the skill set banner featuring stephanie tamez tattoo artist

Tattoo Artistry: The Skill of Purpose, Precision, and Expression

Tattoo Artistry: The Skill of Purpose, Precision, and Expression

Steph Tamez is more than just a tattoo artist — they are an anthropologist, historian and expressionist using the art of tattooing to bring culture to skin and help people tell their story. Through this unique art form, Steph has earned a vulnerable sense of trust with their clients through a technique that is both marvelous and methodical.

In this episode, Steph and I discuss the meaning of tattoos in society and the skill of focusing on the journey rather than the destination.

Stephanie's journey

Stephanie Tamez is an artist who was originally from San Antonio, Texas. They developed an interest in painting and mixed media during their teenage years. Tamez began their career in Graphic Design at the age of 18 and worked in Ad agencies before moving on to on-air graphics for an ABC television affiliate. When they were 25, Tamez moved to San Francisco and worked at Tower Records as the lead artist for the Castro Street store, creating large scale album and film art. At the age of 30, they learned to tattoo in San Francisco before moving to New York City in 2000 to work at Lori Levin's famous tattoo parlor, New York Adorned. Tamez spent 9 years at the shop before moving to Saved Tattoo in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where they co-owned the business with their wife, Virginia Elwood, and Scott Campbell. In August 2020, Tamez started This Time Tmrw, a collective private studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn where they and other artists create art.

Find inspiration through Steph's social media

Contributors

  • Cheryl Durst
  • Doug Shapiro
  • Adriana Davila
  • Stephanie Tamez
New Imagine a Place issue Issue 05 is now available!
Sign up to recieve a free copy.