Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Torres.
Carlos Torres has been tattooing for 18 years and is mostly self-taught. Over the years he worked at a couple of tattoo shops before he got his big break at So. Cal Tattoo in San Pedro, CA. It was there he learned the most and started to build his tattoo portfolio. Carlos specializes in black & gray realism and surrealism and loves creating original pieces. In addition to tattooing, he enjoys photographing his own reference materials, painting and traveling. Through his travels, Carlos has won awards including Best Small Black & Gray, Best Large Black & Gray, and Best Backpiece.
In October of 2017, Carlos opened his own studio, The Raven and The Wolves. This fine art gallery and tattoo studio is located in the heart of downtown Long Beach and is home to 8 artists. In addition to the resident artists, Carlos’ gallery hosts artists from all over the world as they come to work in the sunshine and beautiful studio.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I create tattoos and fine art. I enjoy taking my projects from start to finish and setting up the feel of the project from the very beginning. To do so, I hire my own models and photograph them with the desired lighting, clothing, position, etc. This allows me to create reference material that is unique and not simply downloaded from the internet. From there, I use the images to create large scale tattoos that are based on realism and surrealism. Some images are used for oil paintings as well. Often times, someone will see one of my paintings and want it tattooed on them.
I would say that the message with my artwork is to never lose your dinosaur. Always keep creating and growing as an artist. Challenge yourself and surround yourself with other artists that can provide feedback and support.
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
I think that the biggest challenge today is being creative and different. It is hard to create a signature style and stand out from the crowd. As this style become popular and copied, the new challenge is to create something new and different that you love and that people respond to. The tattoo industry has grown so much over the years, and there is so much talent around the world. What took artists ten years to master in the past is now being done by new artists that have been tattooing two years. I think it is an exciting time in the industry and seeing all the young talent is inspiring and pushes me to be a better artist each day.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
All of my work can be seen online. My tattoos, paintings and day to day shop life can be seen on my Instagram page @carlostorresart. Pieces of my art can be purchased on my website www.carlostorresart.com.
Contact Info:
- Address: 212 The Promenade N.
Long Beach, CA 90802 - Website: www.carlostorresart.com
- Phone: 310-918-5722
- Email: carlostorresart@gmail.com
- Instagram: @carlostorresart
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