Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominic Vasquez.
Dominic, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Originally from Denver Colorado, I started tattooing in 2002. I have always had an interest in art and have drawn and painted as far back as I can remember. I was an only child so I liked to just sit in my room and try to draw the things that interested me. As I got older I had a desire to get tattooed from the time I was in middle school and waited until I was financially able to. After I got my first tattoo I was hooked. I saw that the person who tattooed me was an artist as well and was able to sustain a living with art. After buying a kit online and scratching around a few friends the artist who was tattooing me offered to teach me the right way and I did it. I worked through my apprenticeship and traveled a little and then left that shop to work with someone who I considered to be one of the best bosses I could encounter in tattooing. I decided after a few years that I wanted to travel more and be a bit of a nomad. My grandfather lived in la and I knew some people in San Diego so California was my first stop. I came down to Oceanside and struggled in a small shop before taking a job at Superfly tattoo. That was an eye opener for me. It was real deal tattooing like you hear about in old timey stories. Navy pay days with sailors lined up at the door. I really owe this experience to opening up my mind to what real tattooing is. I worked for a month straight 12-hour days and was the only tatttoer. I stayed at superfly another year before tattooing in LA for a few months before taking on a position at Full circle tattoo in OB. In 2010, I left to do some traveling and just spend time with friends and family and when I came back I set up at some shop here in San Diego. The owner of Superfly contacted me in 2015 and we maintained a good relationship and she made me an offer for superfly I couldn’t pass up. We just had our second daughter and taking ownership of 2 tattoo shops was the last thing I really wanted but I always wanted Superfly and I didn’t want it to be taken over by someone who doesn’t respect tattooing. It’s been a tough 2.5 years but I have learned a lot and owe the success of Superfly to my amazing crew of guys who have been with me and constantly push themselves to be the best they can. They know that when I am being hard on them it’s with their best interest in mind. In 2017 I took on a space in south park and opened my custom shop called Battle Royale Tattoo where we work mostly by appointment but can accommodate walk ins on the weekends.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My wife and I have 4 children under 4 and having a family and 2 businesses and learning how to juggle it all while my wife maintains her career as well is probably the biggest challenge. Everyday is a learning experience and for the most part, I don’t try to stress on it but just roll with it.
Please tell us about Superfly Tattoo and Body Peircing.
I specialize in being proficient in any type of tattooing but prefer to work in large scale Traditional Japanese tattooing as well as American traditional tattooing. I am proud of the fact that my tattooers are hardworking and are constantly willing to hear my critiques or input and not take it negatively, I am also extremely proud of the crew I have now hold tattooing in high regards and the level of respect we strive to give to every person who walks in the door whether or not they are getting tattooed or pierced. I have always worked to give every one of my clients my honest opinion of their ideas and at least try to keep an open mind to what they want rather than shut them down. I strive to be accountable for my tattoos and I will express to a client if I don’t feel confident their tattoo is realistic what their options are or who I feel has the better expertise to do what they want. My guys work hard to make sure that our walls have hand painted designs by our artists and we pride ourselves on the fact that we have no ego.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
That’s tough. I have a lot. I was raised by my father and I will always remember and laugh that at every parent teacher conference I was able to stress my dad out by always finishing my work early and distracting everyone else or not work on my actual school work to draw.
He would be soooo bummed with me. I swear it was every year too!
Contact Info:
- Address: 439 broadway
- Website: www.superflywesttattoo.com
- Phone: 6192343597
- Email: superflyincsd@gmail.com
- Instagram: @superflytattoos
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