Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Carrillo Jr.
Eric, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I loved art at a very young age, and once I was in high school I began to focus so much on my art that I stopped paying attention in class, I graduated, and once I was in the real world my art stopped but then I received an opportunity to move to Australia, so I did. I traveled from state to state as a restoration technician, and my sketchbook traveled with me. Once I came back to California, I got a job and saved more money and was determined to tattoo. I found an apprenticeship at just deadly in Pico Rivera that had great people and a great teacher, but I had to stop for financial reasons. I kept trying to tattoo on my own but was a lot harder. My art started to fade once again, and I was laid off from my job, and once that happened it sparked me again to try and make a career out of what I loved, and I began another apprenticeship which I finished this past January. Now I am living my dream and continue to better myself every day.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do? Why? And what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a portrait artist as well as a tattoo artist. I enjoy turning real life into an art medium. I want people to see and take in such a moment in life where someone can create the beauty of the image with a paper and pencil.
How can artists connect with other artists?
It can be at times; it’s hard to communicate with people when they don’t see your vision, and you become your biggest critic. Earlier in my career, I felt that everything I did wasn’t good enough even though I had family and friends telling me that I was crazy because it was amazing, but it’s hard for them to see what you see. My advice would be to listen; it’s okay to be complimented and be happy to receive a compliment. And you will come across egotistic artist but don’t let them control your motivation.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My Instagram has most of my artwork which is @ericthegreat29ink
I also recently started a clothing line called Asma Designs, and for support, I can be contacted for pricing and shirt designs as well as tattoo inquiries and portrait commissions via Instagram or my email; Ericthegreat29ink@yahoo.com.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 6263910463
- Email: ericthegreat29ink@yahoo.com
- Instagram: Ericthegreat29ink
Image Credit:
Bridgette Rodriguez my photographer
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