Brittany “DreamArtz” Bishop Nashville, TN

DANNY MATEO

I’ve been drawing ever since I can remember, but I got more serious about it back in High School (Venice High School), where I took my first ever art class that changed my life. Something about graffiti really caught my eye! I started like any other graffiti writer by catching tags everywhere and branding myself on the streets, but I wanted more than that. I wanted to paint big murals, so I practiced and practiced until I got better to the point where I was painting big murals but also getting in trouble for other things that came with it. I got the opportunity to work at a shop in Alhambra called Inkfiend. Alhambra was almost an hour away from me, so no one really knew me out there. After about two years of working there, the opportunity presented itself where I was able to open my own private studio. I have been working on my own ever since ⸺ What advice would you

give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo? (A tattoo

virgin) I would suggest not to stress about it so much. First-timers tend to break their head thinking about what to get done, and they get overwhelmed. Instead, know what style you are more interested in and find the right artist for you. Once you find that artist, he/she will help you out with the idea/design. And one last thing…trust your artist and give them full freedom! That’s key to keeping both you and the artist happy ⸺ What did your family and friends think about you getting into the tattoo business? My friends were very supportive by lending me their skin or just by spreading the word about me. My family (parents) are somewhat old school when it comes to tattoos because we don’t come from a tattooed family, and as I mentioned, we are from a small town in Mexico where tattoos are not a good thing, but they have always been very supportive with anything we put our mind to. For that, I thank them a lot ⸺ What would you say is your favorite part of the job? My favorite part of the job is being able to bring the client’s idea to life. Some have big meanings behind them, and seeing their faces of happiness brings me a lot of joy. Some just want something cool, so that also brings me happiness. ✕

Independent Artist

Tattooing one day at a time #justpractice. Shout out to all the tattoo creators that pave the way by doing it before my time. Without you, I wouldn’t be here.

What advice would you give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo? (A tattoo virgin)

It’s always good to bring ideas and let the artist be free with his or her creativity.

What did your family and friends think about you getting into the tattoo business?

Well, tattooing was always second to me since I was working most of my early years of tattooing. So when I decided to go full-time, I was congratulated by all.

What would you say is your favorite part

of the job? Meeting a bunch of interesting people and many different stories they have. And, of course, the outcome of the tattoo.

What was it that initially sparked your interest in tattooing?

I think it was the first time I saw black and gray realism on the skin; the artist was able to create different depth tones of gray and actually cast shadows in the right spots to make it look 3-D.

Who and what influences you to

create your work? I pitched an idea to a long-time homie of mine, 36mata, who had a lot of time on his hands and asked him if he should get into tattooing and try to figure this stuff out; that way, he could work on me and maybe share some information with me, because in those days it wasn’t easy to get any tattoo knowledge. Shortly after, I reached out to coworkers and asked if I could tattoo them just so I can get a feel for it. will let you tattoo them. Find som eone that will trust you.

10 Years

Tattooing

Temple Tattoo Studio

Are there any tattoos Owner/Artist

you would refuse Moreno Valley/

to do? (face, private Rialto, CA areas, etc.) I don’t like Location tattooing fingers. I B&G Realism/ won’t tattoo anyone’s Portraits face or neck if they Specialty don’t have any visible tattoos. I khriss11 @yahoo.com What is the most wouldn’t like to be important advice you responsible for that. ✕ @nuno_west Instagram

can give someone new to the art of tattooing?

Just keep doing it, don’t stop. Read drawing books, study colors, and study casting shadows. Find someone that CHRIS NUNO WEST