KEAKS HURTADO

Hello! My name is Enrique, but you can call me Keaks! I’m new to the dad life and also newer to the tattoo game. I had my apprenticeship 11 years ago but went towards another route in a 9 to 5 in the oil industry. Almost 3 years ago, I decided to give it another go at being a professional tattoo artist, for it’s what I’ve always dreamed of. It is like I was given a second chance at life but for living my dream, and I am going to give it my all, and I will not let it go again. This is my passion; if I win the lottery jackpot today, I’ll still be a tattoo artist tomorrow. What did your family and friends think about you getting into the tattoo business? My family did not like the idea of me becoming a tattoo artist, mainly I think because, in their eyes, it was not a “secure” income. But what is? 800 people got laid off from the oil refinery I used to work in, and it was supposedly secure. If nothing is secure, I’d rather do something I truly love.

What would you say is your favorite part of the job? I love a lot of things. I love the art, meeting people, and I love the result where clients walk away with a big smile. It’s truly satisfying to watch clients’ reactions when they love something I created.

What was it that initially sparked your interest in tattooing? Art. I have always wanted to be an artist and be able to make a living out of it. The way I look at it, people back then used to sit in front of an artist for hours and get their portrait painted on a canvas; nowadays, people sit in front of us for hours, and they are the canvas.

Was it hard getting an apprenticeship?

How was yours? It was tough. I was bugging every shop around, and one finally saw the fire in my eye, or I bugged him enough. Shout out to Shelby Lozano! K.C.T

What do you think is in store for the future of tattooing?

Not really sure, but I think we’ve only scratched the surface. Now it’s become more mainstream, and a lot of different industries are interested in tattoos. ✕