We recently connected with Edwin Lopez and have shared our conversation below.
Edwin , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
A great risk I have taken is deciding to quit my tattoo apprentice ship. If I had not quit I would have been guaranteed a secure place to work a consistent clientele base from walk ins and a secure income. Also guaranteed Tattooing with tattoo artist who could guide me, teach me and help me through the whole process. During my apprenticeship I worked with my family in my familys painting company. I not only did labor but I also did all the meetings and painting estimates while being an apprentice full time. I had been working in the painting company for some time and was used to making and creating my own schedule. I knew if I stayed at the tattoo shop I would have a set schedule and didn’t like the idea of not biegn able to control my time. half way through I decided I would quit, save up money, and invest in everything I needed for a private tattoo studio. It took me a year to save up the capitol. I did it. I got all my tattoo equipment got the space, did the build out nothing crazy re painted the walls, installed a sink, got a desk the was the exact measurements I needed, and all the other things to make it a professional tattoo setting. I hung all my art and art of fellow artist and friends who’s art I also enjoyed. That is how Citrus Studio was created. Citrus Studio is now closed. I have started working at another private tattoo studio. Rivals Studio is where I currently create at. I am very proud to join the team of great artist and creatives. Citrus Studio has now become a lifestyle brand called CITRUS
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
im 25 years old I am a artist, tattoo artist and creative. I started doing art from a very young age. I attended vavpa ( vista academy of visual and performing arts) this was a k-8 school. Visual and performing arts were a focus in this school. I remember taking all types of classes like art; drama; ceramics; music class ;video class, I took a mural painting class at one point swell. this was my introduction to art. eight grade was when I realized I really loved painting and drawing. in high school I started thinking about my future. I realized I wanted to do something that had to do with art. I decided too become a tattoo artist and started tattooing my friends out of a back room at my house. I am currently still a tattoo artist working at rivals studio in San Marcos. I sell my art paintings. I designs logos for brands. I am also a photographer. I am also a part of a brand called citrus. I am also a painter by trade. I paint interior and exterior residencial and commercial properties. I have always been in the service industry and I try very hard to serve any and all my clients and people in general to the best of my ability. the thing that sets me apart from others is always my attention to detail and I feel a duty to always do more. I am most proud of being a dad and a provider. I am very proud to have responsibility and duty. the main thing I want my people to know about me is that I believe in god and being a positive force to the world. If you are not a positive force then by default you are a negative force. This view goes into everything I am apart of I do not wish to be negative or push any negativity. I also believe that the world is in need of leaders. I believe that it is all of our duty to change and continuously better ourselves.I also believe that we must effect and change the minds of our youth. I believe there is an agenda being pushed on our youth to not be the best they can be.
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
I think the idea of an art piece that is on the internet and will be on the block chain forever is exciting. Also the fact that it can be verified unlike a physical painting. I am glad that NFTs crashed because I believe it has given it more validity once they come back there were to many trash projects on there anyways
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Yes one resource is self belief and trusting your instincts and intuition. also using your network and beign resourceful with what you have now
Contact Info:
- Website: citrusstudio.bigcartel.com
- Instagram: zzpanzer_
- Twitter: @citrusblock
Image Credits
instagram: @maddruckus