We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stephanie Tamez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stephanie below.

Stephanie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I have participated in doing tattoo projects for breast cancer adornment . I have participated in doing cover ups for women who have been incarcerated by covering up their gang tattoos, sex trafficking tattoos . I have been doing trans people who have had top surgery scars by covering them up with tattoos.

Stephanie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was a graphic designer straight out of high school, worked for several ad agencies in Texas , San Antonio where I grew up. I worked in Television doing on air graphics. At the age of 25 I moved to San Francisco where I lived for 11 years being the art director and illustrator for Tower Records Castro street store Stones Town store. At the age of 30 I became a tattooer and started traveling around the world doing this craft. With the guidance of Filip Leu from Switzerland and Bill Salmon and Junii is SF I taught myself . In 2001 I moved to New York where I continued my tattoo career- 30 years of working in this life style I have been blessed to adorn so many people around the world. I co-owned Saved Tattoo in Williamsburg Brooklyn for 8 years with the original owner , Scott Campbell . I also taught a tattoo design course at The School Of Visual Arts ( SVA) for 4 years . I now co – own a shop in Greenpoint Brooklyn with my wife who is also a tattooer, Virginia Elwood and another artist Sophie Ce La Via along with our fellow artist Paddy Hannon – This Time TMRW is the name of the shop. Our brand I would say is comfort elegance with meticulous concentration on craftsmanship. We strive to bring original designs to our clients in a calm comfortable environment with a gorgeous view of NY from Brooklyn nestled in a large space with lots of plants.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My particular mission is to provide continues beautiful, original, thoughtful designs in every aspect I work In . From tattooing to paintings to graphic design I want to produce the kind of work that stops people in their tracks and makes them take the time to want to explore my work and engage with it .

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

I have worked since I was 16 years old , Ever since I discovered I could draw I have always made a career of doing that and supporting myself as an artist. From selling paintings, to designing logos to teaching myself to airbrush ,teaching myself to tattoo I always push myself to learn and grow as a person and as a creative artist. When COVID hit our landlord did us a disservice and forced us out, so I quickly had to find a new location and rebuild a whole new shop , which is now This Time Tmrw. Keep on keeping on is my general motto.

Contact Info:

• Website: Stephanietamezart.com
• Instagram: Stephanie Tamez
• Facebook: Stephanie Tamez
• Linkedin: Stephanie Tamez
• Other: @ this .Time Tmrw [email protected]

Image Credits
Stephanie Tamez Virginia Elwood Lauren Panepinto