We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Pablo Sapien a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Pablo, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

It was 2018, I was going through the hardest time of my life struggling with my mental illness, addictions and I had no direction or idea where my life was taking me. I had hit rock bottom and didn’t know if I wanted to stay. untimely I knew this place wasn’t for me. I had to leave so I took a risk, I left my job, my home and my friends that were at the end of the day enabling me to be this person who I didn’t recognize.

I became homeless, literally starting from nothing. taking odd jobs, living in my car, crashing from couch to couch and one day I was introduced to someone who eventually became my mentor in tattooing. slowly getting into the industry as I started with doing body piercings, building myself up and finding this new version of me, the better me and through all of this, I was becoming the father I I needed to be for my 2 beautiful daughters. fast forward to 2024, I now been tattooing for 3 years, im about to celebrate my one year anniversary for my own tattoo studio. my oldest daughter is about to graduate her tattoo apprenticeship and I have the most talented, creative and warm hearted team that I could have ever have asked for.

this couldn’t have been made possible without taking that risk, my life could’ve taken me anywhere or I could’ve been left without one. all I knew back then was that I needed to change and anything was better then where I was. and I I am so blessed that the universe heard me and had my back.

Pablo, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I stubbled into tattooing by being at the right place and the right time. it wasn’t easy at first, doing my apprenticeship. I was homeless at the time, having to travel daily to open up the shop, clean and draw everyday. travel weekly by bus 3 hours away to do my apprenticeship. then covid happened and I was stuck, made it hard for this industry and learning my craft. but a year and a half later I finally graduated! I did my first 3 years at a shop and eventually decided that place wasn’t for me, I wasn’t able to be who I truly was and I left and I opened up my own little studio to tattoo part time while I worked as a barista part time too. It wasn’t long until I was able to expand, grow my following and develop a style that people loved. and the style wasn’t as much as it is artistic more than it is an experience.

from the first email, text or DM you will get my genuine self. get a feel of what we will experience together. from joking around, going over our artistic journey together and a friendship that will last way beyond our time together at the studio. our studio offers a relaxing chill vibe as soon as you walk in. with all types of art on the wall, to the music and atmosphere. think a coffee shop meets a gallery meets a tattoo shop. being welcomed by all the other artist that make you feel welcome and safe. over all, the best expierece you’ll ever have in a tattoo shop

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

being able to make someone feel better. being able to make them smile and to give them exactly what they envisioned and hopefully an experience that they will never forget.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I want to be able to be a voice in my community. show other people that its possible to overcome our battles with mental illness, addictions and live the best version of you even if you feel the world looks and treats us differently.

Contact Info:

• Website: sadboy.studio
• Instagram: sadboyneedles
• Twitter: sadboyneedles

Image Credits
Orlando Pelagio