Shavon is unlike any other tattoo artist. Growing up on a farm in rural Pennsylvania she’s always had a passion for art. In her twenties she moved to Japan with only one hundred dollars in her pocket to discover herself. There she modeled, got tattooed by many famous monks, and found her passion for tattooing. She got a reading done while in Asia, and one of the monks told her that her color is purple, and her flower is lotus. She opened up her first tattoo shop right there in Japan in 1990. Shavon moved back to Columbia to be closer to her family and was instrumental in bringing about the legislation that legalized tattooing in the state. She was the first woman tattoo artist to be licensed in South Carolina. Here she opened Shavon’s Purple Lotus Tattoo.
Upon arrival to Shavon’s Purple Tattoo guests are expected to take off their shoes, and are greeted by the sounds of birds chirping, fire burning in the fireplace, and Shavon’s best friend and assistant, Erika. The place is decorated with all kinds of collectibles from her travels, such as chinese umbrellas, indian pots and all kinds of sculptures. One type of sculpture that you see a lot throughout Shavon’s Purple Lotus tattoo is a purple lotus itself. Shavon takes her customers seriously. She takes time to get to know them, find out what they want, and customize their tattoo art however the customers desire. The cozy atmosphere makes everyone feel relaxed, feeling like at home. Being at Shavon’s place feels like you’re drinking tea with an old friend. Before they leave every customer receives a long and sincere hug from Shavon.
After closing down the place, Shavon happily leaves to go home to her also tattoo artist husband and a yorkie puppy at home. She says she feels really content with her life, even though there’s some things she’s not proud of, she is really proud of the journey her life has taken her.
Shavon says, “Tattooing is the most spiritual art in the world. It is the only thing you can take with you in the “afterlife”. Every tattoo is like a photo album. They mark what you are doing an where you have been. It is beautiful magic that lasts forever.”
