I was at a tattoo convention in Mexico, where I had the occasion to learn more about the interesting life of Jose’ Arce, a tattoo artists based in Tijuana, Baja California.
Matt: When/how did you start tattooing?
I grew up in south-central Los Angeles. My first experience with tattoos was in between 96′ and 98′ at a tattoo shop called Wicked tattoo in Lynwood, California (Now Closed) .
I was shocked when I walked into the tattoo shop and saw a guy by the name of Pint who was doing a portrait tattoo. It was amazing. I was truly inspired by the way he was tattooing this portrait on me. It was a big influence in my life to get into tattooing. I remember asking him how I could get into tattooing and where I could buy machines and tattoo kits.
My first tattoo kit was recommended by him (Pint), and he told me to get a Joe Kaplan kit from the magazines, so I ordered it and never looked back. He was one of the only few people in the tattoo industry who actually gave information, because after that, I asked several other people, and they refused to help me. I went back several times to get information on the needles and how to make them, and he was more than kind to help me out with that as well. I’m grateful for that, and I thank him a lot. He was a big inspiration in my life. He is a great artist, a well-known artist, and a tattoo artist over there in California.
That’s where I got my start in tattoos. I started doing home tattoos and stuff like that, and we started growing little by little. My life kind of took me in a different direction from tattoos. I was involved in gangs and living the street life in South Central Los Angeles, so being in that, I got caught up and ended up going to prison. I eventually ended up getting deported from the United States and landing here in Tijuana, Baja California.
I got deported in October 2009, and by June 2010, I had already opened up my own tattoo studio here with the help of my brother, and I’ve been here since. You know it’s been a struggle, but tattooing has been the best thing that could ever happen in my life.
Matt: What has tattooing done for your life?
Jose: It inspires me to do a lot of different things on top of the lifestyle that I had when I was in Southern California that helped me and had a big influence on my life, made me think differently, and inspired me to try to become a good artist. There’s a lot of stereotypes going on about tattooing, gangs in prison, and all that stuff, but there’s a big difference between all those different things.
I’ve been open for nine years now, and it’s been a great experience for me to meet great artists from all over South America. I can’t travel to the USA anymore, but I get to meet a lot of artists from the States because they come to tattoo conventions here in Mexico. Some of us travel to South America and other countries like that, and it’s a great experience. Tattooing has become my life and has been extremely good to me.
I love my work, I love what I do, and I love to put a smile on people’s faces. You know, there’s been quite a few ups and downs and experiences in my life with that, but it’s been a good experience.
Matt: Do you also do other art forms?
Jose: I work in different art forms, including airbrushing, oil painting, posters, and pen drawing. I use a lot of different media in my art.
Was there anyone special who helped you?
Jose: There’s a couple people that have truly inspired me here in Mexico and also in the United States. I can name a few of them. Here are a few: Pint, Alan Padilla, Chente Rios, BIg Sleeps, Jose Lopez, and here in Mexico. Federico Ruiz, Javier Benavidez (Evil). Robin Carpio, Buster.
Matt: Anyone you want to thank?
Jose:I would love to thank first and foremost my mother, Rosa Armida Alvarez Torrez, for always believing in my art and being there through my hardest moments. Second, my biggest inspiration is tattooing. (pint uno). And everyone in my neighborhood who let me practice on there skin and helped me get better at it.
