Today we’d like to introduce you to Soyla Santos.
Hi Soyla, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been the weird, art kid spending most of my time drawing and reading. My Dad was in the army, so my family moved around a lot. Luckily, I had some great art teachers that saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. Their encouragement and tutelage helped me see myself as an artist. I put myself through college and earned a BFA – Bachelors of Fine Arts in Painting and an MFA – Masters of Fine Arts in Intermedia while raising my daughter. I worked full time at the University of Texas in Arlington for about 17 years, in various positions, and I have been an adjunct professor for around 11 years teaching art appreciation and 2D design. Being able to teach art and art history at the college level was a goal that I worked hard to achieve. I joined the Vato Loco Tattoo Studio crew in June 2021 after my daughter graduated from high school. It’s been an opportunity to fulfill a dream I’ve had for many years. I met my mentor, Javier Arredondo, aka Big Dawg, a few years ago at an art festival and he had been my go-to tattoo artist since. Making this career change at 40 was scary, but I’ve received nothing but support from friends, family, the community, and the Vato Loco Tattoo Studio crew. I’ve had people come from Louisiana, Oklahoma, and West Texas just to get tattoos from me. I enjoy tattooing images that reflect my love of science and natural history, especially, dinosaurs. I love what I do, and feel like I have the best job ever. This weird, art kid is finally happy.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I look back at my life, I often think of Langston Hughes’ poem Mother to Son. The line, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair…” is a statement that I’ve shared with my daughter as I did my best to prepare her for adulthood. I’ve persevered through some very traumatic experiences over the years. With a lot of support and therapy, I’m proud to say that I’ve maintained sobriety for nearly 2 years now.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m primarily a Painter and Tattoo artist. I have a love of natural history and science. I paint and draw a lot of dead things, like dinosaurs and skulls. I had once considered pursuing scientific illustration because the artwork I enjoy making leans toward scientific accuracy. At the tattoo studio, I’m known as the dinosaur lady.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I don’t foresee any big shifts, but there are always trends that come and go in any industry. I do find it interesting how social media has such an influence on the types of tattoos that become popular, so I do look to apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram to see what could be coming in the door.
Pricing:
- Free Consultations
- No quotes online or over the phone
- Minimum deposit required for appointments
Contact Info:
- Email: tattoosbysoyla@gmail.com
- Website: www.vatolocotattoostudio.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/Soyla81
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TattoosbySoyla
