Editor’s note: A previous version of this story stated Lemegan Shelton was a co-founder of Clean Line Tattoos, which was an incorrect identification, as John Nichols was the sole founder. The Talisman regrets this error.
Situated in the middle of Bowling Green’s 31W Bypass is Clean Line Tattoos. Owner John Nichols said the shop is the only one in Kentucky where artists are in recovery from drugs and/or alcohol and are required to be clean while working on the premises.
Owner John Nichols said he has over 30 years of tattooing experience and specializes in black and gray fine line realism and florals.
Nichols said his career began in 1994 and has spanned across the nation. He has worked in shops in Illinois, New Mexico, and most recently, Kentucky. In 2020, Nichols opened Clean Line Tattoos in Russellville after commencing his sober journey.
“I’m a recovering alcoholic,” Nichols said. “When I went into treatment, my employer, who I had here in town, terminated me, stating he needed an artist in the chair, not one in rehab.”
Nichols said his former employer placed him on a two-year non-compete contract. This meant Nichols could not work in Bowling Green for two years. He said he pursued his interests in the nearby town of Russellville.
“The owner decided he was done, threw in the towel, and I wound up taking over the building,” Nichols said. “The opportunity came up to make it my place up there, and that’s what I did. I had no clue I was going to do that. I had a plan eventually, but not that quickly.”
After the non-compete expired in 2022, Nichols said he moved the shop to its current location in Bowling Green. However, some artists have differing opinions on his stance on recovery.
“I’m openly admitting that I am a recovering addict and alcoholic,” Nichols said. “I made enemies with almost just about everybody in the tattoo world by expressing the fact that it’s in the industry. I didn’t get as much support as other shops after admitting that.”
Nichols said he was reluctant to believe artists would want to work at the shop after expressing his beliefs on sobriety. However, he said this proved to be no obstacle for him. Artists flocked to the shop to join the team, such as Chris Bishop.
American traditional artist, Bishop, said he joined the shop in 2024 after working at a shop in Tennessee.
“I started tattooing about four years ago,” Bishop said. “I went to a shop in Tennessee where I thought I was gonna have an apprenticeship. But he just gave me a place to work, and I had to figure it out and teach myself. And it was trial and error, but I think it made me pretty good.”
As a child, Bishop said he aspired to be a comic book artist. However, his childhood in California and the contemporary aesthetics at the time altered his dream.
“When I was a kid, I grew up around a lot of punk rockers and cholos. I always thought it looked cool seeing all these tatted-out dudes,” Bishop said, “And in the back of my head, I was always like, ‘Oh, man, it would be cool to be a tattooer.’ Then it happened.”
Bishop said his successful aspirations led him to Clean Line Tattoos after moving to Kentucky with his tattoo artist wife, Kayla.
Bishop said he and his wife ended up moving to Kentucky. They wanted to stay in a shop together, but it didn’t turn out that way. Bishop said he was following Clean Line Tattoos on their social media page and one day he decided to message them for a chance to be on the team.
Fortunately, he said, they were hiring a new member and Bishop joined the team. Starting his employment at Clean Line Tattoos, Bishop said he found that the work environment was unlike that of the tattoo shop where he once was.
“My work environment is much less stressful,” Bishop said. “It was kind of a stressful situation at my last shop there towards the end, and I feel really comfortable and cool up here with everybody.”
Bishop said this new, calm environment has granted him the freedom to flex his skills and tattoo an array of different styles, but American traditional remains his favorite.
As a tattoo artist, Bishop said he realizes that many young artists want to pursue this career, but he urges that most need to be wary of what is out there now in the field.
“Please don’t tattoo out of your house,” Bishop said. “Don’t take any online courses. Don’t do any of that crap. Draw flash sheets for a year straight, and get a real apprenticeship, because that’s the only way you’re truly gonna learn.”
Customer Katie Soto said she went to Clean Line one time and was hooked.
“I had been searching for the perfect Jack and Sally tattoo for months,” Soto said. “I walked in and spoke to Sam, and he said, ‘I got you.’ When I came back the next day he had the exact Jack and Sally tattoo that I wanted.”
Soto said she believes that Clean Line Tattoos embodies their name, and they make the customer the priority.
“They always take the time to talk to you and make you feel welcomed,” Soto said. “I will definitely go back for any other tattoos I want.”