We recently connected with Hugo Barrios and have shared our conversation below.

Hugo, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I am absolutely happy being a creative! This is something I’ve done since childhood. It started with crayola coloring and activity books. From that my parents noticed artist talent.
Art lessons and oil paints came next in my journey to being a full time craftsman.
I also worked regular jobs. From sandwich shop to pool plastering, corporates and gigs in between.
Although, now I tattoo and make commissioned art.

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?

My name is Hugo. I am at the moment a tattooer, and fly fishing guide with Lo Water Guide. My brand is Hugobaits, you can find it on YouTube. This brand encompasses everything fishing or fly fishing.
I live in Payson, Az half my time is spent outdoors guiding. The rest of my time I am crafting tattoos, or making commissions in forms of paintings on canvases. Digital art for logos some for clients as well for my own t shirt designs. You can find my portfolio online at www.instagram.com/elbrujotattooer
Www.YouTube.com/Hugobaits
For guided fishing trips contact
Www.lowaterguide.com request Hugo
I’m most proud of my wife and two wonderful children. They are what I treasure most! Without a doubt it’s my family.
The main thing I do is craft, and that changes with the task at hand. Some days it may be tying flies for a guide. Other days it might be crafting a tattoo for a client. Then dinner at home for my family.
So what ever the task is. I put 100% of who I am to successfully accomplish it.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Some time around 2008 there was a recession happening. This is the time of my career shift into being a creator.
I was working as an electrical engineer for a company in Phoenix.
I started in a lower level of the company and quickly learned the trade. Earned as many certifications that the company required. Moving me up in ranks.
At the end of that career, I was pretty ragged from working in that industry.
I was ready for something different. It was that that moment. I received a pink slip indicating I was laid off.
With that I was on my way to finding an apprenticeship, and becoming a tattooer.
With that shift came the different ways to stay creating and earn a living. It hasn’t only been tattooing.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

I’ve made a few NFTS independently the are still listed on open sea. At the time I discovered crypto, NFTs were very much a big part of it. I am vested in a few as well as coin which value has fluctuated up and down on both. I’m am currently only associated with the Highmonks. NFTs aren’t relevant like they used to be, and coins are still fluctuating. In the last year, the market has shifted and Nfts are not selling like they used to. I wouldn’t say the market is dead, but it’s definitely not producing I would advise people to invest their money in other places. So what I’ve been doing with the Nfts that I made.
They have now become T-shirt designs.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Elbrujotattooer
• Twitter: Elbrujotattooer
• Youtube: Hugobaits

Image Credits
All images taken by me from iPhone.