When Were You Born:
When You Started Tattooing:
Around '87, I did my first one with India ink and a sewing needle in my grandmas house at 14 years old. (Not a recommended course of action)
How You Became Interested in Tattooing:
I used to be a skateboarder, so looking a mags made me want some tattoos like my skate heroes of that time. The only problem was that there wasn't any tattoo artist here in Costa Rica so I did it myself, then I became one of the first tattooers of my country.
Favorite Style/Genre of Tattooing:
I love doing color, black and grey, realistic - but my favorite is really oriental style tattoos.
Tattoo Artists You Are Inspired By:
My influence change every month, but I'll be always thankful to Tony Morrell (Jinx Proof Tattoos, D.C.).
Secular Artists You Are Inspired By:
My good friend Carlos Barberena (carlosbarberena.com) who has really taught me a lot along the way.
Other Hobbies/Interests:
I love playing foosball, but my hand doesn't let me do it any more. Now riding my bike and being with my girls is really fun.
Where Your Shop Is and How to Contact You:
Tattoo 506
calle 11 avenida 10 #870
San Jose, Costa rica
www.tattoo506.com
Phone: (506) 257 1 506
Email: tattoo506@hotmail.com
Personal Thoughts:
Right now I'm really a happy person - work is great, my people too. I just got back from California where I attended a couple of conventions that opened my eyes for what's new in our world. I got some new work from Yutaro Sakai (Primal Urge) where I learned some new tricks, and did some great work at Tatt Magic Tattoo with Adriel Leddy in Fairfield, so everything is cool and I'm planning to make it better.
Additional Questions and Information about Tattoos in Costa Rica:
How many tattoo shops are in Costa Rica now? Do you have much
competition now?
Right now there are so many shops for the size of Costa Rica, I can’t tell you how many but you can find one everywhere you go - the mall, the beach, you name it.
Competition - I don’t think so. What I do just comes out from my shop; you can’t get the same quality around.
How popular are tattoos in Costa Rica? Are there a lot of people wearing them?
Here they are so popular, like any big city of the world. Everyone seems to have one - you can see full sleeves really easy and people in general accept it very well - not like the rest of central America where they've got all the gang problems that we don’t.
What are the laws in CR in regards to sanitation? Can you describe your own personal sanitation rituals? Are they the same as here in the US?
We have more strict laws for tattooing around here, central America, and maybe better than some countries of south America but sadly, it is a third world you know - some people pay some money to the inspector and get their license. I worked in person with the health department doing that law, to open a shop you need first aid, blood born pathogen, CPR courses, an autoclave of course, you know basically the same as in the states, as well as a business license, paying taxes and everything, but I can’t speak for the other shops; there are some “tattooists” that don’t have a clue of what they're doing, but they are in a shop anyway.
If someone were traveling to Costa Rica for vacation, would it be safe for them to get a tattoo there from someone other than you?
There’s a few other shop that maybe don't have the best artists in the world but you can get a safe tattoo, but I can count them with one hand; so I guess you have to do some research like everywhere else to get a nice safe tattoo. I’ll help anyone to point them to the right direction if we’re too busy.
