Daily Inspiration: Meet Big Clint

Today we’d like to introduce you to Big Clint.

Hi Big Clint , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Born in the poor province of Guatemala, my step dad brought us to the United states at a very young age to begin a new life. Following in his footsteps, I became a logistics director for national oil Varco, it wasn’t until then I got interested in tattooing. I started in the industry pretty late in life, stepping into it at age 27 I was knocking on doors asking for an apprenticeship. After the twisted ride of being rejected over and over again I had decided to try to do it on my own. I did it, I called Pacific Beach Tattoo in San Diego and asked the guy to walk me through how to put together and set up a tattoo machine, it was great. I started working on myself and my cousins right away. Every chance I had to tattoo something on someone I would do it just for practice. I have always been an artist, from doodling at school to painting murals. I loved tattooing so much I quit my job making $85,000, which, in 2003 was a pretty good gig. I’m mostly self-taught, following amazing artists that are now friends such as Roman Abrego, Jon Sanchez, and Jason Dunn. For the first several years of my career I was working in the Inland Empire. I had the opportunity to work at Generation8 Tattoo in Hollywood California under Dave Hatton, that’s where the fun started! I learned a lot and connected with a ton of artists to make a bigger name for myself. This had definitely become a full time gig for me, working at the job in Hollywood while working in the Inland Empire. I had the pleasure of working at a lot of amazing shops other than Generation8, such as Rise Above in Montclair, and Six Feet Under in Upland with Corey Miller. In 2018 I decided to go my own way and open up the first ever retail tattoo shop in the city of Rancho Cucamonga’s history. At that time, tattoo shops were not allowed in the city until 2017. The only other tattoo shop in the city at the time had been grandfathered in and soon to be found out they did not have a business license. The shop has now been open for about 6 years and it is very successful. I have had amazing artists come in and out of my shop, both as resident artists and guest spot artists. Having a family, being a father of four boys, and being a business owner in the city has been such a blessing. I couldn’t do it without the love and support of my fellow coworkers, family, and friends. I am extremely grateful.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
A smooth road? There have been plenty moments where there was no road, we had to crawl through gravel in this industry, the struggle is from the start. You can teach anybody the fundamentals of how to tattoo, when they start tattooing people is when the growth really starts to show. For some it’s a faster start, for others is takes a little longer, but that’s when you definitely struggle. It’s easier once you have built a name for yourself. My art has improved drastically and now I know what I am doing so I was able to make a name for myself in this industry.
As far as the business goes, the struggles are the same as everyone the economy, the recession people not being able to afford tattoos, especially here in the state of California where we have high taxes, high dollar. Tattoos and being in this industry is definitely a luxury. Working with other individuals and finding the right artists is also a struggle. As a shop owner I prioritize the team and want to put together a group that meshes together. One obstacle that seems to get harder and harder to get through every year is following the rules and regulations for the public health department.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I would consider myself a well rounded tattooer. I do everything from traditional neo traditional, black and gray, black and gray realism, Japanese, color realism, portrait work, geometrical work, and black work. I have pretty much done it all. What I most known for I would say would be my color work, my lineage and my black and gray realism. I am a very good tattooer, do I consider myself the best? Far from it, I think there is always something to learn and areas to grow. What sets me apart from everybody else is the energy I bring to the table. Not only do I love tattooing but I love the people I meet along the way. The safe and comforting experience I provide is what keeps people coming back and is what I am most proud of.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
This is a tough question, I had pretty cool childhood. My dad was very traditional and worked his ass off for us to have a good life, especially here in the United States. One of my favorite times was growing up in West Covina. It was a dead end street and every house had children around the same age as us. Those seven years were some of the best memories in my childhood.

Pricing:

• Shop Minimum is $100
• Hourly price $250
• Deposits are $100

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.oldcucamongatattoo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebigclint
• Facebook: Www.facebook/clintesmenjaud
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@littlebigclint?si=JRhte9JnsnMc6hsb