the Navy, he made it his mission to become a tattoo artist. “I hit up a few shops in San Diego, and back then, it was hard to get an apprentice- ship because they’re really selective about who they were going to teach, and right- fully so, you know,” he says. “It was like the golden age of tattooing. There weren’t quite as many people in the trade. I finally found somebody that taught me out here.” Over the years, Gargalione developed his craft, specializing in colorful traditional Americana and black-and-gray realistic tattoo styles. He finds inspiration in feel- ings and translates his environment onto canvas. As a staple in the punk rock community most of his llfe, music has also been a big influence with his artwork gracing numerous Arizona local album covers. Globally, his work was recently featured in Punk Tattoo’s Volume 4 magazine. With 20-plus years’ experience in the industry, he’s committed to honoring traditional tattooing customs while creating a positive and inclusive experi- ence for clients. When the opportunity came in 2015 to take ownership of one of the oldest tattoo shops in Phoenix, he eagerly took it. Gargalione rebranded to what is now known as Lost Dutchman Tattoo. Driven by his love of history, the name was inspired by one of Arizona’s most infamous gold mines and childhood memories. “I grew up around the Superstition Mountains and I’m part owner of of Goldfield Ghost Town. It’s my family’s business. I helped build a lot of the build- ings up there as a child,” he says. Artifacts from Goldfield Ghost Town are proudly displayed around the shop, alongside one-of-a-kind tattoo-inspired artwork created by Gargalione and his fellow artists. With vintage-style furniture and fixtures, classy feels are alive and well in the space, speaking to how he pays tribute to the tattooers who came before him. When asked about what his contribu- tions are to the tattoo community, he stands by keeping traditonal artwork alive, but leaving the outdated ideology by the wayside. “There’s a lot of good, I think, in a lot of the old-school thought of tattooing, but there was a lot of toxic stuff, too. I’m glad that toxic stuff is slowly fading away. There was a lot of artist and client abuse (but there’s) zero tolerance (for that) here,” Gargalione says. “We’re a safe space, all-inclusive and LGBTQIA+ friendly here. Some of that old-school mentality would not bode well for an environment like this. The (traditional) methods in how we draw, and how we approach our tattoos — that definitely lives on.” He says the most rewarding part of the job is the rapport between him and his clients. “I enjoy changing other people’s lives, and their self-esteem is boosted with the tattoos that I put on them. It makes me feel good knowing that I influence people in a positive way with these tattoos,” he says. Lost Dutchman Tattoo is located at 4121 N. 19th Ave. Call 602-230-1947 or visit lost- dutchmantattoo.com. Uncle Josh tattoos a client. (Photo by Angela RoseRed) A selection of Joshua Gargalione’s tattoo work. (Courtesy of Joshua Gargalione) ▼ Arts & Culture
