I’m very happy to present this many years overdue interview with John Joyce of Scarab Body Arts. It’s a long read, but worth it — I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. Click through to read it now, and come on back here to comment.
John Joyce (Scarab) Interview Posted
Written by
Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News
- Skin and Strings: The Art of Human Puppetryby JonathonOne of the most powerful things about being at a convention like OSC is the sheer concentration of experience, creativity, and capability in one place. When you’re surrounded by people who not only understand the technical complexities of suspension but are excited by the challenge… Read more: Skin and Strings: The Art of Human Puppetry
- Twelve Points to the Skyby JonathonThere’s a particular kind of magic that happens at your first big suspension gathering when you arrive with nerves, an open heart, and the quiet hope of flight. Guided by the encouragement of mentor Lynn Loheide and driven by the quiet confidence of belonging, Alex… Read more: Twelve Points to the Sky
- Ontario SusCon 2025by JonathonIn March 2025, BME attended the Ontario Suspension Convention in Hamilton, hosted by the Kevin Donaghy and the Ontario Suspension Collective. We had the pleasure to take part and help document the event, but also run a booth to sell a bunch of old (but… Read more: Ontario SusCon 2025
- Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezineby NefDear BME Community, We’ve been gone far too long, but BME is back to give people a voice, a space, a community. With time everything evolves, and BME may be different than you remember. Our goal is to stay true to Shannon and Rachel’s values… Read more: Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
- BME Social Mediaby NefWord of mouth has been our method of reuniting the community, and it has brought a substantial amount of us together. I am inspired by your loyalty and I want to remind more people of BME’s existence. In 2020 we gained control over @bmezine on… Read more: BME Social Media
- BMEShopby NefDespite the hurricanes in 2015 which destroyed almost all of what Rachel owned, she managed to save the original inventory from BME. We have relisted some of the stock on BMEShop.com with the hopes you may be interested. Our first drop includes a selection of… Read more: BMEShop
Comments
108 responses to “John Joyce (Scarab) Interview Posted”
Great interview. I love his views on knowledge, and work ethic. Wonderful work, both to John, and Shannon.
Great interview. I love his views on knowledge, and work ethic. Wonderful work, both to John, and Shannon.
John Joyce is an inctredible human being. Very knowledgable about his craft and so many other things, with a constant desire to learn more and better himself and better the lives of people around him. He’s silly and serious all at the same time, loving, and devastatinglt attractive… I know all this and have never atuallky even met the man! Thank god for IAM and curse the distance between Syracuse and Boston! Someday, John Joyce, someday. And you’re right, this interview is long overdue. Thanks, finally.
John Joyce is an inctredible human being. Very knowledgable about his craft and so many other things, with a constant desire to learn more and better himself and better the lives of people around him. He’s silly and serious all at the same time, loving, and devastatinglt attractive… I know all this and have never atuallky even met the man! Thank god for IAM and curse the distance between Syracuse and Boston! Someday, John Joyce, someday. And you’re right, this interview is long overdue. Thanks, finally.
I really enjoyed this interview. One of the best posted so far.
I really enjoyed this interview. One of the best posted so far.
I really wish i had i job i cared about. this dude really seems to have found his.
S
I really wish i had i job i cared about. this dude really seems to have found his.
S
So insightful and humble. One of the best. Thanks Shannon.
So insightful and humble. One of the best. Thanks Shannon.
Now that this article was posted and I’m obsessively checking modblog to see all the wonderful things people have to say about John Joyce (as I do whenever his work is posted, fan club president or crazy stalker, take your pick) I have to say, John, I apologize for the spelling error-riddled praise I gave you before, your amazingness at leasts deserves spell-check!! Oh, you’re just so wonderful. 🙂
Now that this article was posted and I’m obsessively checking modblog to see all the wonderful things people have to say about John Joyce (as I do whenever his work is posted, fan club president or crazy stalker, take your pick) I have to say, John, I apologize for the spelling error-riddled praise I gave you before, your amazingness at leasts deserves spell-check!! Oh, you’re just so wonderful. 🙂
Fantastic interview. Would that more piercers had the presence of mind and dedication to their craft that John Joyce does–we’d all be in better shape!
Fantastic interview. Would that more piercers had the presence of mind and dedication to their craft that John Joyce does–we’d all be in better shape!
That was great interview…John really seems to know his shit and the photos exhibit some amazing work. Great job Shannon on the interview and some seriously big ups to John Joyce!! I wish I knew someone of his skill caliber in South Florida. If anyone does let me know.
That was great interview…John really seems to know his shit and the photos exhibit some amazing work. Great job Shannon on the interview and some seriously big ups to John Joyce!! I wish I knew someone of his skill caliber in South Florida. If anyone does let me know.
Honestly, John did all the work on the interview — I didn’t even need to do follow-up. His work ethic absolutely extended to his answers and he made my job very easy!!!
Honestly, John did all the work on the interview — I didn’t even need to do follow-up. His work ethic absolutely extended to his answers and he made my job very easy!!!
Met John in person last year at APP. He has such great energy about him and truly an amazing artist.
Met John in person last year at APP. He has such great energy about him and truly an amazing artist.
I really loved reading this interview – brain candy nicely combined with eye candy and John Joyce seems to be a piercer everyone would love to go to.
Thumbs-up for a great perspective both on learning, attitude changes over time and insight into the “shop life” – sure it’s not all that as glamorous as we like to think, so let’s better keep it in mind.
yep, it must be one of the best and most interesting ones lately. Thanks for that!
I really loved reading this interview – brain candy nicely combined with eye candy and John Joyce seems to be a piercer everyone would love to go to.
Thumbs-up for a great perspective both on learning, attitude changes over time and insight into the “shop life” – sure it’s not all that as glamorous as we like to think, so let’s better keep it in mind.
yep, it must be one of the best and most interesting ones lately. Thanks for that!
John Joyce is an amazing piercer and this interview certainly was long overdue. Syracuse is lucky to have someone so talented and such a reputable studio! I still recommend him to anyone who asks me about where to go for piercing/scarification work in central NY.
John Joyce is an amazing piercer and this interview certainly was long overdue. Syracuse is lucky to have someone so talented and such a reputable studio! I still recommend him to anyone who asks me about where to go for piercing/scarification work in central NY.
What a brilliant and beautiful article! It’s so nice to read about someone who obviously has such a passion and love for their work. There is such a small percentage of people in this world who truly put their all into everything they do, and John’s obviously one of them. After hearing so much about John through my time on IAM and reading through BME and ModBlog, I’m so happy I finally got to hear about him in his own words! Thanks a ton, Shannon, and thank you, John!
What a brilliant and beautiful article! It’s so nice to read about someone who obviously has such a passion and love for their work. There is such a small percentage of people in this world who truly put their all into everything they do, and John’s obviously one of them. After hearing so much about John through my time on IAM and reading through BME and ModBlog, I’m so happy I finally got to hear about him in his own words! Thanks a ton, Shannon, and thank you, John!
WOW just WOW! BEST interview SO far from my point of view! He definetely changed my mind about scarification. I’m still not ready for one but now i am thinking about it. Anyone knows good artists in Sweden?
WOW just WOW! BEST interview SO far from my point of view! He definetely changed my mind about scarification. I’m still not ready for one but now i am thinking about it. Anyone knows good artists in Sweden?
i loved every letter of the interview
it really show what hard work it is but also how most clients are happy of what you did
i loved every letter of the interview
it really show what hard work it is but also how most clients are happy of what you did
I’m so glad you interviewed John. I’ve had a branding piece and my septum done by him, and the procedures were both top-notch. I ask him questions about my lobes all the time, and he’s a wealth of knowledge.
I’m so glad I found him – he’s so close and does awesome work.
I’m so glad you interviewed John. I’ve had a branding piece and my septum done by him, and the procedures were both top-notch. I ask him questions about my lobes all the time, and he’s a wealth of knowledge.
I’m so glad I found him – he’s so close and does awesome work.
i absolutely adore john. i go to him and mike for pretty much everything, and i’m totally bummed that i’ve moved over 6 hours away now :/ he is a great guy, totally professional, really sweet. i would recommend him to anyone. *hugs
i absolutely adore john. i go to him and mike for pretty much everything, and i’m totally bummed that i’ve moved over 6 hours away now :/ he is a great guy, totally professional, really sweet. i would recommend him to anyone. *hugs
I am so glad to see this interview and it is indeed overdue. I have been going to see John for all my piercing work now for 5 years. From the first thing I had done (my septum) until now he has been incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. I would recommend that anyone in the area and beyond go see him. Awesome interview!
I am so glad to see this interview and it is indeed overdue. I have been going to see John for all my piercing work now for 5 years. From the first thing I had done (my septum) until now he has been incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. I would recommend that anyone in the area and beyond go see him. Awesome interview!
I once got my hip pierced by another piercer, and it got infected quite badly. The artist told me that it was just because my body didn’t want jewelry and would reject any such surface piercing. I heard about Scarab through a friend, and went there to see if it was possible to get my hip re-pierced. John Joyce did my hip, and not only did it not get infected or reject, it healed incredibly quickly and I’ve never been so comfortable getting anything done. He runs the best place in central New York to get a tattoo or piercing, and is an incredibly helpful and talented person. I’m so glad you interviewed him!
I once got my hip pierced by another piercer, and it got infected quite badly. The artist told me that it was just because my body didn’t want jewelry and would reject any such surface piercing. I heard about Scarab through a friend, and went there to see if it was possible to get my hip re-pierced. John Joyce did my hip, and not only did it not get infected or reject, it healed incredibly quickly and I’ve never been so comfortable getting anything done. He runs the best place in central New York to get a tattoo or piercing, and is an incredibly helpful and talented person. I’m so glad you interviewed him!
Best interview I have read on this site.
Best interview I have read on this site.
Everything about him is just so sexy. Like the fact he is very humble and that you can tell he is talented from seeing his work and seeing the fact that people totally have his back even just here on the comments.
🙂 Very nice interview, probably my favorite.
Everything about him is just so sexy. Like the fact he is very humble and that you can tell he is talented from seeing his work and seeing the fact that people totally have his back even just here on the comments.
🙂 Very nice interview, probably my favorite.
Fucking wonderful article. I cant wait to bumrush john and others like him in vegas here soon!!!
Fucking wonderful article. I cant wait to bumrush john and others like him in vegas here soon!!!
Now THAT’S an interview! (Not that the others weren’t.)
He’s got a lot of class. Talent AND humilty! Plus, he’s a cutie =)
Now THAT’S an interview! (Not that the others weren’t.)
He’s got a lot of class. Talent AND humilty! Plus, he’s a cutie =)
Awesome interview. much respect to this man.
Shannon, since he mentioned Brian, and since i see some of his work on here a bunch, im suprised you havn’t interviewed him yet.
Awesome interview. much respect to this man.
Shannon, since he mentioned Brian, and since i see some of his work on here a bunch, im suprised you havn’t interviewed him yet.
It’s in progress, about half done, don’t worry.
It’s in progress, about half done, don’t worry.