Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Zach Mathews. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Zach, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

One of the biggest challenges in my career has been learning how to handle public scrutiny. The more visible your work becomes, the more likely it is that someone will have a negative opinion. With tattooing now being widely shared online, more people than ever are viewing and commenting on our work and not all of that feedback is constructive. At times, criticism can be unnecessarily cruel, even when the work itself is strong, or when the disagreement simply comes down to personal taste.

Early in my career, I experienced this firsthand when I was publicly called out for a tattoo that I did not execute to the standard I hold myself to. I knew I could have done better that day, and that moment became my first experience with public criticism of my work. I realized I couldn’t control how others responded online, but I could control how I improved moving forward. The only real way to reduce the chances of that happening again was to become a better tattooer.

I’ll never forget how that experience made me feel, and it continues to motivate me to improve every day. A few years later, I reconnected with the client and corrected the tattoo at no cost. She hadn’t been aware of the online criticism and didn’t dislike the tattoo, but now she has a piece she’s truly proud of. That experience reinforced my belief in accountability, growth, and always doing right by my clients.

Zach, 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?

I entered the tattoo industry after leaving a job I had held for nearly a decade. During the three-hour drive home on my last day, I called a friend who was in the process of opening his own tattoo shop and asked about starting an apprenticeship. My path wasn’t a traditional one. While most apprenticeships last at least a year, mine lasted roughly two months, which meant learning quickly through real-world experience and, at times, trial and error with actual clients. It was a challenging path, but one that pushed me to grow rapidly.

What I love most about tattooing is bringing a client’s vision to life, especially when they come in feeling stuck or unsure because they can’t find “the perfect design.” I believe a strong tattoo starts with a concept, not a copied image. My role as an artist is to take an idea and create something original that fits the body properly and stands the test of time.

I take a lot of pride in my customer service and strive to make every client feel comfortable from the first conversation, through the tattoo session, and all the way through the healing process. I believe my patience and people skills are a big part of why I’ve built a loyal client base, with many clients returning to me year after year. My goal is that when someone works with me for the first time, they don’t just leave with a tattoo, they leave with an artist they trust for life, and ideally, a new friend as well.

I also want potential clients to know that no project is too small or too simple. I love tattooing in all its forms, and I approach every piece with the same level of care and enthusiasm.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I understand that times are tough, and in a challenging economy, money often has to go toward necessities. When you’re focused on paying bills, keeping vehicles running, or maintaining a home, spending money on art or tattoos isn’t always possible, and I truly respect that.

What many people don’t realize, though, is that there are meaningful ways to support artist friends that don’t cost anything. Social media is how most artists share their work, and it’s driven by algorithms. Liking a post, sharing it, taking a few extra seconds to watch a video all the way through, or leaving a thoughtful comment can make a real difference. Even tagging a friend, recommending an artist, or encouraging someone to follow their page helps more than people realize.

The more engagement an artist receives, the more visibility their work has, and that increased reach directly impacts their ability to book tattoos or sell art. Personally, seeing engagement and receiving feedback has always motivated me far more than putting dozens of hours into a piece that never gets seen. Support and interaction push artists to create more, refine their craft, and keep showing up.

Your participation truly matters, it’s what keeps the creative community moving forward.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When I first started tattooing, the focus was heavily on efficiency and profit. Bring the client in, create the design, apply the tattoo, and move on to the next appointment as quickly as possible. While that approach may work for some, I eventually realized it wasn’t right for me. Tattooing is how I make a living, but my priority has always been the art and, more importantly, the people behind it.

A tattoo may not mean much to a casual viewer, but to the person wearing it, it can represent something deeply personal. It might symbolize overcoming a life struggle, marking a meaningful milestone, or honoring the memory of a loved one. My perspective truly shifted the first time I watched a client become emotional after receiving a tattoo in memory of their deceased child. As I stood there sharing that moment with them, it became clear that what I was doing was far greater than a paycheck.

That experience taught me that tattooing is an act of trust and responsibility. While my art and personality can be lighthearted at times, I take very seriously the fact that people are trusting me to permanently alter their bodies. That awareness continues to guide how I work, how I treat my clients, and how I approach every piece I create.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exzachary99/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zachmathewstattoos/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/third-eye-gallery-dallas