Today we’d like to introduce you to Eddy Herrera.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been drawing since I can remember. I want to say it started when I was 5 or 6. My cousin was a good artist as well and I would try to copy him and draw and I’ve been doing it since. I started drawing my favorite cartoon characters and trying to recreate everything in exact detail. Batman was, and still is one of my favorites to draw.
In school I was always the kid my classmates asked to draw them something. Everything from Pokémon characters to even portraits for presents for girlfriends and boyfriends. I never really charged people, I just enjoyed doing them and I never really thought I would make a career from art. I am the oldest of 3 brothers and our parents were very adamant about us going to college after high school. When that time came for me, I wasn’t into it. I did well in high school and took advanced placement and made good grades (I was a nerd, let’s be honest), but I was definitely burned out on school in general. I went to school for about a year before deciding it wasn’t for me.
I worked various jobs for about 2 or 3 years after that before I discovered tattooing. I started drawing designs with the intention of tattooing them at some point and to build a portfolio to try and secure an apprenticeship. I stumbled upon a shop in Arlington that was willing to take me on as an apprentice. While I learned a lot about the tattoo business and how a shop operates, I didn’t learn a lot about tattooing. I was allowed to tattoo pretty much right away and learned a lot through trial and error on my friends. I eventually felt I needed to move on to somewhere where I could learn something solid so I sought out other shops that were closer to home in Bedford.
I worked at another shop and built relationships there, but only stayed for about 6 months before I decided I was stretching myself too thin. I was working at a distribution center at the time from 6am to 3pm every day and going straight to the shop til at least 10pm. I felt that if I was going to actually pursue tattooing, it needed to be 100% and I couldn’t justify it at the time, but more likely, I was scared of losing the security I had with a full time job.
I stopped tattooing and focused on my full time job thinking that I had a future there and dismissed tattooing as something that “I tried, but it wasn’t for me”. After a few years working, I was over it and planned a trip to Europe in secret. After about 6 months of preparation and saving, I was ready to pull the trigger and left in February 2016.
While there, I had a lot of time to reflect on where I was in life and what I really wanted to do when I returned and tattooing was always on the back of my mind, more heavily than it ever was before. I decided that since I was coming back to nothing, I might as well do what I want and pursue what I want.
I was able to work in the same shop that I had built relationships with earlier and I learned even more about the business, culture and ins and outs of tattooing. I outgrew that shop and moved to a shop in Fort Worth near downtown and was there for about 2 years before moving to where I am at now, Ink817 Tattoo Co.
Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t think anything worth having is easy. I believe that hard work and dedication absolutely pays off if you’re putting everything you have into it. That being said, no, it was not a smooth road. I struggled a lot internally on whether or not I was working hard enough, producing enough art and producing good art. I didn’t have a whole lot of help along the way with art or tattooing so a lot of what I have done has been self-taught. I believe you are responsible for your own education. Whether that’s art, music, work or anything else in life. I took it upon myself to try and constantly seek out new artists, try different styles and mediums and expand my knowledge as a whole throughout this journey to becoming a tattooer. I still have a whole lot to learn and actually enjoy learning now because I am passionate about the content. I don’t think anyone stops learning and it keeps me grounded.
I also faced struggles with depression and still do on and off and it has led to feelings of discouragement, defeat and an overall sadness at times. I think my biggest tool is something that my dad has always taught me and my brothers, and that’s to keep things in perspective. That it could be a hell of a lot worse than you have it, even on your worst days. I often try my best to take a step back and look at everything from an aerial view when things seem dark and that often times helps me to remember where I am, and appreciate what I have accomplished in life.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Eddy G Tattoo – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I try my best to be as well rounded as I can artistically. I have done everything from lettering to portraits and everything in between at least once in art and tattooing. I most enjoy larger, bold and illustrative pieces, however. Anything with a solid black outline and heavy black shading and color really gets me excited and gets me lost in whatever I am working on.
I feel that I have a knack for bringing ideas to life. I have always been a quick artist so it’s not unusual for me to sketch out a design right in front of the client and then tattoo it right after. I usually don’t take a long time to put ideas into a composition that’s pleasing to the eye for both myself and the client. There are times when a client has an idea of what they want, and maybe some rough sketches of layout and other details, but nothing that is complete enough to tattoo. I often times tell myself “give em what they don’t know they want”. Meaning that I am able to take those ideas and expand on them in a way that they may not have considered yet. I think this is the best way to approach a tattoo, especially larger work with lots of ideas and images incorporated.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I was born and raised in Fort Worth so it’s hard not to love it. I’ve really enjoyed growing up here and watching how much it has grown in the last decade. There is a huge sense of community when you’re out and about. It’s always friendly and people are genuine. The art community and music scene alone have grown so much that I almost don’t believe it at times. Seeing other artists grow and build each other up and put on shows and events is just flat out amazing and I love it.
I do wish there was a little more of those bigger events and shows around, but that will come in time. I’m optimistic and excited to see where the culture moves to in the next decade with art, music and tattooing.
Pricing:
- $100 deposit to book appointments
- Flat rates on single session pieces, otherwise $150/hr (usually larger scale work like back pieces, sleeves, etc)
Contact Info:
- Address: Ink817 Tattoo Company
3204 Camp Bowie Blvd
Fort Worth, TX 76107 - Website: www.eddygtattoo.com
- Phone: 817-966-4975
- Email: eddygtattoo@gmail.com
- Instagram: @eddygtattoo
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/eddygtattoo
Image Credit:
Eddy Herrera
Brittney Miller Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
