Meet Kellan Meador | Tattoo Artist, Musician, Jack-of-all

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kellan Meador and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kellan, what is the most important factor behind your success?
When I hit a wall with acting and comedy, I kept stretching myself to learn video editing, music composition, animation, and design. I didn’t know if any of those things would lead anywhere, but I was interested in them!

I also started taking a deeper interest in coffee as well. Working as a barista had always been my side gig. Then I came upon a job at a Coffee/Tattoo shop a friend, who gave me my first tattoo, was opening.

I started working there as a barista. My friend being an artist allowed me to flourish as a barista and eventually as a manager. After a year, I asked if I could tattoo and she agreed! A year later and I’m a full time tattoo artist.

I don’t think I’d be tattooing had I not continued to take on interests, strive to learn and get better.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My artist name is @paperheadcase. It all started with me doing paper mache m sculptures and masks. That has morphed into street art and now tattooing!! I currently tattoo at Supersweet Tattoos.

I’m also really excited about the new music I have written. I released a children’s storytelling album THE TALE OF PURPLE WILSON under my project The Magenta Rainbow. You can find it on all platforms!!

But now I have written a new musical story called TIMMY TURTLE FEET about a boy named Timmy with two turtles for feet. I will be premiering it along with animations I have done for PURPLE WILSON this November!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite day trip is driving up the PCH to Malibu. Grabbing a pound of steamed shrimp and fried calamari at Neptune’s Net and chowing down on it at Zuma Beach.

That night Id likely take them to Davey Wayne’s or depending on the night…KARAOKE!!!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The three other apprentices who started tattooing with me!

Emma Leight (@artbyeemar)
Carla Grossman (@carlamontanaa)
Jules (@justjulztattoos)

Instagram: @paperheadcase