We recently connected with Zack Lucero and have shared our conversation below.
Zack, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
I took a risk getting in the tattoo industry. It is a cutthroat world, with alot of things to learn, and still learning. Going from college, with a degree towards something unrelated and having a job that was steady income. I took a leap of faith pursuing my passion. I had done an apprenticeship and paid my dues, but I was still a novice and growing. When I finally reached a point where I built my clientele, my quality, and my income level. I jumped ship from what was my steady secure life, burning the bridge to not have a fall back plan. I worked 7 days a week 12 hours a day, and continued pushing myself and it paid off. Continuing on, I took my next big risk of opening my own tattoo studio, invested all I had saved and earned. This risk was even scarier, because all that I worked for I poured into my shop, in hopes my shop would flourish and create a stable life for myself. There has been ups and downs and the first year was hard, but the risk paid off. I now have a great studio, with awesome co-workers and fairly stable income. Our shop is well known in the community of artist and our local community. I have achieved awards for my work, and got the opportunity to travel. I get to do what I’m passionate about everyday and be my own boss. It’s a great feeling to come as far as I have. I think risks are worth taking, if we live to comfortably we will never take steps into unknown territory, and undiscovered areas of one’s life is scary, but you’ll never achieve higher levels of your dream, or passion unless you dive in and don’t look back for something to catch you. Sink or swim, there’s no option to fail
Zack, 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 got into the industry from music and skateboarding, loved the community and lifestyle of it all. Seemed to all mesh and was the lavish outlander life for those who didn’t fit societal norm. It was my type of crowd. At a young age, middle school. I would draw alot on myself and paint and create works of art. In class one day I had a girl try to be snotty being I was drawing on myself. She told me ” why don’t you tattoo it! It will last longer.” She said this to me in a negative manner, however it got me thinking. The girl was right, I could tattoo it! So, I began learning and found a studio that took me in at 16 to learn,( illegaly) as I needed to be 18. But whatever! I began learning through my apprenticeship, after leaving from it I began tattooing regularly. I still worked 9 to 5 jobs and went to college. I had 3 jobs at the time while pursuing my dream. During this I began focusing on what style of tattoos I wanted to do and practiced my craft till I understood it comfortably. I focused on neotraditional, black and grey realism. It was not easy and I still continue to learn. During this time I had my daughter. I had to change my schedule up as I took care of her during the week until 7pm then I would work overnight at my job, weekends I worked another job from 6am till noon then go to the tattoo shop to work from 1pm till 10pm. It was long hours, but I am proud of it, the sacrifice made to achieve my dreams and spend many moments with my kid was worth it. I like creating memorable pieces for my clients, whether art collecting or some peace and closure to commemorate someone or sometime in their life. What separates me from others, I care about the quality of my work I put out. I care about my clients and what’s going on in their life. We create that bond of friendship with each design, as these designs are forever, and the level of comfort for someone to allow you to alter their image. To open up and tell you their issues, or feelings that you then get to make into a story of art. It’s fascinating and honoring. Money helps. But isn’t everything. I don’t look to get rich, I just want to provide to my family, but I also wanna be fair and put out quality work people can afford. My focus is on the art not the money. Long after I’m gone my money won’t take me anywhere, however my art will love on and the change I can impact and make for others is what I strive for.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me the most rewarding aspect it to have the time to be with my family and live life for what life can give. Getting to travel with my work is awesome as well as doing what I am passionate about, but having the balance between art and family and sometimes combined is the best and most rewarding aspect.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I built my audience and social media presence by constantly canvassing people. Reaching out , posting all the time and hoping I caught on the the algorithms on these platforms. I created a page of my work, and a community for myself. I also will give thanks to my girl. As she created a website and bigger presence with her knowledge and skills. Think important for those starting is to communicate and be responsive, as well as honest and understanding with people. Create posts, reach out, go and socialize and don’t be scared of the unknown.
Contact Info:
- Website: Wickedhearttattoo.com
- Instagram: Wickedhearttattoo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucy.gore.3954?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Other: Tiktok wickedhearted666