Rising Stars: Meet Alan Padilla of San Pedro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alan Padilla.

Hi Alan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, my name is Alan Padilla. I used to rehearse upstairs with my band, Sunken City. One day I heard the place downstairs was for sale. I didn’t think much of it at first. Owning a wine business wasn’t something I had planned on. But the more I thought about it, the more I saw potential. I knew the building. I had history here. And I started thinking, why not me?

At the time, the business was focused on wine, mostly selling bottles and club memberships. But it looked nothing like it does today. The potential was there, but it needed to be rebuilt from the ground up. So I renovated everything. New floors. New layout. New energy. And with my wife Hibzan, who co-owns and manages the day-to-day, we opened The Artistry Wine Bar right before the pandemic hit.

But this story really starts long before that. Before I ever poured wine or hung paintings, I built my career as a tattoo artist. That is where I found my discipline, my reputation, and my community. Tattooing gave me everything. My voice, my work ethic, and the ability to build something of my own. I did not come into this space from the outside. I came in as an artist. And that is what gave me the confidence to take a risk on a place like this.

Tattooing taught me how to connect with people. How to listen. How to build trust. All of that shows up here in the way we curate art, the way we host events, and the way we treat people when they walk in the door.

The Artistry is different because it is not just a wine bar. It is not just a gallery. It is a space for artists, by artists. We bring together painters, tattooers, graffiti artists, musicians, and art enthusiasts. People who live and breathe creativity. It is not about hype. It is about real work, real talent, and real connection.

I have known Rino Gonzalez for 16 years. He is one of the most skilled painters I have ever met, and we always talked about building something together. Once the wine bar found its rhythm, we opened The Artistry Gallery next door. We have created a space that does more than show art. It nurtures it. We support emerging artists. We mentor. We guide. We make room for people to grow.

Now it is 2025. We have been open five years. We made it through a pandemic. We have expanded. We have evolved. But the mission is still the same, to build a home for creativity. A place where people can share stories, explore ideas, and feel like they belong.

The Artistry is not just a business. It is a reflection of everything I have learned as a tattoo artist, a builder, and someone who believes in community.

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?
Of course there were challenges. I opened The Artistry right before COVID hit. Three months in, I was standing in the middle of the space looking around at all the empty chairs and untouched bottles, wondering what I had just gotten myself into. Everything shut down. Tattooing slowed to a stop. The pace I was used to, always moving and always working, was no longer possible.

But during that quiet, something shifted. I felt inspired to paint more than ever. With the world on pause, I finally had the space and time to create without distraction. I poured everything I had into the canvas. That focus became my therapy. It kept me steady through the uncertainty.

To my surprise, people started reaching out for my paintings. I wasn’t promoting anything. But while everyone was stuck at home, they were looking for something real.

Collectors started calling. Some even showed up in person. Even though the gallery was closed, the art didn’t stop. That’s what kept the lights on. That moment reminded me why I started making art in the first place.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a tattoo artist and painter. Most people know me for my black and gray realism in tattooing, and for my oil paintings on canvas. My work focuses on detail, emotion, and storytelling. Whether it’s a portrait, a scene, or something symbolic. One of the things I’m especially proud of are my charra paintings. They honor Mexican culture and tradition, but I bring them into a fine art space with a level of realism and care. It’s about creating something timeless and meaningful for the client.

What sets me apart is how respect the craft. I care a lot about technique. I’m always studying, always refining, and always pushing to get better. Whether it’s tattooing or painting, I don’t believe in getting comfortable. I pay close attention to the technical side, but I also think about how to move with the times. I’m constantly modernizing my approach. Whether that means new tools, new styles, or new ways of connecting with people. At the same time, I stay grounded in why I started. I want every piece to feel intentional. I want it to hold up over time. For me, it’s not just about being good. It’s about growing, adapting, and giving people my best work, every time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alanpadilla.art/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanpadillaart/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlanPadillaArt/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Alanpadillaart
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-artistry-wine-lounge-san-pedro?osq=Wine+Bars