Pepe

Located at our Austin location, Pepe is tattoo veteran renowned internationally for multiple styles including line-work, American Traditional and Japanese Traditional, blackwork, abstract and geometric tattoos in particular.  We are thrilled to have him as part of the esteemed Ink Couture Tattoos team.

How long have you been tattooing professionally?
8 years in total.

What inspired you into the art of tattooing?
Drawing has been my artistic medium and creative outlet for as long as I can remember, and as such it has opened the possibility to explore many different techniques and formats (watercolor, oil paint, charcoal, pencil, linocut carving and printing, muralism, serigraphy).  After getting my first tattoo in 2014, it dawned on me that tattooing was another technique that derived from my great passion and so I decided to explore it and the possibility of making a career out of it.

As for who inspires me, that would be my mentor Jhanzu Santana (@jhanzu_ttt) and one of my great friends who is also a tattoo artist, Christian Solo (@shotdemercurio).  Both of them are incredible artists with whom I have a close relationship that allows me to see ow they keep pushing the envelope not only in tattooing but in art in general.     

Tell us about your preferred style of work.
Traditional (Japanese and American), neo-traditional. 

What other styles are you known for?
Blackwork and abstract pieces that rely heavily on textures.

What inspires you as an artist?
Music in general, other artist's work (tattooers and otherwise) and film. 

Why should someone pick you for their next tattoo/to be their artist?
I'm super aware that without a client, I, as an artist wouldn't have the means to do my work, so I've always been someone who is open to dialogue, different options and points of view which has given me the tools that allow me to sit down with a client and develop a vision of a tattoo that he or she will absolutely love.  

Anything else you'd like prospective clients to know about you?
I am fluent in Spanish and English, so if that tattoo is hurting a bit too much, feel free to swear in any language you prefer.

---