Matlock, Derbyshire
Johnny Star
Miner · Tattooist · Author · Healer
"The darkness always comes first. It always comes first.
And then the light."
The Man Behind the Work
Born in the bombs.
Forged in the dark.
Johnny Star was born in Tansley, Derbyshire in 1942 while German planes emptied their guns over the hills. He went down the coal face as a teenager, was buried alive three times, and came back up each time. He became the first professional tattooist in Derbyshire, built four studios, and gave 65 years of his life to his craft.
He has written novels, drawn hundreds of illustrations, worked as a medium and healer, survived cancer, strokes and three years in a wheelchair. He died in this body and was sent back.
At 84 he is still here. Still making. Still speaking the truth.
"I searched fifty years for my father and found him in a room outside time."— Johnny Star
Books
A Life in Words
Johnny has written across memoir, myth and allegory — always from lived experience, always in his own voice.
Memoir
The Derbyshire Little Bastard
The true story of an 84-year-old miner, tattooist and survivor who spent fifty years looking for his father.
Coming Soon
Novel
Spirit of the Forest
A medieval allegory set around Conisbrough Castle — good against evil, the forgotten people, the spirit that cannot be broken.
Coming Soon
Mythology
The Gladiator & Son of the Wind
Two mythological stories — a chosen warrior and a cosmic fighter — drawn from the depths of one man's inner life.
Coming SoonMusic
Songs from the Life
Johnny's stories told in music — cinematic, northern, deeply human. Produced with Creative Loops Therapy.
The Tattooist of Souls
Epic folk · 65 years at the needle
Walk On Little One
Appalachian folk · A pit pony ballad
The Chosen Son
Mythological ballad · Born of sun and moon
What Johnny Offers
In Person & Online
Johnny speaks plainly, from lived experience. No performance. No script. Just the truth of 84 years.
Talks & Speaking
Johnny speaks at community events, heritage groups, libraries, miners welfares, tattoo conventions, spiritual gatherings and anywhere people want to hear a real life told plainly. No two talks are the same.
Book JohnnyEnergy Healing & Reiki
Johnny has worked as a healer and medium for decades. He has seen what lies beyond this life and returned with a deep understanding of the body, the spirit, and what connects them.
EnquirePodcasts & Interviews
Johnny speaks with Clive Wilson of Creative Loops Therapy — conversations about mining, tattooing, survival, near-death, forgiveness and what 84 years actually teaches you.
Get in Touch"Instead of anger destroying me, it came out in my tattoo machine."— Johnny Star
Get in Touch
Say Hello
Johnny does not use email or social media himself. All enquiries are handled by Clive Wilson at Creative Loops Therapy. We will pass your message to Johnny and get back to you.
Send a MessageOr visit creativeloopstherapy.com