Tucked away off Airline Highway, Art Addiction Tattoo Studio houses Jo Hines and Jared McGee, two young artists whose passion shines through the doors. 
“I love to tattoo. That is my passion. Period,” McGee said while doodling roses in a sketchbook. “I mean … people wear clothes and everything. Take ‘em off, throw ‘em away. [But] when I tattoo someone, that is me leaving my mark on you. When I’m gone, I left my mark on a lot of people. They have a piece of me.”
With people from all different walks of life seated at his chair, McGee said all his clients have a lasting effect on him. He said everyone always has a story, and he gets to hear them all through the “magical power” of the chair.
Tattooed on his forearm is a detailed portrait of his late mother, a woman
McGee calls his “reason for everything, [his] inspiration, [his] dedication.” 
McGee said he strives for artistic, mental and personal growth daily, though he acknowledges that, for him, knowledge is the most important gift. 
“I’m always trying to grow. I’m never trying to be the same person I was yesterday. That’s with tattoos and life,” he said. 
In his tattoo parlor, McGee said he aims to establish a strong sense of community, a word he feels is lacking in the Baton Rouge art community, which he describes as a “crabs in a bucket” mentality. Baton Rouge needs to work together and invest time in each other, he said.
Located in the workspace adjacent to McGee is Jo Hines, a full time professional artist specializing in tattoos, painting, and illustrations. McGee smiles at the mention of Hines’ name.
“You can’t have one without the other,” McGee said.
Working in the same tattoo studio, Hines and McGee became fast friends, eventually growing close enough to consider each other family.
Though he only recently started tattooing, Hines has already amassed a large
following. 
A proud Baton Rouge native, Hines was shocked by the tragic news of Alton Sterling’s death.
“My grandfather, father, and uncle all have offices in the building across the street,” Hines said. “I grew up in that area. I went to that store all the time and this happened to someone I knew personally, and I had to express myself.” 
To memorialize Sterling and pay respects to the family, Hines painted a mural along the wall of the gas station where Sterling was killed. The mural gained national recognition.  
Following the recent flooding in Baton Rouge, Hines has played an active role in lending a helping hand wherever he can. He considers himself a humanitarian, saying “[his] life and [his] art are the same thing.”
Though he cannot say for certain what his plans for the future are, he said his upcoming solo art show, “Under the Hammer,” will premiere in late September.
As a freshman tattoo artist, Hines said he still has a lot to learn.
“I know that I’m not perfect. I accept that. I don’t try to hide that or mask anything. I live my life as best as I can, and I expect everyone to do the same. I love everybody and I believe love is powerful. It’s the most powerful thing in the world, and I try to give as much as I can before I go,” Hines said.

Gallery • 13 Photos

Emily Brauner

Local Baton Rouge tattoo artist Joseph Hines showcases some original designs at Art Addiction Tattoo Studio.