We recently connected with Mike Patriarca and have shared our conversation below.

Mike, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Once I was able to get my footing as a tattoo artist, making money didn’t come easy. Theres a saturation of tattooers in southern California. I did a lot of free and a lot of discounted tattoos to get as much experience under my belt. I sometimes took on more than I should have and stepped out of my comfort zone in order to make some money. I learned a ton in that process, I learned my limits, my strengths and weaknesses. I also learned how to say no, and it taught me a valuable lesson. Taking on different projects, doing different style of tattooing helped me become more well rounded.

I was taught traditional tattooing by my mentor, but I seeked out and taught myself fineline tattooing. Fineline was always the specific style I wanted to do, I had to learn it on my own, im in no way a master of it, but I am proud of my progress in that style.

Mike, 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 moved from Los Angeles to Orange County when I was in 4th grade. I was bullied for a few years, I didn’t have any friends so I spent my lunch and recess drawing weird abstract stuff, just to kill time and occupy myself. Fast forward a few years in high school once I found my group of friends, we started going to punk and hardcore shows. I saw tattoos everywhere and was enamored by them. My high school art teacher had a Juxtapose art magazine that featured tattooers, he let me look at it and I was so fascinated and the obsession began. I turned 18 and got my first tattoo, I kept going back and eventually found I could buy my own equipment from the back of a tattoo magazine, I began tattooing all my friend’s and myself and it was just not good, I knew getting an apprenticeship was the move but I was 18 and didn’t wanna work for free (I wish I did though haha)

I tattooed here and there for a few years until I stopped and got over it. It wasn’t til I was 23 years old did I fully commited and got a real apprenticeship (best decision ever)

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Honestly getting tattooed is the best form of support, but a like a follow, a share on social media is very easy and costs nothing, also word of mouth and telling friends and family is great as well.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Permanently changing someone’s exterior is awesome. Ive had so many clients tell me how confident and happy they are that they got a tattoo. Sometimes people get really meaningful and deep tattoos. Sometimes people get spur-the-moment things. Regardless tattoos make people feel good (even if it doesn’t feel good to get done haha)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mikepatriarcatattoo.com
• Instagram: mikepatriarcatattoo
• Other: [email protected]