PABLO FRIAS

foundation of his current style: Realism. In 2021 his colleagues Darwin Enriquez and Zhimpa Moreno invited him to be a resident artist at Inknation Tattoo Studio.

Have you ever had a bad tattooing experience, and what was it? One time a client left without paying; that was back when I was starting to tattoo, hahaha.

What is the most important advice you can give someone new to the art of tattooing? To draw a lot is, in my opinion, the foundation. To start an apprenticeship in a local studio with an artist they admire. And to work hard and give their 100% all the time, as if it was the last tattoo they would make.

Do your clients give you artistic freedom? Most of my clients do; I think that this is most important for the artist to have a client that gives you the confidence to let you do what you do.

Do you accept designs that are far different from what you do? I think it is very important to specialize in a certain type of tattoo. For example, I can not make mandalas, it is something that I am not specialized in, and I would not be able to do it well.

How hard is it to maintain or keep your creativity on a high level? Frustration is something that constantly comes when you work on a new design; there is always a moment in which it is very hard to find the correct flow. You have to be patient and perseverant on it, try to give your best, and don’t get yourself down. Stay always positive. ✕

I specialize in animal and character portraits, mostly in black and grey or color realism. I add Neo-traditional and American-traditional elements to my designs, as well as scenery and floral pieces. Being creative was something that was just a natural instinct for me at a young age. I fell in love with the creative process and challenges of becoming a tattoo artist. That journey has given me a multitude of possibilities as well as the freedom to be my true self and help others heal and express themselves through my art ⸺ Who or where do you get your inspiration from? For as long as I can remember, I’ve been encouraged to draw, but my grandma was a huge inspiration. On every visit with her, I would end up painting, drawing, sewing, or making some sort of craft project. I would always gaze at my grandma’s paintings in fascination with their beauty and skill. To this day, I still admire my grandmother’s work, and I thank her every day for motivating me in my journey with art ⸺ What did your family and friends think about you getting into the tattoo business? They were a little hesitant at first, but seeing how passionate I am and how hard I worked to get where I am in my career, they all support me as much as they can. My father and grandmother even got their first tattoos from me ⸺ What would you say is your favorite part of the job? Being a part of the creative community and being able to help and support people going through hardships. I’ve always loved working with people with mental health and confidence issues since tattoos have given me so much more confidence in myself. I love how creative I get to be every day in my job and how delighted my clients are with each part of the process. Forming relationships with my clients and listening to the stories they tell during our sessions is always so delightful ⸺ Was it hard getting an apprenticeship? How was yours? My whole apprenticeship process was pretty hectic. I worked hundreds of hours at the shop, drawing, helping other artists, and gaining experience. It was a pretty rocky journey, but it makes me appreciate my career so much more today ⸺ What is the most important advice you can give someone new to the art of tattooing? Practice drawing and designing in different styles with different mediums. Get tattooed and watch the process. Talk to the artists you look up to and have a style you want to achieve, and take advice and constructive criticism. Tattooing takes tons of hard work and patience, but it’s so rewarding in the end. ✕

Started my apprenticeship in the mid-’90s at Absolute Tattooing in Menominee Falls, WI. Begged Scott Freidrich for 2 years to let me tattoo. Finally getting the chance I lasted maybe 6 months and he shipped me to another city to work by myself. Blessing in disguise, I had to push myself harder because I had no one to fall back on. Three years later feeling like I wasn’t progressing I started traveling and working at as many shops as I could. Picking brains and constantly drawing. Long story short, I ended up working for my friend Jesse Santoro whom I started with years ago. Been 9 years of doing everything and anything. I love doing black and grey and large Japanese work, but it’s not always in the cards. Have to make the customer happy yeah know.

Who or where do you get your inspiration from? I have a wide variety of inspirations and respect for many artists, but my favorites have always been Filip Leu and Robert Hernandez. They are always pushing the envelope in tattooing and painting.

What advice would you give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo? (A tattoo virgin) You should do your homework; just because someone is popular doesn’t make them good. See healed pics or in person, and make sure lines are clean and color or shading is smooth.

28 Years

Tattooing

Port Washington, WI Location

Independent Artist

Black and grey

Large-scale color Specialty

@peter_kugel Instagram black7tattoo @gmail.com tattoosbypete .com

What was it that initially sparked your interest in tattooing?

Working in a factory for 7 years, I used to see some cool work and always wanted one. Tattooing was different back then, with many secrets and much harder to get into. Just made me want it more.

Was it hard getting an apprenticeship? How was yours? I begged for over 2 years to get an apprenticeship. There were only a few tattoo shops back then, and you had to gain their trust. My apprenticeship was sink or swim; I did maybe 15 tattoos and started doing walk-ins on the weekends. Not the ideal apprenticeship, but I worked hard and picked a lot of brains. Draw, draw, draw!

What is the most important advice you can give someone new to the art of tattooing? Work hard, draw, and take in as much art as you can, not just tattooing. Get as many tattoos by an artist as you like so you can learn. Watch, ask questions, draw, and did I say draw? ✕