Honoring a legendary Man, Joshua Carlton

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the loss of a Titan, Joshua Carlton. On Saturday May 11 at 5:31 pm he took his last breath with his family holding his hands and speaking their love to him in his Oregon home.

How do you attempt to summarize the incredible life of a truly exceptional man? I’d humbly ask instead, that we continue to honor and celebrate his monumental achievements within his brief, yet deeply enriched life.

Joshua Ernest Carlton was born on a beautiful Saturday morning June 15,1974 in Prescott, Arizona to the proud parents Billy Ray Carlton and Nancy Lynn (DesEnfants) Carlton. He was immediately cherished by his sister Jennifer Sue (Carlton) Pace who was just two at the time. They shared a strong bond that carried through life as they always looked to protect each other at any adversity or challenge.

Joshua grew up with a love for music and magic, intently studying the iconic Harry Houdini and delighting his younger sister Jamy with his newly learned tricks and talents. Going so far even to “levitate” once!

His passion for music grew when he entered highschool and formed a band with friends, often playing at local coffee shops in their small town Corvallis, Oregon. This same passion and talent grew exponentially over the years and took him across the globe. Playing music on sold out stages for thousands of people cheering him on with well known bands This Patch of Sky (guitar 2012-2019) and Chiaroscuro (guitar 2008-2011).

Headlining Dunk!Fest in Belgium was amongst these accomplishments, which was an absolute dream come true for Joshua.

He successfully composed, performed, produced and released his album Moonlight under the Black Flag (2021 piano, cello, violin) entirely on his own which gained him even more accolades and praises to his already stellar reputation.

Joshua was always an artistic mind and could find the beauty in most things. He saw a poorly done tattoo while in his teenage years, and thought to himself that he could do better. He would spend the better part of the next 35 years showing us that he would do exactly that. Gracing the pages and covers of every tattoo magazine, publications, books, journals…you name it and Joshua was praised and recognized. His unique style of tattooing, coupled with his immense dedication to the craft, left the tattoo world in awe with inspiration. He forever strived to leave tattooing better than when he found it, which I think he absolutely achieved.

He also mentored and taught his younger sister Jamy Carlton the craft of tattooing and she has shared that determination and love for art with him for nearly 20 years, traveling the world and educating where she can.

Always an innovator and noted as a bit of a rebel, Joshua shared the importance of knowledge and continued growth for tattooing. This led to him writing and publishing his first book Advanced Tattooing Techniques: A Guide to Realism In early 2006. He would continue to provide education with DVD releases of ‘In the Studio with Joshua Carlton’ Volumes 1&2 (2007).

In 2013, an opportunity was presented from local entrepreneurs/artists Erin and Riley Smith of Springfield, Oregon (Lifetime tattoo, Queen Bee Tattoo). The great accomplishment of Evergreen Tattoo Invitational was formed with Joshua, Nichole, Erin & Riley and would become one of the most popular and well respected tattoo conventions in the US. Focusing on the art and creative side of tattooing, this platform allowed artists from all over the world to compete, educate, inspire and create alongside their peers.

Wanting to provide helpful knowledge again, the team added Evergreen Educational to the roster. Bringing top tiered artists from around the world to share seminars, techniques and inspiration over a number of days.

In 2004 Joshua decided he was going to try his hand at oil painting, which of course, he became a master of as well. His paintings were displayed and sold at infamous galleries such as Paul Booth’s Last Rites as well as Abend Gallery. With this new tool in his arsenal he added 2 more volumes to his ‘In the Studio with Joshua Carlton’ collection; Dry Brush in Oil & Portrait in Oil.

To summarize all of these massive accomplishments you’d realize he’s lived such a full and tremendous life though we’ve not even gotten to his greatest achievements and sources of pride… his loving family. Nichole came into his heart in 2001 and Joshua instantly knew this was the love of his life. They’ve shared an undeniable connection for over 20 years which I’m convinced they will continue to carry throughout all of time and space. If you’ve ever been with them, you’ll have seen the way his eyes light up whenever she’s near him.

They share two intelligent and gentle natured children Penelope Mae and Elliot Ray who are the light of their lives. Penelope will follow in her father’s legacy and learn the craft of tattooing with her Mom and Aunt Jamy’s help (as well as the amazing tattoo community). She has a passion and talent for baking and is a strong willed and tenacious young lady who intends to explore the world. Elliot has his parents keen eye for photography with his art sold around the world. He’s a gentle and compassionate young man with great integrity and heart.

Joshua has a beautiful daughter Sage Viscarra from a previous marriage. She is incredibly smart with a career in oncology nursing and had given him the greatest gift of a granddaughter named Amelia.

Joshua would hope that you will do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for someone in need.

Long live the light and beauty that comes down and through onto all of us.

He is preceded in death by his father, Billy Ray Carlton (b: 9/19/1932 d: 6/16/2008)

His mother Nancy Lynn (DesEnfants) Carlton (b: 4/5/1951 d: 2/18/2023)

His maternal grandmother Mildred Sue (Doss) DesEnfants (b: 9/05/1928 d: 5/08/2024)

His maternal grandfather Ernest Cyril DesEnfants (b: 8/17/1916 d: 4/15/92)

He is survived by his wife Nichole (Stanley) Carlton, daughter Sage (Carlton) Viscarra, daughter Penelope Mae Carlton, son Elliot Ray Carlton, sister Jennifer Sue (Pace) Carlton, sister Jamy Carlton.