Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose Contreras.
Hi Jose, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
From a very young age, I felt a deep curiosity for drawing and body modification. In 2006, I began exploring that world through piercing, which quickly led me to discover my true passion: tattooing.
By 2007, I had started my training as a tattoo artist, learning basic techniques while surrounded by other artists who inspired me. My dedication soon earned me a spot at Mithos Tattoo, one of the most respected studios in my home country, where I also began competing in local tattoo conventions and won several awards, including Rookie Artist of the Year.
My journey took me beyond borders. In 2010, I moved to Argentina, where I lived for a year and worked alongside renowned local artists. By 2012, thanks to the growing reach of social media, my work caught international attention, and I was invited as a guest artist in Lyon, France.
In 2015, I accepted a position at No Regrets Tattoo Studio in the UK, a place that brought together a diverse team of international artists. That same year, I was invited to the tattoo convention in Aalborg, Denmark, where I also participated in a live painting auction for charity.
One of the biggest milestones in my career came in 2016, when I joined Last Rites Tattoo in New York City, a legendary studio where I worked for nearly three years alongside world-renowned artists. During this time, I also traveled across the United States, attending conventions as both a competitor and a judge, and earning multiple awards.
Texas became a turning point for me. At the Dallas Tattoo Expo, I participated in the competition and was honored with the award for Best Black & Grey Tattoo of the Show. The atmosphere, the kindness of the people, and the sense of calm I found in Texas made me want to return.
That led me to join Dark Age Tattoo in Denton, Texas, one of the most important studios in the state, where I worked with a team of 17 artists, constantly exchanging knowledge and even studying other art forms like oil painting and charcoal drawing, which enriched my vision as an artist.
Nearly three years ago, I opened my own private studio in Lewisville, Texas. It became a creative space where I welcomed high-level guest artists and developed many of my most personal projects, while continuing to connect with clients who value quality and detail.
In 2023, I participated in the All Stars Tattoo Convention in Miami, where I won 2nd Place for Best Black & Grey Realism among more than 100 artists from around the world.
Today, I am proudly tattooing at Bougie Bougie Tattoo in Austin, TX. Being here has been an incredible experience not only because I truly enjoy the energy and lifestyle of this city, but also because the studio provides the perfect space to keep growing and connecting with amazing people. Austin has become an inspiring home for this new chapter of my career.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, it has been more of an adventure, full of ups and downs. One of the biggest challenges was leaving my country, Venezuela, at a young age. I was only 20 when I first traveled abroad in 2010, moving to Argentina. That experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and showed me what it meant to start over in a new country.
Not long after, at 21, I traveled to France for the first time in 2011. Each move meant starting from scratch again: building a new clientele, adapting to a new culture, and often not speaking the language.
Back in Venezuela, even basic things like getting quality tattoo machines or needles were a struggle. Sometimes the only way was to ask someone traveling abroad to bring them back. And every time I moved to a new country, just as I was beginning to establish myself, it was time to start again somewhere else.
I also didn’t come from a wealthy background everything I’ve achieved has been through hard work and persistence. But in the end, those struggles shaped me. Learning English, for example, came out of necessity being in places where no one spoke my language forced me to adapt. Every challenge gave me new skills and perspectives, and every country I lived in, every artist I collaborated with, added something to my journey. Those difficult moments are what made me the artist and person I am today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My style is best described as black and gray realism, or hyperrealism. Over the past years, I’ve specialized more and more in animal portraits, whether it’s pets like dogs and cats, or wild animals like tigers and lions. I also enjoy experimenting with surrealism, combining faces with elements of nature, sculptures, or double exposures. I’m always exploring new techniques and new ways to push my creativity forward.
What I enjoy most about my work isn’t just the act of creating, it’s also the people I meet along the way. Tattooing has allowed me to connect with people from all walks of life, each with their own unique stories. Some of my proudest moments come from clients who are getting their very first tattoo, often adults who grew up seeing tattoos as something negative or taboo. When they see the level of detail and artistry that can be achieved, they realize it’s not just ink on skin, it’s fine art. Changing that perception and helping elevate the respect for tattooing has been very meaningful to me.
I also feel honored to create memorial tattoos, especially pet portraits, which carry deep emotional weight for clients. Knowing that my work can help someone remember or heal is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Of course, tattooing celebrities has also been surreal. Growing up in Venezuela, I would see certain musicians or actors on TV and never imagine that years later I’d be tattooing them in person. Experiences like tattooing Scott Stapp from Creed remind me how far this craft has taken me, it’s humbling and inspiring at the same time.
What matters most to you? Why?
Right now, what matters most to me is my family. Becoming a father has completely changed my perspective, my son is two years old, and this stage of life has been very special. I’m focused on being present, enjoying these moments, and growing into that role while still giving my best to my art and to my clients.
At the same time, tattooing continues to be my passion and something I never want to take for granted. Every client who sits in my chair is important, and I always want them to leave not just with a tattoo, but with an experience that feels meaningful and personal.
If I had to sum up what guides me, I would say it’s freedom and inspiration, the freedom to keep creating, to travel, and to find new sources of motivation. What matters most is staying inspired, evolving, and continuing to build something meaningful step by step, both in my personal life and in my career.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://josecontrerasart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joseecd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoseContrerasArt1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@josecontrerasart
