Meet Maia Pizarro | Tattoo artist

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

Hi Maia, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
The most important lesson I’ve learned so far, is to keep on going and keep your head up no matter the changes that happen to you or around you. People come and go, tattoo shops come and go but I’m still an artist at the end of the day and will continue being so, whether or not I have a place to work from.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Growing up, I was the kid who would doodle on my notes in class, during the times I should’ve been paying attention. A lot of my classmates noticed my doodles and enjoyed them so I kept at it. As I grew older, I received a lot of praise for my talent and was encouraged by family and friends to keep making art. It was something I was good at and made me happy in the process. I went to community college and attempted to be a business major because it would “make money” but it didn’t work out. I would fall asleep in class and didn’t enjoy doing math. So I switched to be an art major, where I was a lot happier and comfortable in that field. My community college art professor was awesome and I owe her my thanks as well. I transferred to UNT in Denton where I got my Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art. After graduating, I worked a lot of random jobs just to survive and cover rent/bills. I still had art projects to do outside of work and it kept me from going into a depressive state.
During this time, I started getting more tattoos and being in the tattoo shop inspired me to start thinking about becoming a tattoo artist. I started asking the artist questions about how to become a tattoo artist and he gave me some helpful tips and tricks. So I started replicating old tattoo designs to put a portfolio together. Brought my portfolio up to the shop I was getting tattooed at and they rejected me at first because they weren’t looking for an apprentice. It wasn’t discouraging at all because I would’ve kept looking at other shops. I got lucky because the artist who was tattooing my sleeve, said he would take me in as an apprentice. The apprenticeship itself wasn’t the easiest and I was constantly reminded that it could’ve been worse. I got tested a lot but had to my head low and keep moving forward because I really wanted to be in this career. I learned a lot in my time there, the do’s and the don’ts, and I’m thankful for it. I left the shop early this year and am grateful for the shop I’m at now.
I love the craft, am excited to keep learning more about tattooing and experiences in this field. I am excited for meeting new people and learning stories and getting to tattoo what they want. I am excited for the future and seeing where this path will lead me to.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First place I’d show them is the tattoo shop I work in, Wild Rooster Tattoo in Fort Worth. I’d show them around the shop and see if they’d be down to get tattooed. As far as eating in the Fort Worth area, Wabi House is my favorite. Best ramen spot I’ve ever been to. The takoyaki is great and the tonkotsu ramen is my fave. The scat lounge in downtown Fort Worth is pretty cool and has live jazz bands playing on nights and weekends. The Fort Worth botanical gardens are always fun to visit. And lastly, the water gardens in downtown Fort Worth is also a cool place to hang out in.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My ultimate shoutout goes towards my boyfriend, Josh Ford, who was very optimistic and supportive throughout the entirety of me changing careers and pursuing my tattoo career.

I have to give a shoutout to the current tattoo shop that I work in, Wild Rooster Tattoo in Fort Worth, TX. Shoutout to them for giving me a chance to work there and for being a great group of artists to work with.

I also have to give a shoutout to the crew from the first shop I worked in, Change of Tides Tattoo in north Dallas, TX. They gave me a chance and took me in as an apprentice to work and learn to become a tattoo artist.

I also need to shoutout all my family and friends who have trusted and supported me all my life and continue to be there for me. I owe them so much and I want to be there for them as much as they’ve been there for me.

Website: linktr.ee/tattoosbymaia

Instagram: https://instagram.com/maiapizarro_art?igshid=YzAwZjE1ZTI0Zg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maia.pizarro?mibextid=LQQJ4d