Meet Esperanza Garzon Cortes of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Esperanza Garzon Cortes.

Hi Esperanza, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Esperanza Garzón Cortes. I’m a Colombian tattoo artist who moved to Los Angeles three years ago with a passion for art and a desire to create something that truly felt like my own. Today, I specialize in color tattooing, a style that has allowed me to feel free and express my thoughts, emotions, and creativity through every piece I create.

What I love most about tattooing is that it goes far beyond creating a beautiful image. Every tattoo carries a story, a memory, or a part of someone’s identity. For me, the process is a collaboration between the client and the artist. Seeing someone leave happy because we were able to transform their story into a piece of art is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

My work has been influenced by anime, kawaii aesthetics, and artists such as Sergey Shanko, Miguel Echeverria, Azat Kamaletdinov and Skeleto Regnare. I’m incredibly grateful to these artists because their work has inspired me and influenced my artistic journey from the beginning.

I’m still growing, learning, and discovering new ways to push myself creatively. My goal is not only to continue evolving as an artist, but also to show people that tattooing can be a powerful form of self-expression—a way to turn your experiences, culture, emotions, and imagination into something you can carry with you forever.

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?
The road definitely hasn’t been easy. I come from a very traditional family, and for a long time, the expectation was that I would become a doctor. In Colombia, I studied and worked as a social worker, so choosing tattooing meant stepping away from the path others had imagined for me and finding the courage to create my own.

Starting this career later in life has also been challenging. There have been moments when I’ve wondered if I was too old to begin something completely new. But instead of letting that doubt hold me back, I used it as motivation. I knew that becoming the artist I wanted to be would require a lot of studying, practice, patience, and the willingness to make mistakes and keep learning.

This journey has taught me that there is no right age to pursue your passion. Starting later may mean taking a different path, but it also means bringing all of your life experience with you. That perspective has become one of my greatest strengths as an artist.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in color tattooing, creating vibrant, eye-catching pieces that combine technical precision with creativity and emotion. Although I’m still relatively new to the tattoo industry, I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come in a short amount of time.

I’ve had the opportunity to meet and learn from artists who have been in this profession for 10 or even 20 years, and that experience has made me appreciate my own journey even more. Knowing that I’ve been able to create tattoos that stand out and connect with people after only a few years in the industry is something I’m genuinely proud of.

What sets me apart is my determination to keep learning and my desire to develop a style that feels authentically mine. I don’t want to simply reproduce what has already been done—I want to continue experimenting with color, composition, and storytelling to create pieces that are memorable and meaningful to each client.

I’m proud of where I am today, but I see this as only the beginning. My goal is to continue pushing myself, learning from the best, and ultimately become one of the best color tattoo artists in the world. For me, the journey is just as important as the destination.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned throughout this journey is that talent alone is not enough. I’ve learned to listen—to my clients, to other artists, and to constructive criticism—because every perspective is an opportunity to grow.

I’ve also learned that practice and discipline are what turn a dream into a real skill. There are days when progress feels slow, but staying consistent and continuing to practice has made all the difference.

Most importantly, I’ve learned to trust the process. If I stay disciplined, remain open to learning, and continue working toward my goals, I know I can keep growing—not only as a tattoo artist, but as a person. For me, success is built one day, one tattoo, and one lesson at a time.

Contact Info:

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