Today we’d like to introduce you to CJ Orazi.
Hi CJ, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started tattooing in 2007. It was much harder to get an apprenticeship then. There were way less shops and not many had open chairs for new artists. I managed to get my foot in the door at a new shop in town and held fast at that location for a majority of my career and worked my way up to Shop Manager, which led to me deciding to own my own tattoo shop. While asking advice from other Tattoo Artist who owned their own shop, I found one person who was wanting to sell their shop. So I put together what I could, got a huge Loan and took over in January 2025. It was an appointment only shop but I opened it up to walkins and we’ve been building up our local reputation with things like flash events and deals for Williamsburg residents & theme park employees.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s definitely not been a smooth road. One of the biggest struggles I’ve encountered along the way was the year leading up to ownership. My fiancé at the time and I were having serious complications with our pregnancy. I went to pick her up from the hospital and a huge pick up truck pulled out in front of me. It messed up my hip and my back pretty bad and I was unable to work for quite some time and then on very light duty after that. Unfortunately, during this time, we also lost our child and our relationship was unable to recover from the loss. I was broken, inside and out. I had to focus on getting the shop to keep my mind off of it. Thankfully, I still have two wonderful boys, 25 & 8, and they are the reason I keep going, even when most would have given up or changed course.
Being a tattoo artist and a business owner is not easy and it’s not for the faint of heart.
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 like variety. So I try to learn how each style works individually, then I can have more tools in the toolbox when I’m creating new custom designs. It helps me mix styles into one design. For instance; Traditional roses surrounding a realistic color portrait. The thing I’m most proud of is probably my Customer Service. I make a lot of friends during sessions. I enjoy meeting new people and learning things about them, whether it’s during the consultation process or the application of the Tattoo. It ends up being similar to a podcast conversation about aliens and ancient civilizations or conspiracies most of the time. It’s fun, I enjoy my job and the perks.
What were you like growing up?
I was often in trouble in school. I would finish my work early and start drawing around the sides of the paper and then all over the back of it as well. I would get in trouble for disrupting the class because other students would gather around my desk and request me to draw things for them. I’m pretty introverted for someone who has chosen the career pass that I have, like frontman in a band and tattoo shop owner. When I’m concentrating or deep in thought, I’ve been told I have somewhat of a scowl on my face so some people say that I’m hard to approach, but I’m really pretty chill and understanding.
When I’m not tattooing or drawing, I like to hang out with my kids and go hiking or camping. I also like to write music and compose soundtracks or ambient background stuff. I have some old music on most of the popular streaming sites; Amazon, itunes, spotify, soundcloud, youtube etc. Just search my name, CJ Orazi or Familiar Sin.
Thanks for taking the time to interview me, I really appreciate your time. And thanks to the reader for making it this far. Now, come get a tattoo! Bye
Pricing:
- Minimum $150
- Hourly $200
- Half day $800
- Full day $1500
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.thevintagetattoos.com
- Instagram: @TheVintageTattoos
- Facebook: Facebook.com/theVintageTattooShoppe
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheVintageTattooShoppe
- Soundcloud: CJ Orazi
- TikTok: @thevintagetattoos
Image Credits
Heath Miller-Plan A Promotions
