Today we’d like to introduce you to Rennan “Reign-on” Pizarro.
Rennan, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I don’t feel like my story is too complicated or interesting, but everybody has to start somewhere. I grew up with my dad cutting my hair for as long as I could remember. When I was 14, I started cutting my own hair – I wasn’t good at it or anything, but I figured it couldn’t be any worse than what my dad was doing! Just kidding, Dad! I love you! Barbering is very personal to me as well because of how my relationship with my dad was growing up. We definitely didn’t see eye to eye on a lot of things – because of that, I actually was trying to stay away from anything that my dad did or was into. Cutting hair was that one thing I couldn’t stay away from. From junior high school through high school, I would cut anybody’s hair that would allow me to; friends’ hair, friends’ friend’s hair, friends’ little brothers’ hair – really anybody! I definitely wasn’t any good, but I loved cutting hair and working on the craft. When I was in college, I didn’t cut as much as I had before, but I continued to try and cut my hair every now and then and also cut some friends here and there as well. My best friend also had been cutting hair through high school as well, and at this point now, he was working in a shop. I was going to him for all my haircuts when I would visit home from college. This definitely kept me close and connected to barbering and the barbershop culture. It wasn’t until after I finished college, while I was teaching preschool that I realized what I really wanted in life was freedom and control of my career and life in all regards – and because I already had been cutting and had a love for cutting hair, decided to pursue it. What’s crazy about my journey through this all was finding out that I’m a 4th generation barber through my dad’s side of the family. My great grandfather owned his own barbershop in the Philippines, my grandpa cut hair in his time in the Navy, and my dad did the same as my grandpa.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
What most people would say about the art or craft that I do is “barbering,” but, barbering is definitely an art where there’s more than meets the eye. Cutting hair, styling hair and grooming facial hair are all things that everybody expects barbers to do, but this craft is forever evolving and expectations of barbers and hair stylists are growing higher and higher. I of course do this because I love all things hair, but I also do this because it’s just who I am. I love it’s culture and the future it’s evolving to, I love the relationships that you build, I love the freedom it can give you in many aspects, I love that it makes you take accountability for yourself and most of all I love the work and effort that goes into the craft and industry. I do what I do for my wife Cindy, my daughter Necé and son Chauncey. They motivate me in more ways than I can express and push me to be the best version of myself that I can be. I also do it for everybody I cut that supports me through everything. From friends I’ve cut since who knows when to everybody who is now a friend through the chair! I want everybody to know I do what I do for you guys. I always want to be available for everybody, because I wouldn’t be here without any of them. I’m also extremely fortunate to own a barbershop where other barbers who want to continually grow and evolve can do exactly that.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
The barbering industry today is definitely flourishing and has gotten very popular – especially on social media. This is awesome for the culture, but it can be looked at in different ways. On one side, it can help new, up and coming barbers get their name, presence and work out there. It also allows you to get free exposure to masses of people. On the other hand, it can give some barbers a false sense of success if they choose to accept a social media following and social media support to define their “success.” I love how cities all over the country and the world host events and conventions for the hair industry where you can gain plenty of knowledge on hair theory as well as what to truly expect from the industry. Many local barbers, barbershops, and barber schools have been hosting events that promote the industry for years, and it’s definitely something to applaud.
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?
For an up close and personal look, come by Sovereign Barbershop on 30th Street in North Park! Everybody is welcome at all times! We post plenty of work on our social media outlets which are currently Instagram @sovereignbarbershop and on Facebook “Sovereign Barbershop.” On Instagram, you can find our current family of barbers and their work – Andrew @authenticblends and Jaime @jaimitothebarber. I also post my work on my own Instagram @reign_on – any follow of the social media outlets is definitely an appreciated show of support! We would love to see some new and hopefully returning faces in the shop very soon!
Contact Info:
- Address: 3773 30th Street, suite D
San Diego, CA 92104 - Phone: (619)450-4116
- Email: sovbarberingco@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sovereignbarbershop?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=scolno7ia5br
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sovereign-Barbershop-279520072713648/
- Other: https://instagram.com/reign_on?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=1gj19huwqtkpo
Image Credit:
Gilberto Parada, Andrew Amon
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
