Check Out Stefano Alcantara’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stefano Alcantara.

Hi Stefano, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Stefano Alcantara was born and raised in Lima, Perú. His education began with a degree in Graphic Design at the Peruvian  Institute of Advertising. He also took painting classes and was influenced by comic books when he was a child. His love for drawing translated in various media, including airbrushing, color pencils, charcoal, acrylics and oil. He was introduced to the world of tattooing at age 18 by the first tattoo magazine he ever saw, found at a flea market in Perú. His fascination with the art turned into a career; he opened his own shop, Stefano´s Tattoo Studio, in 1999 and it is still in business today.
 
Self-taught in the art of tattooing, Stefano dedicated millions of hours traveling the US for conventions, which ultimately helped him realize his unique realistic style.
 
Stefano’s greatest artistic influence is his Great Grandfather, Jose Alcantara La Torre, whose style is inherently similar to his own. As with various forms of media, Stefano does not see art as a business. In terms of tattooing, the human skin is a unique canvas that allows him to create a permanent mark in someone’s life. “That, for me, is what tattoos are all about.”.
In March 2009 he became part of the family at Last Rites Tattoo Theater in NYC.
 
In June of 2012 Stefano start a TOUR traveling to conventions and guest spots at the most important tattoo shops across the Country, South America and Europe. attending tattoo conventions all over the world, He has given dozens of seminars in person, at conventions, and even live seminars over the web.
After participating in several Group Shows all over the US he got the invitation of Last Rites Gallery in NYC for he´s First Solo Show that he called ¨Waqayñan¨ in July 12th – Aug 23rd 2014.
Since then Stefano its been evolving in he’s painting and street art, painting for the past 5 Years Murals in Wynwood, Miami during Art Basel along with some commission work in Dubai and Peru.
Stefano is one of the most talented and sought after tattoo artists in the industry and has an extensive background in the arts, which prefaced his career as a tattoo artist. Outside of tattooing, examples of Stefano’s work can be found around the world. Most notably at places like CONTEXT Art Miami, where his murals can be seen during Art Basel. He was featured at Simons Gallery in 2018, and is now represented by The Art Codes (East coast) and The Method Made (West coast). Stefano also has collaborations in many other areas of the art world including clothing collaborations, with Grizzly Griptape., Converse and Levi’s.
Using his extensive background in the arts, Stefano has taken his influences and created his own original style of realism, which has led to recognition around the world. Stefano has been featured in several publications such as; 10 Top Tattoo Artists, Inked Magazine, New York’s Daily News, and New York Times, in countries like Hungary, Poland, China, Australia, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, UK, Peru and USA. He has also received numerous awards in the tattoo industry across the board. From awards including, but not limited to, the Docens awards at conventions, Tattoo JAM UK Best International Artist of the Year, ROMEL Best Artists of the Year award presented by the magazine “Tattoo Society,” and Artist of the Show at HELL CITY Tattoo Festival.
Beyond his accolades and 3 successful studios, Stefano is also partners with and Host of two of the top tattoo conventions in the United States. Empire State Tattoo Expo and Golden State Tattoo Expo.
Now he have his home base in Fort Lauderdale Florida creating hes most recent pieces at Stefano’s tattoo FL where you can find him by appointment only.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No it was not a smooth road it all… I think in every step of my journey, from immigration problems to not able to open my first shop in the US when I just moved here, But all this was only more fuel to be a better artist.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in realism and surrealism, mostly black and gray now… but a decade ago I was same as known for my color realism, I feel proud of having a style that it can be recognized by artists and collectors, I think to have a unique style is what every artist seek because if your personal voice in the tattoo and art world.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Is very hard to predict to be honest because in the past 10 year the industry changed so much! I think part of the changes are going to be because the amount of new tattoo artists and technology. Im really curious to see what happens to be honest.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stefanoartist.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefanoalcantara/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stefanoalcantarafanpage/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/stefanostattoo
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@stefanoalcantara/