Joshua Williams is a model and tattoo artist. In an iNKPPL interview, he describes a collection shaped by both sides of that work: family lettering, traditional forms, fine-line pieces and black-and-grey portraits.
Photos show tattoos on his hands, wrist, ribs, knuckles, the back of his head and forearm: a chain, rose and cross; a heart held by a hand; two vintage figures; a crowned religious portrait; and a scorpion.
The visual language behind the collection
Williams describes his style as traditional tattooing mixed with realism and fine-line work. The contrast is visible in the open chain-and-rose design, the detailed head portrait and the lighter scorpion.
The collection began with family history
His first tattoo was his mother’s name. Williams recounts the choice with humor, and it remains the clearest family reference in the published account. No close photograph shows its placement or lettering.
Chain bracelet, rose and cross across the hand
A chain runs from Williams’s wrist across the back of his hand, with a rose and leaves hanging from it. The links and petals are drawn in fine lines with plenty of skin left open.
A cross sits near the fingers. The photograph also shows rings and painted nails beside the tattoo.
The suspended heart on the ribs
On his ribs, a hand appears to hold a heart suspended from a chain. The chain curves below the heart, and open space around the image keeps the scene distinct from the darker head portrait.
Vintage character tattoos on the knuckles
Two small characters are tattooed across Williams’s knuckles, one on each hand. Their hats, coats and poses give them the look of vintage illustrations.
The figures cross moving knuckles, but their strong outlines keep them recognizable in the photographs.
The crowned religious portrait at the back of the head
A large religious portrait with a crown of thorns covers the back of his head. Beneath the face, the Spanish words “Corazón de Tierra” appear in blackletter script.
From the front, only the edges show; viewed from behind, the face and lettering fill the space between his hairline and neck.
Williams says religious art is one of his favorite tattoo subjects. He doesn’t give a separate personal explanation for this portrait.
The scorpion on the forearm
A scorpion runs diagonally along his forearm. Its segmented tail curves upward, while the open pincers and thin legs are set out in clear black lines with light shading under the body.
Williams doesn’t state a personal meaning for the scorpion.
Sources of the older visual references
Williams says he draws on old adverts, posters and movies. That context fits the vintage knuckle figures and traditional motifs, though the interview doesn’t identify a specific character or film.
The career record carried on skin
Williams first entered a tattoo shop as an apprentice at 18, then was scouted for modeling. He spent more than a decade in that work and returned to tattooing during lockdown.