Clayton James, an artist and owner at Electric Oni Tattoo in Petaluma, California, began his tattooing journey at 18 in 2000. Under the mentorship of the late Tim Cooper, Clayton developed a deep passion and curiosity for the craft, which led him to study and practice globally in locations like Alaska and Iceland. In 2005, he played a key role in opening Electric Oni Tattoo’s original location alongside Khaljan Bedros, eventually purchasing the shop upon Khal’s retirement in 2012. While proficient in a variety of styles and still enjoying small custom designs and flash, Clayton’s primary focus today is on large-scale compositions, particularly those inspired by Japanese and Americana motifs. He is known for putting tattooing first, creating lasting art from classic flash pieces to full body suits.
