We recently connected with Josel Guzman and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Josel, thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Well, lol of course at first nothing is easy, but in my opinion what is needed to be able to achieve what the heart really dictates is desire, the desire to learn more every day, to perfect the necessary techniques to be able to execute a good art and be willing to learn everything. I have always thought that knowledge is power, the more you learn, you can teach your knowledge to the future. In the course of learning to tattoo, there were moments when I thought “what is this for” or “it seems illogical to me this technique of drawing the lines” without realizing that it is actually very important to learn the fundamentals and care for the best quality and experience for each client and also, that way things can arise in a better way. Something I did and in fact I still continue to do is that I offered my work at a price that was comfortable for customers, that way I filled my portfolio, which is very important to show my work to customers. Of course, despite the time as the work improves, it must be charged for the quality, but when I want to tattoo some design that I have in mind and I know it will be a good composition, I leave it at a ridiculously cheap price, in such a way I can attract customers who like the type of work I provide. But the work never ends. Nine months ago I moved to Texas from Pennsylvania, and believe me, the process has not been easy at all. There is a difference between having a good art and know who you are. I’m in that process now and I know it’s a matter of time for people to know about me, because of the commitment I give to my work and the desire to achieve it. Something I would change definitely is how to channel my frustration, because I feel there is a battle field always in my mind as a tattoo artists.

Josel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

How did I start? Sure! I would love to! About six years ago, I worked in a car battery and forklift factory, I simply did the work that my supervisors asked me to do and that’s it! But one day I was kicked out for doing the work that the supervisor asked me to do. At that moment I thought, I can make my life difficult or follow my dream of making art, something that has to do with it. I contacted the amazing family of 23 tattoo shop, where Omar taught me all his knowledge of the art of tattooing. At that time I worked in a Dollar General warehouse on the weekend shift, from Friday to Sunday at more than twelve hours a day, on my days off I was in the shop practicing and doing my learning to tattoo, when I made the decision to leave the warehouse work, I remember that I notified my supervisor, which did not like the idea, and she told me that tattoo work is not something that generates money constantly. I listened to my heart and left the warehouse job to follow my dream as a tattoo artist, which the day was just beginning. I would say that the first two years were the most difficult, due to the fact that the tattoo is something that cannot have room for error, since it is something permanent. There were people who didn’t want me to tattoo them, they even said it on my face, but I’m a head and tough person, since I’ve always liked to prove the opposite to people with echoes. I have always taken the example of the anime called Naruto. Everyone in his village hated him and was afraid of him, since inside he harbored a beast that attacked the village in the past, but none of that stopped Naruto to gain the trust and affection of his people of the village, but above all to become Hokage (aldermant) of his village. Even if it’s a fictional character, you can even learn from everything. There was a moment when I was too stressed, since I wanted to increase my clientele, and I said to myself: you can lie to yourself and tell yourself that you are the best, that customers are the ones who are wrong and think that you already know everything, or assume reality and be honest with yourself, see every detail that can be improved, know that every time you can do it better until you make a good art. Be as honest as possible with yourself. Take it seriously, but above all enjoy it to the fullest. Another thing I have experienced recently is that you need discipline in what you want to achieve. I can say that discipline is one of the most necessary things to be good at what you do. Recently when I moved to Texas I decided to change things about me that were not good for the business, and believe me that they bear better fruit.

My work style I would say is surreal and illustrative, in fact apart from Omar in 23 I have been taught by several artists, such as my friend Claudio Valenzuela, which the man provides a unique art that I loved, and this man was able to make the decision to stay with his knowledge, but we simply formed a friendship and he taught me. But in reality I’m always in the learning mode, you always learn, I also learned from Mike Arts, Lefty, Angel (Flaco), Markos, Emilio, Emersyn, everyone from the shop I currently working, TNT TATTOO CO in Haltom City.

In addition to my style, I can say that I do many cover ups, but I have to be honest, not all tattoos can be covered, and those that do, have to be covered with something specific so that the final result looks like a normal tattoo and not a cover up. I would say that the greatest satisfaction is to see the happiness that my customers capture on their faces when they see the final result, for me there is no price for that. Make that in one way or another I can provide that trust and security to them, I repeat, there is no price for it. I think that’s one of the things I’m the most proud of.

What I want to let the potential clients know is that first, check my portfolio in my Instagram joselguzman_tattoo, and if you like my artwork the way you could contact me is through my Gmail: [email protected] Let’s create a crazy unforgettable idea, that will last a lifetime that you will not regret it, let’s make a good quality tattoo artwork!!!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

In fact, one of my goals currently is to collaborate with many artists, in this tattoo industry there are many talents, that really we could learn from everyone! Different styles and techniques that are amazing. In my opinion that way I could bring colleagues together as a family and enjoy this wonderful world of tattooing.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, one the most rewarding thing about my job, is my client’s face of gratitude and happiness when they see the work done! There’s no price for it!

Also another rewarding thing is the knowledge that I learn from so many artists, that I’m so grateful for.

The last one probably the joy of making an art!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/joselguzman_tattoo?igsh=MXFydG44dGtkbmF2ZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Instagram: joselguzman_tattoo
• Facebook: Josel Guzman

Image Credits
Emersyn (gloomkvlt)