Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Juan Solis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Juan , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My mission is to bring inspiration and innovation to your vision. I want to expand the human experience through my knowledge in creating. Collaborating with clients allows new insight into new perspectives each time. Solis Cruz tattoos is an independent studio providing the highest quality work with an incomparable experience.

I want to share the knowledge I have accumulated throughout my journey in art. Originally, I was trained in realism and the strict foundation of mark-making. These skills have continued to serve me in each drawing, painting, tattoo, mural, or sculptor. My mission is to inspire an everlasting impression with my art.

Juan , 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?

My name is Juan G. Solis Cruz. I am a Mexican American born and raised in Highland Park, Los Angeles. I come from a large family that provides me with all the context one human could ask for. Growing up I witnessed the beauty and decay of urban life inside and outside my household. Traditional mexican folk art, catholic imagery, murals, graffiti, and tattoos and my family’s creative energy continues to light my path. Seeing the failures of family and friends drove me to seek my full potential in the gift creator granted me. I was in need of adventure to live out my vision. I began taking art classes at night at the local community college while in high school. This experience allowed to dream big! I hit the road soon after to receive my BFA from San Francisco Art Institute in San Francisco, CA and MFA from the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, OR. These years have shaped my perspective of the world while perfecting my creative abilities. I will forever be grateful to each person who supported my vision.

I was a child when I first witnessed the tattoo process unfold. The old man was well known and had hundreds of past tattoo photos covering the walls of his place. I was mesmerized. He had my big brother sit down in a chair. Pulled out a pen and began to draw each letter out one by one. By the end my big brother had Solis tattooed in capital old english letters across his back. A traditional tattoo for Mexican Americans honoring their family. I can still remember the smoke drifting away with each puff into the sky as he tattooed into the early morning. It seemed like magic! From then on I knew I would tattoo one day. That day came when I was sixteen years old. I began to tattoo family and friends every chance I had. This is truly the start of Solis Cruz Tattoos.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn was all the rules of art in academia. I came from a strict traditional western educational art background. There was little time and no space for expression. The object or human on my canvas had to reflect what was in front of me. Learning these rules was a challenge! However, unlearning them has been a continual process. Picasso once said, “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My whole life journey through the art world illustrates my resilience. Being a first generation Mexican American pursuing a BFA in art was an amazing obstacle I will forever cherish. Pursuing my MFA was a massive hurdle for me as an individual. Self discovery while following my passion has been the best decision of my life. Seeing beyond cultural and economical norms allowed me to accomplish all that I have. I realized most creatives lose hope to be full time working artists because of these restraints. Tattooing provides working with people from countless backgrounds, doing what I love, and sharing all that I know through art. My life experience illustrates my resilience to being the best artist I can be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://soliscruzstudio.com
• Instagram: soliscruz.tattoos
• Other: https://soliscruz.studio