Since starting tattooing over a decade ago, Mystik has been on an incredible journey.

His intense work ethic has made him a well-known name in the tattooing world, particularly in lettering, but that recognition didn't happen overnight. He has dedicated years to perfecting his craft.

He began drawing portraits in high school but was drawn to letters, which were always scribbled all over his school books.

"My whole identity at school was wanting to have the best cover page," he recalled.

At 15, while immersing himself in hip-hop culture, he discovered an article in Source Magazine that featured graffiti legend TDK. This sparked a realization: the art form he admired was something he wanted to and could pursue.

"Where I'm from, graffiti is nothing," he explained, referring to his small coastal community outside of Brisbane.

"Guys from around here hadn't really even heard of hip-hop when I first got involved."

Once he saw graffiti, he was captivated.

"I wanted to make letters look cool. I've been doing graffiti ever since, which ultimately led me to tattooing."

Initially unaware of the illegal aspects of graffiti, he and a friend made a trek to the hardware store to buy supplies for their first canvas. This involved a five-kilometre journey and carrying a three-metre board so that they could start to learn the craft.

"I didn't know about illegal graffiti. I didn't know about the whole subculture. I just knew I wanted to paint letters like I saw in The Source Magazine."

While working in construction, he started tagging his name on job sites, which caught the attention of an experienced graffiti writer. This person took him on his first illegal tagging adventure, revealing the true nature of the scene.

"That is when I found out what graffiti really is."

As he dove deeper into the culture, Mystik became absorbed. Then, on his way to paint a wall one day, he met a man who would eventually become his tattoo mentor—the brother of the first tattoo shop owner in Brisbane.

The man wanted him to apprentice at the shop, a proposal he was initially dismissive of. Mystik had other personal matters on his mind.

"I was like, 'fuck that.' I had some shit going on in my life between a break-up and potentially moving overseas to Canada and America; I thought thanks but no thanks."

At the time, tattoo culture in Australia was still underground, much like graffiti. Skeptical about diving into another scene filled with perceived negativity, he reconsidered after a conversation with friends.

He realized that tattooing could provide a path to travel the world doing what he loved.

Mystik called the guy back, agreeing to stay for a month before planning to leave the country.

"It only took one day for me to be hooked on tattooing," he said, recalling his excitement.

"To me, it felt like when I first started doing graffiti," he said. "It was the drawing, that feeling, the sound of the tattoo machines buzzing. Different people walking in. There was something about it I was drawn to. That was my step-in."

He started doing everything typical of a street shop setting and recalls doing back pieces within his first three weeks.

"I was there to make them money. I wasn't there to learn. You do whatever comes through the door."

However, an encounter with a client looking for a Bring Me the Horizon tattoo allowed him to explore his passion for lettering. The client was open to him drawing directly on their skin.

"Drawing on that first canvas felt like painting on a train or trackside barrier," he noted.

He realized the importance of composition and began pushing himself to style the letters in unique ways.

"My biggest problem was I pushed myself too fast, too early," he admitted.

Mystik's entry into tattooing mirrored his approach to graffiti. He aimed to learn the fundamentals while focusing on his goals.

When he started sharing his lettering tattoos, he quickly attracted a wave of clients, as few people in Australia specialized in that art form.

With this influx of work, he sought to outdo himself with each client, emphasizing the importance of creative composition.

"I think that is what set me aside from other lettering artists early on. I wanted to do stuff on weird angles, maybe take on a whole body part."

As he gained recognition from industry legends, Mystik felt reassured that he was on the right track. This motivated him to refine his skills further and keep pushing boundaries and exploring.

Like graffiti, he said, if you want to get to your roots, you'll have to make it to New York, where it all started. He felt the same about lettering, which set his sights on Los Angeles. He saved up as much money as he could and applied to as many studios as possible, but he ultimately faced walls of rejection.

Eventually, a connection to Orks, who worked with Chente Rios at Under The Gun, got him in.

"I was like, 'holy fuck. Chente Rios, one of the world's most influential black and grey Chicano artists, said I could come and work in his shop.' With Orks, who to me, is still the greatest lettering dude of all time."

Once he was in, it was time to soak up as much knowledge and technique as possible.

"It wasn't just about lettering. It was about the whole roots of where black and grey and lettering have come from," he said. "I wanted to learn everything and anything that I could. It all stemmed from there."

Reflecting on his path from graffiti artist to tattooer, Mystik's story is a testament to his dedication and passion, which have shaped his career. His commitment to both art forms has defined his identity and opened doors to new opportunities and creative expressions.

He is a man who is never satisfied. Even with all Mystik has accomplished, more must be done.

"It's not good enough. I need to evolve again," he said. "I want to try and change the look or appearance of lettering tattoos and have people say 'he's trying something different again.'"

When you see a Mystik tattoo, especially if you are familiar with the style, it doesn't take long to realize that it's one of his designs. Using 3D elements, cracks in text, and laying massive pieces on unconventional body parts are all things he's done to let you know whose tattoo you're looking at. A feat that isn't easy to do in tattooing, Mystik has completely carved his lane, all while paying homage to the legends that came before him.

Again, it all stems back to his first creative passion.

"It all comes from graffiti. You'd go into an abandoned building, and instead of painting it on straight, you'd paint a corner or maybe something a bit more abstract. It was always about how to fit my letters in that particular geometry to make the composition work."

Throughout his tattooing career, it's been his mission to ensure he doesn't blend in with other tattooers. His obsession with this has led to him having a style entirely his own.

"I've gotten to a point where I stopped following a lot of people because I don't want to be influenced."

Speaking with Mystik about tattoos is intense. Outsiders may often still perceive tattooing as careless or carefree, with almost a hatred for structure, but when you talk to him, he's vehement about his approach to the work.

"I don't drink, I don't smoke, and I've never taken drugs. My last drink was 20 years ago, on my 18th birthday. If I was going to a convention, I met with the client the day before to draw on them so we could set up and tattoo the next morning. If I finished early, I could do more tattoos. After that, while everyone else is out partying, I'm taking another client back to try and get another tattoo done."

Mystik has been this way for years, and it doesn't seem that will change anytime soon, at least in how he works. It's an inspiring trait of an artist.

Looking back, he had little time for anything other than tattooing. Today, he's a family man who has adjusted his priorities. He'll tell you his primary source of inspiration is trying to be a better father, and the rest comes with it.

"You have to really work hard at your craft, no matter what it is," he said. "I'm so grateful that I've found a job that allows me to travel the world and not think of it as a job. I want my kids to be able to do that as well."

While it's easy to say he'd change this or wish he could have done that, Mystik realizes the sacrifices it takes to succeed. This makes it difficult for him when asked what he would tell a younger artist or even a younger version of himself if he could.

"I went so hard and was so dedicated to my craft, I was away for about 15 to 16 months out of the first two years of my son's life. And when I was home, I was still working six to seven days a week. I was addicted to it."

It led to a dark time in his life. He and his partner split up, and he had to reassess his priorities. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic happened.

"I wasn't able to travel or do anything," he said. "I had to refocus my energy on what was important in my life. When all that happened, all I wanted was my son."

After examining what he has been through and gaining the knowledge he has over the years, he'll tell you that sacrificing your body, health, or family should all be non-negotiable.

"But it is a constant battle in my head. I know now that if I go down that path and follow that addiction to work, I'm going to lose my family. It's all about balance." he said. "I'm just grateful now. I have put all those years in and can put my family first."

To keep up with everything Mystik has going on, make sure to follow him on Instagram.