We recently connected with Axel Balmaceda and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Axel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I think starting 11 years ago helped me understand more and value the world of tattooing in a different way. Today, I don’t see it just as money or simply a job. Rather it is something special, since one gives a part of oneself in what we do. Although everything was complicated, that part is what made me a good artist today. Maybe if I had started later My path would have been easier and the process of adapting to the new digital platforms would be much simpler. with this, I feel that my path would have been different or simply my perspective on art would not be the same.
Throughout my career as an artist I went through ups and downs. Whether creative or emotional, I had a rather difficult start, resources were scarce and technology was not like what we have today in the tattoo world. When I started with this I was studying and I really just wanted to make some extra coins, honestly I don’t regret having started early. Rather, if I could, I would do it again and much earlier

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

my name is Axel Balmaceda, I’m from Santiago de Chile and I’m 32 years old. This tattooing started in 2014 11 years ago while studying at the university. I always drew and watched my parents draw in their free time, it was something we did together as a family quite often. Honestly, I was never interested in the world of tattooing and its environment, it was not a conventional career and much less something well seen in Chile or by my family
I introduced myself to the tattoo seeing it as an opportunity for extra money while I was studying, little by little I was internalizing more in this world and its artistic environment, beyond the prejudice that can be appreciated by this type of career. I found a real passion for this subject,
I am a very versatile tattoo artist since I do various styles such as anime, black and grey, full color watercolor, among others. But since I started, my true focus has been new school and full color, a style that encompasses various techniques and/or artistic disciplines.

I have participated in conventions in different regions, cities and countries, being worthy of first places, sponsors and recognition from my colleagues throughout my career, since my tattoos stand out for the solidity of their colors, really creative and different designs.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

If I think about it, I had to change my way of working about 6 years ago, because the style he was doing is not really popular, although it is a really complete style, it is difficult to introduce it or change people’s way of thinking about art. So I had to change my mindset and adapt my arctic vision to other styles. To give people a more varied product that is in line with what they want. This opened more doors for me and gave me new opportunities in my business.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think the most important aspect of being a creative artist is to capture the essence of what you want to express or what people want to do, it takes a lot of patience and passion to do what one does.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Axelbalmacedatattoo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/axetattoo