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Willard Malebear

@willardtattoos

8.7K

followers

7913

following

Huŋkpapȟa Lakȟota - 🌱🌱🌱
Exec-Art Shelf, Owner-Iktomi Tattoo. SPONSORS: @industryinksusa
@reborntattoocare @prodigy.tattooproducts

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This past weekend I competed in the @worldseriesoftattooing , a bracket-style competition with around 30 incredibly talented artists. I’m genuinely honored, humbled, and beyond grateful to have come out the other end with the win. Looking around that room, I honestly felt like any one of those tattoos could have taken the title. The level of artistry was unreal, but what impressed me even more was the humility, kindness, and respect shared by everyone competing.

As meaningful as the trophy is, the greatest reward was the friendships and connections I made throughout the weekend. A huge thank you to everyone who competed, to every person who stopped by my booth, and especially to the organizers of the @thirdcoasttattooshow / @andyink I’m leaving inspired, grateful, and more motivated than ever to keep pushing my craft.

Thank you to everyone who has supported my journey over the years. Moments like this are never achieved alone, and I’m incredibly grateful to be able to do what I love every day.

Also special thanks to @trent_funningham @joshuabowers @kellysevertson for chatting/motivating me throughout the weekend!

FOR APPOINTMENTS EMAIL
appt@willardcustomart.com

INK: @industryinksusa
GLIDE: @reborntattoocare
STENCIL: @stencil_slayer_pro
ECO SUPPLY: @goodjudy.ca
BEST EQUIPMENT: @workhorseirons
MIDWEST SUPPLY: : @wolfhaustattoosupply
MY SHOP: @iktomitattoominneapolis

#rebornfamily #industryinks #ecotattooing #minneapolis #tattoo by @willardtattoos

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4 months ago

Last night I had the honor of tattooing a traditional Choctaw face marking for a young woman from southeastern Oklahoma.

She had been preparing for this moment for over a year. The design represents a transition into womanhood and was historically worn by women from the Six Towns area where her family comes from.

I made it clear that I am a Lakota man, not Choctaw, and that these markings belong to her people. She came to me in a good way, with respect and intention, and I was honored to help her carry this part of her ancestry forward.

Because this was a ceremonial tattoo, I chose not to charge for the work. It didn’t feel right to turn that moment into a transaction. Some tattoos are about more than money—they’re about identity, healing, and connection to our ancestors.

I’m grateful to have been trusted with something so meaningful.

Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ 🦅🦅🦅

@reborntattoocare
@industryinksusa
@workhorseirons
@wolfhaustattoosupply
@goodjudy.ca
@bowerssupply
@stencil_slayer_pro
MY SHOP: @iktomitattoominneapolis

#rebornfamily #native #tattoo #life #minneapolis taken in Iktomi Tattoo by @willardtattoos

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8 months ago

SUPER STOKED on this @alexgreycosm project! I have around 10hrs on this piece and we have just another touch-up session left! Alex has always been a major influence on my art and I am honored to tattoo one of his amazing pieces!!!

I am so happy with these colors by @industryinksusa 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽

As always, Please email me for an appointment appt@willardcustomart.com or call my shop 612-6-TATTOO ( @iktomitattoominneapolis )

🦅Please support/checkout/follow:

@goodjudy.ca : 🌿Eco-friendly tattoo products!

@reborntattoocare : 👻 Love using the GHOST gel during the tattoo and I recommend them for all your aftercare needs!

@workhorseirons : 💥 Machines/supply + they make eco-friendly needles/cartridges in collaboration with @goodjudy.ca

@wolfhaustattoosupply : 🐺my homies supply company outta Fargo, fast shipping to anywhere Midwest!

@crybabytattooproducts - best stencil stuff out there!

#tattoo #mntattooers #minneapolis #mn #life #native #indigenous #nativetattoo #nativetattooartist #alexgrey #art taken in Iktomi Tattoo by @willardtattoos

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a year ago

🔥 OKLAHOMA CITY! GATHERING OF INK! 🔥

I’m excited to announce that I’ll be tattooing at Gathering of Ink, October 23–25, in Oklahoma City!

I’m looking to take on a few special projects while I’m out there! I’d love to create some bold, colorful, Indigenous-inspired tattoos—think animals, Indigenous florals, and unique compositions that bring these elements together.

I’m especially interested in LARGE-SCALE color pieces and projects where I have some creative freedom to really make something special!

SPECIAL DISCOUNTED RATES for clients willing to travel down to Oklahoma City to get tattooed by me! MESSAGE ME FOR DETAILS!

If you’ve been wanting a big, colorful piece from me, this could be the perfect opportunity to make it happen.

Shoot me a DM! Let’s talk ideas, pricing, and details and see what we can create together!

Looking forward to connecting with relatives, fellow artists, and the tattoo community down in Oklahoma! 🦬🦅✊🏽

@industryinksusa
@reborntattoocare
@prodigy.tattooproducts
@goodjudy.ca
@wolfhaustattoosupply
@workhorseirons
@gathering_of_ink

#tattoo #oklahoma #native #oklahomacity #art taken in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma by @willardtattoos

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an hour ago

BIG NEWS! After a lot of thought and some difficult decisions, I’ve decided it’s time for a new chapter for both Iktomi Tattoo- @iktomitattoominneapolis and Art Shelf - @artshelforg !!!

This wasn’t an easy choice. I’ve poured so much love, energy, and resources into our current space, but between some complicated circumstances with the building and the challenges of being tucked away at the end of Hennepin, I believe it’s in everyone’s best interest to move forward.

THE GOOD NEWS IS WE ARE STAYING IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD🦅

IKTOMI TATTOO: Same amazing family of artists, same commitment to our craft, just a better location with more visibility, foot traffic, and opportunities for everyone! We’re aiming for a December 1 grand opening!

ART SHELF: We’ll be temporarily closed November 1–December 1 while we transition into our new home. We’re excited to reopen with fresh energy, established weekly programming, and an even stronger commitment to creativity, wellness, recovery, and community.

As a nonprofit, Art Shelf will need some extra support to make this transition successful, so please keep an eye out for upcoming fundraisers! 💙💙💙💙

I’ve learned that sometimes leadership means making hard decisions for the people and community you care about. I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who’s helped us build what we have.

We’re not starting over. We’re building on everything we’ve already created. New space, new energy, same beautiful community. 🖤

#community #minneapolis #iktomitattoo #artshelf #life taken in Iktomi Tattoo by @willardtattoos

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21 hours ago

What an incredible 48hrs in He Sápa, the Black Hills, celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day with so many amazing relatives! ❤️✊🏽

I originally came to spend time with my friend and mentor Nick Tilsen for coaching/mentorship and ended up joining the NDN Collective event setup crew. I couldn’t have been more grateful! From painting and hanging banners to setting up tipis and hauling things around, I was happy to help wherever I could.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m usually the loud, obnoxious character running around Iktomi Tattoo or Art Shelf, talking too much, cracking jokes, and trying to organize 37 things at once. 😂 🤣💥 But this weekend, I enjoyed taking a different role: listening, observing, learning, and helping.

It was inspiring to see how the NDN Collective team operates. The organization, communication, relationships, and teamwork genuinely felt like family. Everyone had a role, contributed, and shared a strong sense of purpose.

As someone growing in nonprofit leadership, this was an incredibly valuable experience. It’s the kind of culture I hope to continue building with Art Shelf and Iktomi, one where people feel supported, connected, and excited to show up for one another.

The celebration itself was incredible, with Indigenous artists, musicians, speakers, organizers, and community members coming together to celebrate our existence, resilience, and cultures. The energy was unforgettable!

I’m deeply grateful to Nick, the NDN Collective team, and all the relatives who welcomed me. It was an honor to work alongside you, learn from you, and be part of something so meaningful.

Sometimes the best way to learn how to lead is to pick up a paintbrush and help somebody else get things done. 🤣❤️

Pilamaya 🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅

#hesapa #blackhills #ipd #oyate #life taken in He Sapa by @willardtattoos

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3 days ago

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a day of celebration, remembrance, gratitude, and honoring our relatives. Today, I honor Indigenous peoples around the world who have fought, sacrificed, and continue to stand against oppression, colonization, and the destruction of our lands, cultures, and traditional ways of life.

I give thanks to our ancestors and all of our relatives who made the ultimate sacrifice so that future generations, including myself, could have the opportunity to reconnect with, learn, practice, and carry these beautiful ways of life forward. I recognize that the knowledge, ceremonies, medicines, and teachings I am blessed to have today did not come without sacrifice. They survived because our relatives refused to let them disappear.

I also want to acknowledge the relatives who are still doing this work every single day. The knowledge keepers, language speakers, land and water protectors, cultural teachers, community organizers, and all those who dedicate their lives to protecting what has been passed down to us. I look up to so many of you and I am honored to be your relative.

Our existence is a testament to the resilience of our ancestors, and our responsibility is to make sure these ways continue for the generations yet to come. Today is a celebration of who we are, a remembrance of those who came before us, and a reminder that our work is far from over.

With a heart full of gratitude, I give thanks to all my relatives, past and present, who have made it possible for us to still be here. We are still here. Our cultures are alive. Our ways are alive. And our future generations deserve to inherit them.

Today I spend the day in He Sapa (Black Hills) helping my friends and new relatives with the NDN Collective celebrate strength and resilience. I am extremely honored to be here!

The red image is artwork I created for the Native American Peer Revovery Training pamphlet. And the images are from Wounded Knee, both survivors and those who were massacred.

-Willard Malebear Jr.

#life #oyate #indigenous #tiwahe #lakota taken in He Sapa by @willardtattoos

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5 days ago

Still feeling so grateful for the amazing experience at @mnufc Indigenous Heritage Night!

I had the honor of designing a special T-shirt and scarf for the game. Seeing my artwork come to life and watching everyone show so much love for these designs was such an incredible feeling. The T-shirts sold out immediately, and someone bought every single scarf before I could even get one myself!

BUT GOOD NEWS! 🙌🏽 Because of the overwhelming support, the MNUFC has decided to do another run of BOTH the T-shirts and scarves! So if you missed out, keep an eye on the club merch for another opportunity to grab one! I’ll post more updates when I know them!

I’m continually humbled and grateful for opportunities like this to share my creativity, celebrate Indigenous culture, and represent our communities through art.

A huge thank you to MNUFC, my friend Jared Hanks @jdhanks , and Modern Day Me @moderndayme for making this opportunity possible. And to everyone who showed up, supported, and celebrated with us, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

What a beautiful night. Feeling blessed, inspired, and excited for what’s ahead!

#art #life #mn taken in Minneapolis, Minnesota by @willardtattoos

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5 days ago

Hau mitáyapi. Meet Willard Malebear Jr, a local Indigenous artist whose work will feature during our annual Native American Heritage Game. Learn more about Willard and his new piece, which incorporates sacred medicines and floral patterns inspired by Lakota, Dakota and Anishinaabe traditions. by @willardtattoos

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7 days ago

Chris flew in from Maine just to get this tiger tattoo from me! I am always so honored when clients/friends travel across the world to grab a tattoo from me and hang out for a day!

FOR APPOINTMENTS EMAIL
appt@willardcustomart.com

SPONSORS:
GLIDE: @reborntattoocare
INK : @industryinksusa
STENCIL: @stencil_slayer_pro

FAMILY;
ECO SUPPLY: @goodjudy.ca
EQUIPMENT: @workhorseirons
MIDWEST SUPPLY: : @wolfhaustattoosupply
MY SHOP: @iktomitattoominneapolis

#rebornfamily #industryinks #ecotattooing #minneapolis #tattoo taken in Iktomi Tattoo by @willardtattoos

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7 days ago

Here’s a time lapse of the MN UNITED - @mnufc shirt graphic being drawn in procreate. I know sometimes people enjoy watching this process video stuff, so I figured I’d post it! Enjoy!!!

#process #art #minneapolis #mn #native taken in Minneapolis, Minnesota by @willardtattoos

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9 days ago

+++QUILLWORK AND HAILSTONES+++

I had the honor of tattooing something incredibly special recently. My client/new friend @_wawichayaghi traveled from North Dakota and asked me to recreate the quillwork pattern from the war shirt of her 5x great-grandfather, Waanatan I.

Using photographs of the original shirt as our reference, I recreated the circular quillwork across her shoulder, along with the surrounding dots representing hail. There is something powerful about taking a design that has survived through generations, studying the original work, and translating it into a tattoo that his descendant will now carry with her.

As an Indigenous tattoo artist, projects like this mean a lot to me. This wasn’t just about making a beautiful tattoo. It was about lineage, family, history, and carrying something forward. I’m incredibly grateful for the trust it takes to place something this personal and culturally significant in my hands.

Thank you for trusting me with a piece of your family’s history. It was truly an honor to create this one. 🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅

FOR APPOINTMENTS EMAIL
appt@willardcustomart.com

SPONSORS:
GLIDE: @reborntattoocare
INK : @industryinksusa
STENCIL: @stencil_slayer_pro

FAMILY;
ECO SUPPLY: @goodjudy.ca
EQUIPMENT: @workhorseirons
MIDWEST SUPPLY: : @wolfhaustattoosupply
MY SHOP: @iktomitattoominneapolis

#rebornfamily #industryinks #ecotattooing #minneapolis #tattoo taken in Iktomi Tattoo by @willardtattoos

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10 days ago