Meet Zach Mathews | Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zach Mathews and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zach, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I took a major risk when I started tattooing. I had just bought a house, left a stable job of eight years, and had four kids depending on me financially. I wasn’t sure if tattooing would be enough to support us, but I knew it was what made me happy. For the first two years, I worked another job alongside tattooing to ease my income worries.

Tattooing itself comes with risks—every piece I create carries the weight of precision, client expectations, and the possibility of something not going as planned. On top of that, the uncertainty of slow bookings during tough economic times is always a factor. But I embrace those challenges. The pressure pushes me to grow, refine my craft, and continue striving to be better.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My favorite style to tattoo is colorful, cartoon-style art. While I’ve worked hard to be well-rounded, I tend to steer away from hyper-realism. I enjoy the creative freedom of drawing things in my own way rather than just replicating a photo.

I’ve gotten to where I am today by surrounding myself with people I can learn from. Art has always been a passion, but I wasn’t naturally gifted—I had to put in the work, trying over and over again to figure things out. Even now, I learn something new every day, and I’m constantly inspired by the incredible work my peers create.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was in town for a week, I’d start by taking them to Third Eye Gallery to meet some of the coolest people and most talented artists around. Then, we’d head to Slow Bone for some of the best barbecue on the planet. We’d definitely catch a Stars game and, hopefully, find a great concert in Deep Ellum to check out.

A boat day with some fishing would be a must, and I’m always down for a round of bowling. To top it off, we’d hang out at the FOE pool—always a good time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife has been my rock throughout my career. In the early days, she supported me as I worked late nights and weekends, taking on so much at home to care for our children. Her unwavering support allowed me to fully chase my dream.

I’m also incredibly grateful to Gold Dust Tattoo for taking a chance on me when I didn’t have much of a portfolio to show. They welcomed me in, and I had the opportunity to learn from so many talented artists and creative minds. Working there taught me not only how to design and tattoo properly but also how to manage my schedule and grow as an artist. That experience was instrumental in helping me achieve my goals.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exzachary99/

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Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/third-eye-gallery-dallas