Today we’d like to introduce you to Christian Pena
Hi Christian, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I came to Texas last May from Chicago. I studied at the American Academy of Art in downtown and began a tattoo apprenticeship a couple years after that. The experience itself was crazy, out of a movie because I worked in the first funeral home in Chicago, turned tattoo shop. After some years grinding away at tattoos, I opened my own business with my brother. We had a retail shop named Grandpa’s Attic and it was an amazing experience especially getting to become part of the neighborhood and the people. However, it is tough in the city and after a tragic death in the family, we closed shop. The years after that I focused a ton on my art career and established myself in the art scene. I have been painting for the past ten years and have finally made the move to Texas after considering being closer to family. Now, I am lucky enough to live in this beautiful city and work surrounded by an amazing sight of nature right next to Brushy Creek. You can come visit me at Legacy Tattoo.
Alright, 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?
No, not at all lmao. I got pneumonia a month after moving here and I was dog sick for a month, plus took another month recovering. And that’s just moving to Texas. It’s always dealing with challenges in a creative way and you learn that through the years. You spend a lot of money, you spend a lot of time. I had my wrist fucked up and still had to work through that, sometimes I couldn’t even afford a canvas to paint on. Eventually, I also did freelance work; I did live art events with Warner Brothers, worked with breweries curating art events, over the years I gained a lot of business experience, not only for myself but others like Pawn Chicago by providing creative ideas and solutions to drive business forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a renaissance man, I like to do and can do many awesome things. My artwork is traditionally made but I like to paint scary stuff, silly stuff and everything in between. I love to paint clowns and gross-up close-ups 90s cartoon style. I look forward to displaying work around town this summer. My tattoo work tends to be detailed. I specialize in dark and colorful horror pop art.
I’m proud of being the first art to be showcased in Dick Blick Art Material Artist of the Month Series in Downtown, Chicago. They decided to begin an artist store showcase after I won their annual art competition two years in a row, competing against the best seven art schools in the city.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Well, in business there are gonna be times where you have to take risks, rather be and investment of time or resources. Recently, my biggest risk has definitely been relocating here. I left all my clients and collaborators in Chicago and I have to re-establish myself. Thankfully, I have made some friends and am happy to work with some great artists!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrispyink/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p.chris85/
