Jason Kenneth “Boddhi” Joiner
Jason, professionally known as Boddhi, discovered his passion for art at the age of ten, spending countless hours drawing cartoons and action figures. As his skills developed, he became fascinated with the human form, creating detailed pencil and ink drawings of bodybuilders that reflected his growing technical ability and attention to anatomy.
After graduating from high school in Hawaii, Jason attended the Seattle Art Institute, where he studied art before returning to Honolulu to teach art classes at a private school. His remarkable eye for detail naturally led him to tattooing. Encouraged by those who admired his drawings, he taught himself the craft, first practicing on himself and with the loving support of his mother, Kathleen. He went on to build a career as a tattoo artist, working in studios throughout Colorado Springs, San Diego, Seattle, and Lexington, Kentucky, where he transformed his original artwork into meaningful, permanent expressions for his clients.
In 2007, Jason was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer and given only 6 to 18 months to live. Refusing to let his illness define him, he continued creating art with extraordinary determination, driven by a desire to leave a lasting mark on as many lives as possible. He defied every expectation, living another four years while continuing to share his talent and passion.
Jason passed away on October 31, 2011. He is survived by his mother, Kathleen Baumgardner, his older brother Jeremy Joiner, his younger sister Rachel Joiner, and his beloved daughter, Maya, who was nine years old at the time of his passing. Through the artwork he created and the lives he touched, his legacy continues to endure.
