Color
Real Name: Erik Del Rio
Hater: What style do you specialize in?
Color: I wouldn’t say that I specialize in anything particularly. I like to think of myself as a jack-of-all-trades. Most artists nowadays have a tendency to limit themselves to either traditional Japanese or Americana. I like to be able to tackle a broader spectrum. I can do a black and grey portrait, then easily turn around and complete a traditional or Japanese piece without missing a beat. I don’t really like to restrict myself to one style because if you focus entirely on one thing, you will miss out on gettin’ that paper from the guy who wants something different. I can sit at a shop and do flash all day long!
Hater: Do you ever decline a client? If so what are your reasons?
Color: I have and I will if:
A) They want their girlfriend or boyfriend’s name on them. NO. Don’t do it. You’re eighteen and you’re gonna have plenty more!
B) They are fresh out of high school or are someone who doesn’t have visible tattoos and wants their hands or neck tattooed cause Lil’ Wayne is tattooed head to toe (he has shitty tattoos by the way).
Hater: You are also a well known graffiti artist. Has your graffiti background influenced your tattoo style?
Color: I think it has definitely helped me leap ahead of a normal tattooer’s starting point. I have built a reputation in the streets with graff. Most of the people that got a few of my first tattoos were homies that painted with me! It jumped off from there and helped me start with an enormous base of people who were waiting to get tattooed by me.
Hater: Do you consult with your client first, create a drawing first or do most of your clients pick from a make ready book or wall of images?
Color: We refer to a make-ready design as a piece of ‘flash’. Some people still come in to the shop and pick images off of the wall, and there is nothing wrong with that. Typically, I consult with clients wanting large tattoos to gather their ideas. I then take a tracing of the area they want to tattoo (I do this in case you have a cover up or other existing tattoos to work around) then I collect their information, a drawing fee and set them up with an appointment.
Hater: Have you ever given someone a tattoo and fucked it up?
Color: I worked at a shop called Kash’s in Hiramclarke (what what) and every day was a horror story. That was the closest I ever came to an apprenticeship, and it helped me. Very hard times, and a shit ton of fucked up tattoos! It was my first year or two tattooing and I could not wrap my head around how far out to hang the needle. I was scarring people left and right. Again, this shop had a $10 minimum. Keep this in mind, because it is one of those “You get what you pay for scenarios.”
Shaw’s Tattoo Studio
1660 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006-3658
(713) 528-1255
