Check Out Robert Martinez’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Martinez

Hi Robert, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Started around 20 years ago. i have always loved art . Growing up Chicano , tattoos were a part of the culture. did street tattoos for a few years . I wanted to grow my tattooing and decided to get an apprenticeship . did that for about a year. my mentor really taught me a lot and my love for this grew. I took what he taught and showed me. through the years meeting other artists, and clients really showed me about being humble and respecting this job. getting to run my own shop is amazing and a lot of fun. and because of my great clients . I have been able to do what I love .

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
no smooth road at all. life struggles and getting ti the point ,were you can live doing this, have been a lot of work . you have to take the good with the bad and not give up . i had a stroke back in December of 23 . with the love and support of everyone I have been back at work . even when i was told it would be a lot longer to even think I could tattoo.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
i do a lot of different styles of tattoos. but i really like black and grey , and realism . being able to do piece that are a lot of fun and hearing everyones stories is fun. and what i am most proud of is making my family proud. my life wasn’t going in a very positive direction. but it really got ahold of me and showed me what life really is. happiness is not being in the fast life and slowing down to really take a deep breath. also being able to give back to the community is a great feeling.

What were you like growing up?
i was a wild kid who grew up to run around the streets. I gangbanged and did some bad things that got me in trouble. was really doing what I thought I needed to. didnt see that art was calling me the whole time . better late then never.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/bigrob4469
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.martinez.96742