- Name
- Tanner Magbanua
- Studio Role
- Apprentice Tattoo Artist — training under Joshawa Elsas
- Years Tattooing
- Not published
- Areas of Focus
- Freehand Polynesian and tribal work in training · Supervised apprentice sessions
- Rate
- $80/hr — apprentice rate
- Current Booking Status
- Tanner is still apprenticing and books apprentice-level sessions through the studio consultation form. Current booking lead time is 3–4 months.
Tanner is an apprentice. Every tattoo shown on this page was completed by Tanner during his apprenticeship — it is not Joshawa Elsas's work, and apprentice sessions are priced and booked separately from Joshawa's.
The Story
"Art has always been at the core of who I am…"
Born in Las Vegas and raised in LA in a football family. Being Filipino-Korean, I stood out — but instead of feeling out of place, I took pride in it. It pushed me to represent where I come from with confidence.
Even though sports shaped my mindset, art has always been at the core of who I am. While other students were taking notes in class, I was sketching in the margins — and that creative drive eventually led me into tattooing right after high school.
Now that I'm part of IslandTAT, I'm learning how to connect my creativity to something deeper — culture, ancestry, and legacy. My goal is to use the gift God gave me to create tattoos that empower people, tell their stories, and remind them to carry their heritage with pride.
Training Under Joshawa Elsas
Apprenticing directly under Joshawa Elsas — learning freehand technique from the studio's founder.
Athletic Discipline
Football-forged focus, work ethic, and relentless drive applied to every tattoo session.
Cultural Pride
Filipino-Korean roots fuel a deep commitment to heritage-driven, empowering artwork.
Portfolio — Tanner Magbanua
Polynesian Tattoos San Diego · Tribal Tattoos San Diego
Featured Styles
Polynesian Foundations
Apprentice-level Polynesian work under Joshawa Elsas — freehand pattern basics, shark teeth, and spearheads.
Learn more →Tribal Linework
Bold tribal linework and small-to-medium tribal pieces built on strong geometric fundamentals.
Learn more →Heritage Pieces
Culturally grounded designs that carry Filipino, Korean, and broader Pacific ancestry with pride.
Learn more →Ready to Wear Your Story?
Begin your Polynesian tattoo journey with Tanner at IslandTAT.
Learn more about our studio on our Polynesian tattoo San Diego page, or head straight to the booking form You can also review the studio's independent press coverage and published work.