Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystina Quinones
Hi Krystina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well let’s start in high school, I was diagnosed with Lupus at 14 years old. I turned to always being very creative and had a lot of different art classes and had an aunt who had lupus as well and supported anything I did. I also knew that once I turned 18 years old, I was going to get my first tattoo. I was very nervous but excited. The tattoo I got was a music heart and it was in a hidden spot on my hip, that I was able to keep a secret for a couple of years because I knew my parents would disapprove. I lived in Indiana most my childhood and then moved back down to Florida once I graduated. I had a couple different jobs like working at the mall or restaurant. I had my first daughter at 21 years old and went to school to be in the medical field because I knew I had to support myself and my child. I was a medical assistant for a few years. So after having a baby, my Lupus came back and decided to attack my kidneys. I also lost my aunt a year after my daughter was born and that was devastating for me. In 2020 I was placed on dialysis. That shifted a lot of things for me, I wasn’t able to work that typical 9-5 job. This was also the time of quarantine and with a weak immune system it was just safer to stay home. I started to dedicate my free time to creating again, drawing and to pursue tattooing.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This will be long but bear with me. I did not have the typical apprenticeship. My start into tattooing was just trying to find a mentor/shop who was willing to actually teach me. I stubbled across a shop that I knew 1 person who was already tattooing in and that this would be a good time to network and maybe get in. The mentor there, was an older man. I told him I was inspired by anime art and different other art styles. He told me “you can’t tattoo anime” and that left me very confused but he was willing to teach me. Literally the next day, I received a text from him saying he left the shop and couldn’t teach me anymore due to personal life issues. The shop kept me, it was an all female shop for just a short couple of months and then things drastically changed with the owner personal life and it was time to find a new place that wasn’t so toxic. And luckily I did, I found a mentor who took some of her time to teach me. I started to tattoo even more and that went well. Towards the end of my time there, I was pressured into doing a tattoo I was not ready for, just because nobody in the shop wanted to deal with the certain type of client. I was working long hours and my daughter was struggling in school. My motherly instincts kicked in and the vibes were off. I was suppose to have a conversation with the owner for whatever reason. I came in on my day off, waited an hour, they did not show up, so I decided to go home and maybe I would just see her the next day for our discussion. Couple hours later, I was notified on Instagram, that I was completely removed from the shop’s page as if I did not exist. That hurt, it made me believe that I was not good enough. That I also needed to do something drastic for myself. My passion for tattooing was too big for me to give up on my dream. So I made a choice and opened my own private studio. It taught me a lot about being a business owner. There were challenges along the way but also a lot of rewards too. Surprisingly, I found out, I was pregnant with my 2nd child. It was a big shock to myself and family.
I did tattoo while pregnant for a bit, I was in a good shop environment with talented people who saw my belly grow. The last 3 months of my pregnancy, that’s when I switched from Peritoneal dialysis to doing Hemodialysis full time and I had to take time to take care of myself, baby and family.
4 months after having my 2nd daughter, I was READY to get back to tattooing. I’ve changed shops a couple of times but I needed to find a place I could call home. A place that wasn’t strict with schedules or uptight rules, with drama I didn’t need, I didn’t want to feel easily replaceable, that my skills I had to grow, find, chase and create mainly on my own, with the acknowledgment of I am a mother of 2 kiddos and I need a kidney transplant. I found that with where I am today. I work at a talented shop in Longwood with my talented boss at The Paint Parlor. I hope to continue to grow organically, you never stop learning in this industry. You just have to find the right people and support to truly grow and thrive.
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 would say my tattoo work is a wide range in versatility, you have an idea and I am ready to design, to create and give you something that will go on your body forever. Ideas can be small or big. I can do both black and grey work alongside color work. I do feel stronger in my color work, even a pop of just one color you can find in my tattoo pieces. I am inspired by anime characters/cartoon characters. I enjoy tattooing things I love like: animals, floral, soft dotwork, ornamental, whimsical and dark work. But not limited to just those things. I can tattoo dainty fineline work and bold lines as well. Would love to add more anime characters to my portfolio along with animals.
With getting my transplant( I do not know when I will receive a kidney, I am on the list and waiting for a match) I may have to take some time off to recover whenever that will be I will make an announcement. Since the beginning of 2025, I am proud of doing other art forms like: painting, tufting, and doing art markets; catch the different art things I make and sell! I hope this year, I can continue to tattoo with clients, new and established! To create even outside of tattooing. Lastly, I hope I’ve made my aunt proud of who I’ve become today. She was getting tattoos before her passing and I wished I was able to tattoo her. I know she would have been my walking billboard if she was still alive today. I miss her dearly.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Like I mentioned I did not have the typical apprenticeship, I had my own private studio and kept searching for uplifting people to learn and grow my craft. So yes I’m a risk taker when it comes to the passion I have for tattooing. I always thought I would get a kidney transplant sooner and that has made me hesitant about traveling to go to tattoo conventions and getting out of my comfort zone. I’ve been waiting 5 years(6 years this October). So, my goal this year is to finally go to a tattoo convention because life is too short to hold yourself back. I endured a lot in my personal life and my career. After having my 2nd daughter, I knew I needed to grow stronger as an artist whatever creative outcome it may be.
Pricing:
- My minimum is $100
- Deposits $50-$100
- Cash or Card!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/azarathtattoos
- Instagram: azarathtattoos
- Facebook: azarathtattoos
