Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Robert Seize Antonio Berrios. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Robert Seize Antonio, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I’ve been drawing painting and opening up my creativity with musical instruments since the age 4. later started writing a lot poetry. I just always had a desire to create. I started noticing tattoos on on my older family members when I was around 8 years old and began to draw interest in drawing on my uncles and cousins with markers. When i was 10 Years old I was reading a book I found and in that book it taught how to make pick n poke tattoo needles using needle, thread and Black Higgins India ink which I later found a bottle of at the library. Needless to say I started at 10 years of age doing pick n poke tattoos on myself some family members and friends my age, which I did get into trouble for lol.
I received my first complete tattoo starter kit for my 12th birthday, Tattooing has always been in my heart and growing up it was always one of my favorite hobbies to pursue. Although I tattooed often I tattooed for the love the art and never thought to charge anyone or make it my professional career. In fact I was pursuing the medical field, going to college and Joined the military as a Navy Hospital corpsman. Sadly I gave up my medical career goals upon losing my wife to leukemia when I was 23 and started to seek out other options for a different career. After experimenting with other different industry type work. I found that nothing I tried felt natural or from the heart. Still in all this I was tattooing whenever possible when hanging out with friends etc. After being suggested I work out of a tattoo studio, I put a lot of thought into the idea and began apprenticing to become a tattoo artist and eventually worked full time at a tattoo shop. Its wasn’t until a few years later when I got a phone call one day by a good buddy of mine that I’ve tattooed plenty. He heard there was a tattoo shop in town up for sale turn key and he really thought it would be perfect for me. I loved the opportunity and put all my funds together and bought the shop (my first shop) turn key and never looked back. Ive been tattooing professionally now for 29 years.
Robert Seize Antonio, 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 believe what got me into the tattooing industry was a mix of several things. I always had a passion and need to express through arts in general. It is a way and form in communicating or translating what I imagine or feel from within bringing it out through music, song, dance, poetry, visual illustration such as drawings painting and tattoos. I started having a relationship with the idea of performing tattoo art on human canvases. realizing its no longer just a doodle or a piece of work that hangs on a wall. Tattoos become a permanent part of a persons appearance an open gallery of each persons expression. for some its a new look or body design, for others each of their tattoos represents a story, message, reminder, memorial for lost loved ones, the list goes on n on and everyone has their own purpose or reason for the designs they choose to have tattooed on them for life.
When coming to understanding the true impact of what a tattoo can do for the client I’ve become very caring and discipline. I learned to listen to my clients and getting to know what message or expression best can be translated into an illustration that’s not only says it all but compliments their appearance. Having patience is the key and listening, knowing what questions to ask to help build their own personal picture. taking the time and not rushing to create the image is important. Its not about the money and should not be rushed just to get to the next client or to make a quick buck. I recommend a consultation. What separates me from many other tattoo artist is simply not being about myself, My clients keep coming back to me because they are able to feel their tattoo quest is important, its very important my clients all feel very comfortable, relaxed and able to express themselves in order to create the perfect design for them and very important that the end results is all about them not me. What inspires me the most are my clients.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me the most rewarding aspects of being an a tattoo artist is knowing that what i do matters and how it inspires me to be a better listener, having more patience, opening my heart to understanding others heart. Learning to care for the whole person. I feel rewarded with every story im told, trusted with their expressing feelings related to the meaning or purpose of their tattoo. The many lives ive touched over the years and the life long friendships ive made with my clients is the best reward ever.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I think that what drives my creative journey the most has always been my mission to connect with the world, sharing positive energy, and being able to become a permanent part of everyone I perform my art on. I want my work to be my best and I want my clients to love their experience with me and to have the tattoos they will cherish the rest of their lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hillcountryartstattoo.com
- Instagram: Hillcountryartspiercingtattoos
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/HillCountryArts
- Yelp: Hill country arts Piercings and tattoos
