Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Lopez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Angel. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started tattooing in a small town in the Sonoran desert in Mexico around 2004. After a few years of DIY tattooing I decided it was time to move forward and get a proper apprenticeship. I moved to San Diego shortly softer looking to find someone to teach me how to tattoo and get started in a real tattoo shop. I searched for many months was granted the opportunity to do an apprenticeship at shop in Pacific Beach SD. After a year of learning I was able to start tattooing at a shop in Tijuana and San Diego, most of the time I tattooed in SD trying to learn as much as possible. In the process, I was introduced to Rock Climbing by a friend, shortly after my life was taken over by Tattooing and Rock Climbing.
Four years ago, I started a T-shirt brand combining tattooing and Rock climbing, not knowing this would push me to develop my artwork into what I do nowadays. I’ve always wanted to give back to the climbing community since most of my inspiration comes through nature and climbing. In January, I started the Climbers Tattoo Special. This was designed to donate 10% of every nature and climbing tattoo to help outdoor nonprofits every quarter. So far we’ve been able to donate $600 in the first quarter and hoping to be able to do a greater donation this August 1st for the second quarter.
Great, 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?
Tattooing is a very difficult skill to learn, even after having a proper apprentice you never stop learning. There is many styles and techniques. I personally became an artist because of tattooing, I always drew and did some painting but not till I got into tattooing I polished those skills. Learning how to be an artist and a Tattooer is quite the undertaking.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Nowadays my tattooing is focused to help the climbing/outdoor community. Most of my tattoo designs are a mixture of American traditional tattoo and outdoor-inspired images, Mountains, deserts, skulls and anything that has to do with the lifestyle.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
It’s hard to have a single child memory, we traveled plenty when I was a kid through Mexico and that provided many good experiences.
Pricing:
- Tattoo shop minimum is $100
- Hour rate is $200 for larger tattoo projects.
Contact Info:
- Address: I currently tattoo at Battle Royale Tattoo in South Park San Diego.
1606 Fern St. San Diego CA 92104 - Website: OutdoorTraditionsCo.com
- Phone: 6198138259
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Angelopez
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angelopeztattoos
Image Credit:
Zach Smith, Adam Mcain
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