Leaving a Mark

Devens gives Ohio University student Courtney Jones her first tattoo. It says “No Struggle, No Strength.”

By Michaela Fath | Photos by Andrew Johnson

Devens is no stranger to leaving his mark on others, though he does it with a bit of ink. With an interest in art his entire life, the local freelance tattoo artist traded his drawing pen for a tattoo machine two years ago and began to tattoo close friends to gain experience. Through tattooing, Devens has become friends with people across the U.S. and internationally who share a love of the art form.

“I learned by getting tattoos and making friends with people who have tattooed me,” he says. “I get tattoos when I travel, so I’ve made a lot of friends around the world who have helped me out.”

Devens has tattooed clients in cities all over the U.S. from Athens to Chicago and even California, growing his portfolio to nearly 700 individual tattoos over the past two years.