LUNA LUCERO

I was born in 1995 on southern Vancouver Island and raised by two artist parents; I was encouraged to draw from a very young age. I left high school at the age of 14 and left home to focus on my art, self-taught. I have wanted to be a painter since I can remember; by the age of 16, I was able to pay my way in the world, working full-time as a commission-based realist oil painter. I spent some years abroad, living in Spain, Switzerland, and England, before I came home to Canada and learned to tattoo at the age of 22, I’ve been home on Vancouver island ever since ⸺ Who or where do you get your inspiration from? This changes year to year, but at the moment, I’m inspired by many tattooers and painters of so many different styles, such as Claudia de Sabe, Valerie Vargas, Chuco Moreno, Frank Ball Jr., and Gordon combs ⸺ What would you say is your favorite part of the job? Of course, making the tattoo, but I am very fortunate to have the most amazing loyal client base here that trusts me with not only doing my thing on them permanently but also with their secrets and stories; I love the connections with my clients ⸺ What was it that initially sparked your interest in tattooing? I got my first tattoos when I was 16, the guy who did them for me tattooed my own designs I had brought in, and he said I should consider getting into it, of course at that age, I was super shy and definitely didn’t think I was cool enough to do a job like this. But I started trying anyway by drawing more tattoo-able designs and starting to look for an apprenticeship, walking into shops with my portfolio, and hanging around tattoo shops ⸺ What do you think is in store for the future of tattooing? I’m not sure I’d like to know, haha. I acknowledge I’m part of the problem as a younger-generation tattooer, but I definitely thought tattooing was something else before I got into it. I try not to get too disenchanted by the fact that tattooing isn’t really about being an outlaw at all, haha. ✕

I’m from Atlanta, GA, and have been in the USAF since 2004. I started tattooing in 2007. I am a father, husband, and combat veteran.

Who or where do you get your inspiration from? History of tattooing, tattoo artists that came way before my time, almost keeping a tradition alive through art.

What advice would you give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo? (A tattoo virgin) Stick with tattoo styles that stand the test of time; my granddad had an American traditional tattoo that was 60 years old; it would still be a good tattoo today; bold will hold.

What did your family and friends think about you getting into the tattoo business? That it was just a thing I would try and get bored with.

What would you say is your favorite part of the job? Line work.

What was it that initially sparked your interest in tattooing?

How people feel after they get their tattoos is almost like surgery for some people; they just feel joy when they’re done or if it was a memorial piece, it brings them some peace in a way.

Was it hard getting an apprenticeship?

How was yours?

Yes, drawing till I was sick of it, then drawing more, cleaning the shop, washing cars, kind of like karate kid.