Rising Stars: Meet Jesus Alonso of Manhattan, New York

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesus Alonso

Hi Jesus, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am originally from Seville, Spain, and from a very young age, I had a special connection with art. I loved drawing and spent hours perfecting portraits and details. At the age of 12, during a visit to my family in Barcelona, one of my aunts asked me to draw her pet. When she saw the result, she was so impressed that she spoke to my parents, who began to support me even more in my artistic development. They took me to a professional portrait artist in Seville to learn new techniques and enrolled me in an academy to study oil painting techniques. Additionally, at 16, I attended the School of Applied Arts and Artistic Trades in Seville for two years, which further deepened my passion for art.

At 18, I took a more traditional path and started working for a multinational chain of hypermarkets. For 14 years, I held various positions in different cities, spending the last seven years as a manager and director. However, despite my professional success, I didn’t feel completely fulfilled. That’s when I made one of the biggest decisions of my life: leaving my career in the multinational company to return to my passion for art, a significant risk at the time.

It was through my sister that I discovered the world of tattooing, as she suggested I take a course. That advice marked a turning point for me, as it was the beginning of an entirely new journey. At the age of 36, I moved to another city, 250 kilometers away from my hometown, to work at a tattoo studio, where I met my wife. Three years later, with the birth of my first child, I took another major risk by opening my own tattoo studio.

In recent years, I met Matías Noble, a renowned tattoo artist and colleague, who helped me obtain a visa to work at his prestigious studio in New York. At 45, I took the biggest risk of my life: moving with my wife and two young children from Spain to New York, facing a new continent, a different culture, and a different language. Since then, I have grown professionally, and today I am honored to be part of Noble Art, where I am the lead tattoo artist at the New York studio. Representing the brand is a source of pride for me.

Additionally, while in New York, I have had the opportunity to participate in major conventions, such as the Meadowlands Tattoo Convention in New Jersey, organized by Villain Arts. At that event, I won a total of nine awards in a single weekend, including “Best Tattoo of the Day” and “Best of Show” on several occasions. My work was displayed on stage in front of the audience, which was an incredible experience and a recognition I deeply value.

I also participated in the Springfield Tattoo Convention in Massachusetts, organized by Papillon, where I won three first-place awards. I have been invited as a judge at several conventions, including the New York Tattoo Convention and the Tampa Convention in Florida. Moreover, I have received invitations to participate in some of the most important events in the United States, such as the Philadelphia Tattoo Convention in its 28th annual edition and the New York Tattoo Convention.

So far, taking the step to move to New York has been an entirely positive experience for both me and my family, both professionally and personally. I am the pillar and leading representative of Noble Art in New York. Through my work, awards, and achievements, I am helping Noble Art grow and gain greater international recognition, showcasing excellence and quality in every project.

It is a source of pride and satisfaction to experience everything I have achieved so far.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey to where I am today has not been easy; it’s been full of challenges and sacrifices. One of the most significant and difficult moments was when I decided to leave my job at the multinational company after 14 years. I had a stable position, was well-regarded, and had a good salary, but I was no longer happy. It was a very risky step because it meant starting over from scratch without a clear plan for what I wanted to do. However, I believe it was one of the best decisions I ever made because it allowed me to return to my artistic roots and begin my career in tattooing. It was a leap of faith, but absolutely necessary to find my true passion.

Another challenging time was during the pandemic. During that period, we had to temporarily close both my tattoo studio and the family restaurant that my wife and I managed. Even though the closure was temporary, it was still a very hard blow, both economically and emotionally. At that point, I had to make the tough decision to leave Spain and work in other European countries, far from my family, to keep moving forward. Those were very difficult months that required a lot of sacrifice.

Moving to New York was another significant challenge, probably the most important of all. Changing continents, adapting to a completely different culture, and facing a new language was not easy. Although it has been a positive experience, I can’t deny that living far from Spain, away from our family and friends, has its difficulties. Starting from scratch always requires effort, sacrifice, and a lot of patience.

Throughout my life, I’ve had to make risky decisions that have often brought me face-to-face with obstacles. But I believe these challenges are necessary for growth and progress. I know that more obstacles will arise in the future, but I also know that I will face them with the same determination I’ve shown so far. Every difficulty, no matter how significant, has brought me lessons and opportunities that have allowed me to get to where I am today, and for that, I am deeply grateful.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a tattoo artist specializing in realism and hyperrealism in black and grey, a discipline I have developed with passion and dedication over the years. My work focuses primarily on portraits of famous people, loved ones, animal faces, and mythological sculptures. From a young age, I have always considered myself a portrait artist. I started by drawing faces, and over time, that skill naturally transitioned into the world of tattooing.

One of the things that makes my work stand out is my ability to capture expressions and emotions in faces. When it comes to animals, I put a lot of effort into recreating the textures and volume of their fur, which is technically very challenging but has earned me a lot of recognition. For example, my lion tattoos have reached millions of views on social media, something I’m very proud of because they resonate not only with the public but also with other tattoo artists who appreciate my technique.

I am proud of many things in my career. One of them is having had the opportunity to work with prominent sports figures, such as Jalen Ramsey, a player for the Miami Dolphins, and Don Thompson, a basketball player from California. I have also tattooed several soccer players from Spain and Portugal, which is always an honor as it reflects the trust they place in my work.

Another source of pride is being able to work alongside top-tier artists who were once my role models. Today, sharing space with them as colleagues and earning their mutual respect is something I deeply value. I believe this reflects the growth I have achieved through effort and dedication.

Additionally, in a relatively short time living in New York, I have managed to build a loyal clientele and maintain a waiting list of approximately six months. This demonstrates that hard work pays off and that my style connects with people.

What truly sets me apart is my attention to detail and my passion for creating something unique for each client. Whether it’s a portrait, a mythological piece, or an animal design, every tattoo I create carries a story, and that is what motivates me the most to keep improving and growing every day.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I don’t have a specific favorite childhood memory, but I do have many special moments that, over time, I’ve come to value even more. Some of those memories are closely tied to art. For example, when I was 12, I drew a small portrait of my father from a photo he had, and I also drew my younger sister when she was little. I also remember when my aunt from Barcelona asked me to draw her dog. She was so impressed with the result that she called my parents and suggested they take me somewhere to develop my talent. That call was very important because it marked a turning point. From then on, my parents began to take my abilities more seriously and supported me from the very beginning.

Another special moment was when I drew my grandfather from a photograph. Seeing how proud he was of that portrait is something I’ll never forget. He always had the picture hanging in his house and would constantly say how perfectly it captured his expression and gaze. That made me realize the emotional impact that art can have on people. In fact, my grandfather also took me to meet a well-known painter of the time who had a studio in the center of Seville. That was another memory I cherish deeply.

One more significant memory was when I had a sprained ankle and couldn’t move much. My parents bought me a painting easel so I could start practicing oil painting. That gesture further fueled my passion for art. To this day, I still have that easel as a treasured keepsake.

In summary, I don’t have a single favorite memory—it’s impossible to choose just one. But I do have countless moments that shaped me, especially those connected to art. All of these experiences have brought me to where I am today, doing what I’m most passionate about.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jacalonso.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jac_alonso?igsh=eGFmNDVmOTl6c3R5&utm_source=qr