Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Lopez
Hi Matthew, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started tattooing in 2013. I bought a tattoo kit off eBay. I started with grapefruit practice skin, then moved my way to actual skin. I did small tattoos for a long time till I got better at those, gradually working to larger tattoos. My preferred tattoo style has always been Japanese-inspired. I did almost every style of the sun, but Japanese was always the thing that I came back to. I now do large-scale neo-Japanese.
I worked at several shops for a few years, learning, meeting, and networking with other artists. Eventually, I linked up with Tony Trophey, and I’ve been at his shop, Thieves of Virtue, for the last year and a half. So, that’s been a great experience and I’ve learned a lot. I love tattooing. It’s brought me so much joy and honor.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. I was at a couple shops that didn’t work out got fired from one or two quit a few as well.. . I was always the youngest in the shop so I always had approved myself. I actually didn’t start painting until after I started tattooing, but now I wish sometimes I could get paid to paint instead of tattooing. It’s a lot slower and can work in my own pace whenever I want.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I do tattoos specialize in neo Japanese, I am known in San Antonio for doing neo Japanese in one of the only artists that really does the style that I do a large scale full sleeves backs. I also love doing black work mixed with Japanese so blackout sleeve with a dragon tattoo and only white stuff like that. I also draw on most of my designs on to my clients.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Personality wise well I have ADHD so that should say a lot. I like to talk to everybody like to entertain, little hyper growing up. drew all the time love doing all sorts of art also musician growing up so really any arts.
I’m also not want to take a lot of recognition for things for people just to see my tattoos rather than me. I think my work should speak for itself rather than my personality.
Pricing:
- My pricing is done by full or half-day rates. Everyone can email me to find out what that is.
Contact Info:
