Today we’d like to introduce you to Antonela Luque.
Antonela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
One month into being 19 I got my first tattoo, which started the catalyst for my current career path. That night itself was a whirlwind, but we ended up in a tattoo shop and were having a good time figuring out exactly what we all wanted to get. I chatted up the piercer, who also worked the front desk and we hit it off. They asked me if I had ever considered a career in the tattoo industry, specifically as a piercer. I answered honestly, which was no, but at that point, I was constantly seeking excitement so I told her I could be into it.
I pierced and managed tattoo shops for a few years on and off, but I quickly realized that what I wanted to do was a tattoo. I was constantly asking a million questions about technique, art tips, and why certain things were being done. I watched set-ups, stencil making, and prepped tattoo designs. Even if no one would apprentice me because I have always been kinda bubbly and back then definitely not a serious person, I was going to absorb as much information as possible.
I’m not going to pretend like it was easy. It wasn’t. And I gave up a lot. But always came back regardless of the umbrella of abuse that others subjected me to. I knew that this was my avenue to do art, the way I wanted. I wanted so badly to feel independent and powerful with myself and my art.
During COVID, my partner at the time had known about my dream. At that point I was doing a lot of digital art, all tattooed inspired, so when Christmas came around I was gifted tattoo supplies by them. I tattooed a single orange and showed my friends, and they immediately wanted to get tattooed the next day.
While I’m not exactly proud of tattooing in a less-than-ideal way, I knew my safety protocols, and at this point, I was 25, so I had a few years of experience under my belt, especially in sanitation, so I did things properly. I tattooed a lot of people for three months and got a message from a friend I knew from the industry who had started a shop on Mills & 50 offering me a spot.
That opportunity was something that was also unfortunately riddled with abuse of power, among other forms of abuse. But I had decided a long time ago that I was going to endure as much as I could to continue my quest to become the person I knew I could be. When I left that shop, I did almost give up, but ultimately I couldn’t. And that’s when I met Nick & Steph, the owners of Carcosa Tattoo.
I have been at Carcosa for almost a year and it is one of the safest places for me in the entire world. I have grown so much as an artist. I learn so much every day from Nick, and his twin brother Neil, who are amazing tattoo artists and have a lot of experience under their belt. As well as the girls, Marci & Sierra, who have also become such powerhouses in what feels like such a short time. Frankie & Steph are Nick’s apprentices and they also have taught me so much about my art.
I’ve always wanted to be an artist. I started doing art when I was 3. Both my grandfathers are artists. It is so important to me. But I grew up knowing that I would never be able to afford something like art school, or really anything that wasn’t going to involve being the best of the best. I spent most of my life giving up on my dreams, and now I truly refuse to. I think my art and my career are the biggest reflections of that, even if it looks bubbly and cute.
It all comes from a place of darkness that now seeks light. My hero’s journey to triumph over my own internal evil.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Without getting too whiney about it, I truly don’t think I’ve ever experienced something that wasn’t a struggle. Maybe some of that was self-inflicted, but for the most part, it has always been something very present in my life.
The tattoo industry is white-cismale dominated, and unfortunately, a lot of the time it is made to be kept that way.
I am queer, female-bodied, and first-generation American, so no one cared about anything I had to offer until I went out of my way to prove myself through hazing.
Now I would never put up with that behavior, but when was 19, 20, or even 21, I was very soft, vulnerable, and willing to do anything to make you believe I belonged.
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 am in my second year of tattooing currently! I kinda do everything except realism. I can do fine lines, and I especially love botanicals if I do a fine line tattoo. My biggest influences are traditional style tattooing, as well as cartoons and anime.
I have a lot of nostalgia in me, and when I first started doing art, I was mostly recreating cartoons I saw on American television. I think I am known for my ability to connect with clients and truly create the perfect tattoo for them without making them feel bad about revisions. I try my hardest to create a safe space, and that makes me very proud.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The tattoo future is hard for me to conceptualize. I can definitely see robots tattooing at some point. Definitely more efficient healing.
I can see eco-friendly supplies being far more accessible and widely used (or maybe that’s my wishful thinking). I also see over saturation of artists, and that is neither here nor there for me. And maybe more variety of reactive inks.
Pricing:
- 3 small for $150
- 2 palm-sized tattoos (lines & shading) $300
- previous clients leave a review and get $50 off the next tattoo
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empathrumink/
