We recently connected with Raphael Ortiz and have shared our conversation below.

Raphael, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Moving back to New York in 2010 with 40$ and a dream has pushed me more then I could ever dreamed of, looking back at it now i never would have imagined life being like this . I get to travel the world , make art and live my dream. Definitely didn’t come easy, countless work hours and sleepless nights. Navigating through the scene and ultimately finding the right spot for me was the most difficult of course. I spent so many years just working at different shops until I found a place where I could really become the artist I wanted to be. For me it’s more then just being a tattooer , I’m an artist

Raphael, 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?

Art has been a constant source of joy and inspiration from me throughout my entire life. Growing up in Phoenix, it was the west coast style that perked my interest. Then when I moved back to New York I found myself in the middle of a melting pot of all different types of art. Everywhere I looked there was something to inspire me.

I’ve been a tattoo artist since 2010, but my passion for painting began in 2018. Strains of pop art run through all of the art I create, whether that be collages, tattoos or paintings. While I have clearly drawn some influence from the greats of Pop Art—Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring—it was a silly kaleidoscope app that ended up igniting my latest obsession. I pointed my phone at a picture of SpongeBob, saw it become a kaleidoscope on the app and almost immediately I rushed to start painting it.

From there I moved to include all of the iconic cartoon characters I grew up with—Goofy, Garfield, Mickey Mouse, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Raphael, of course) and more.

Each morning I wake up and follow my artistic muse in whichever direction it’s pulling that day. Stick around to see what the future holds.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I’d have to say my goal is to not be categorized as a tattooer , as much as I love tattooing and it is where I’m able to support my lifestyle I want to be just an artist . An artist of many mediums , and medium I can get my hands on and enjoy . Helping other artists is also very big for me, we are artists and I think so many of us just get stuck in our fields and don’t feel so confident in trying to branch out , and I like to help people expand

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In a field of many trends I’ve never been that person. Since way before tattooing I’ve never just fell in line with trends, I’ve always been in my own lane . Same goes for tattooing, I’ve created my own style and ran with it. I don’t do this for the money, i do it to create what I love.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.inkstigator.net
• Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/inkstigator
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralph-ortiz-b37a8716b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app