Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabela Santiago.
Hi Isabela, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up, I was always a creative kid—I was constantly making something, no matter what. When I was in high school, COVID hit, and I ended up spending most of my time indoors, which led me to paint and create even more. During that time, I was juggling a lot—shipping orders, making products, and trying to keep my creative energy flowing. Eventually, I burned out and had to take a step back from it all.
Even though I slowed down, I never fully stopped—I kept drawing and selling at a gentler, more manageable pace. For my birthday, I went to get a tattoo from Kane Navasard, who’s now my mentor. While he was tattooing me, I asked him a ton of questions about the whole process of tattooing someone.
He noticed my curiosity and asked why I was so interested. I told him that tattooing had always been something I wanted to do. By the end of the session, he brought up the idea of me becoming an apprentice at the shop and I accepted his offer.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Everyone’s apprentice experience is different, as for my journey in becoming an artist I’d say mine was a little bumpy, I moved out of my family’s home at a young age so I had life responsibilities hit me faster then most people my age, as much as I wish I could have been at my shop 24/7 i knew I had to work full time to be able to sustain myself, luckily I have a very caring and understanding mentor so he worked with me and my schedule, other then that I’d say my journey was amazing, I have such a well rounded shop with amazing artist that are always willing to help me and help me grow to call my home. And I recently quit my job and am now able to be at the shop as much as I want which is what I’ve always wanted.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a tattoo artist at For the Sinners in Whittier, CA. I wouldn’t say I have a specific specialty just yet—I’m still early in my journey and excited to keep exploring different styles. That said, most of my work leans toward fine line black and grey pieces.
What I take the most pride in is creating art that feels true to who I am—work that reflects my personality and the things I value. I think what sets me apart is my drive. No matter the challenge—whether it’s creative block or personal struggles—I always find a way to push through and grow from it.
I was raised by my mom, who did everything she could to give us a stable life. Watching her navigate life with strength and perseverance taught me the value of resilience, and it’s a mindset I carry with me every day—both in life and in my art.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I I truly believe that the relationships I build with my clients are the foundation of my success. There’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing someone leave my chair genuinely happy with a tattoo I created for them. That joy, that sense of connection—it means everything to me.
Creating a space where people feel safe, comfortable, and heard is something I deeply value. When clients not only love their piece but also come back for more, it’s the greatest reminder that I’m on the right path. At the heart of it all, it’s the connections I make that bring me the most happiness. To me, community is everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.forthesinners.com/book
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabelasantiiagoo?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/QPKjVCwjqk
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@fritoslocoss?_t=ZT-8vACZvsKe4o&_r=1
Image Credits
Victoria Nguyen 3rd, 4th, & 7th photo
