Today we’d like to introduce you to Joey Zazueta.
Hi Joey, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My brother-in-law, Brandon “Spider” Lombardi, was the first person to really endorse my artistic habits. He would buy me supplies every year for Christmas or my birthday, and to this day, I owe him so much. He eventually became a tattoo artist, so from a young age, I was around the scene and fell in love with the culture. I found myself struggling to land a solid apprenticeship, having gone through multiple before I met Allan Rivera, owner of Renaissance Studios. He took me under his wing and taught me the trade, which eventually led me to Carlos Torres and working at The Raven and The Wolves, where I have been tattooing for five years. I’m proud to continue my craft alongside the many talented artists at The Raven and the Wolves.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, not at all. What was alluring about tattooing was that I felt it was something that genuinely had to be earned. I worked incredibly long hours for free, was treated like dirt, and struggled for years. I was working a full-time job on top of trying to apprentice, and I remember falling asleep at the wheel after working 16-hour days. What ultimately ignited the fire under me and what drove me to hone in on my craft was my wife giving birth to our daughter, Valentina.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a tattoo artist that specializes in black and grey realism and lettering. I also paint, design for brands and love to use charcoal. Currently, I am most proud of the way I’ve blended calligraphy and the human figure. This style that I’ve developed over the years is pretty unique and I think it’s what sets me apart from others.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I started boxing at the age of four and did it for 13 years with the intention of becoming a professional fighter.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/joeyzazueta
Image Credits
David Andrade @thecousindave
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