We were lucky to catch up with Ivan Paz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ivan , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you ever had an amazing boss? What did you learn from them? Maybe you can share a story that illustrates the kind of boss they were or maybe you can share your thoughts on what you think made them an awesome person to work for?

The most impactful boss/mentor/friend I’ve ever had the opportunity of experiencing was Maxine Keyes. She was the former shop owner of Sunnyside Tattoo and who hired me at the shop I would eventually own. She was a great tattooer loved by her clients and always growing as an artist, as a business owner she was driven and tough as nails. After working under her for several years Maxine would eventually hand Sunnyside Tattoo down to me as the new owner. She trusted in my abilities as a tattooer and who I was as a person to take the reigns. Unfortunately last year Maxine passed from cancer and she continues to be a driving force behind all of our work And connections here at Sunnyside Tattoo.

Ivan , 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’m Ivan Paz, a 32-year-old tattoo shop owner, artist, father, and New Yorker. As far back as I can remember, every piece of paper, canvas, or any available surface was covered with some kind of drawing. Whether it was a simple doodle or something more detailed, I’ve always been drawn to putting my ideas down in one form or another. When i was younger my passion for sketching superheroes, monsters, the toys I played with, and the anime I watched eventually led me to working as a shop hand at my older cousin’s tattoo shop in Brooklyn.

This experience ultimately paved the way for my apprenticeship when I was 17 or 18. After two years of studying the craft, sterile tattooing, and working with clients in a safe, clean environment, I started tattooing. After several years and many lessons, I now work at and own Sunnyside Tattoo, specializing in American, Neo and Japanese traditional tattoos. I take pride in creating art custom for each individual and offering a welcoming space where everyone, regardless of background, can express themselves through the art they adorn their skin with.

Have you ever had to pivot?

During the pandemic, many artists and self-employed individuals had to find new ways to stay afloat. For tattoo shops, it meant mandatory closures. On March 21st, 2021, I had to close my doors and hope for the best, unsure when we’d be able to reopen. In the meantime, I dove into creating more tattoo flash, art prints, and custom designs for anyone who wanted to commission work.

During this time, I gained a deeper sense of where I stood as a neighborhood street shop owner, thanks to the support of past clients and friends. Many reached out to book future tattoos, even though no one knew when it would be possible. It was an uncertain time, but the hope of reopening kept us all going.

Finally, on July 9th, three months after closing, we were able to reopen. There was a renewed excitement and appreciation for the work we do, and for the time spent with those we care about and the things we had previously taken for granted.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I’ve found that I connect the most with people when I just keep creating—whether it’s a personal concept or a well-known subject that I put my own spin on. There’s a reason behind it, but I’ve learned that it doesn’t always have to be super intentional to resonate with someone. Tattoos can have deep meaning, of course, but sometimes they just speak to you because you love the composition or you want a badass tattoo, plain and simple.

For me, the best way to find new tattoo ideas and connect with clients is to mix what I love with what I know others enjoy. If I can find that balance, I’m serving both myself and others at the same time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Sunnysidetattoo.com
• Instagram: @Ivanpazart @sunnysidetattoo
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sunnyside-tattoo-sunnyside-2
• Other: Tik Tok : @Ivanpazart