Meet Gloria Centurion: Tattoo Artist & Painter

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

Hi Gloria, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
since i was very young i was drawn to the Arts, and like many an artist before me, i never quite believed it could be a career. i buried my head in art books and art technique and focused on murals, painting and design. and began to gradually develope an income based on my artisctic services.

of course, there was always a skepticism from myself that the arts could make a viable or even respectable career. however, after meeting many different artists with different backrounds and goals, i was inspired to pursue my dream.

i realized that the main goal i had placed for myself was to pursue a career in something i was not passionate about in exchange for a sense of security. so i decided to make the most definitive change of my young life. i took a leap of faith in a creative direction.

so in 2014 i began my journey as a Tattoo artist. after being incrediblyinspired by my own tattoo artists and their magnificent skill set i was determined to pursue this specific medium and learn all about it. i took a year long aprenticeship at a respectable tattoo studio and absorbed as much knowledge as i could. that experience set me on a straight course to where i am today.

today i work at Downtown Tattoo Studio in Oxnard, ca. i work with a group of amazingly talented individuals who are focused on growing and perfecting their skills. they are incredibly inspiring and are a great team to be surrounded by.

i look back at the shacky steps forward i took towards this creative career and realize now there was nothing to have worried so much about. anything that is given 100% will give forth fruitful results. As artists, sometimes we can be our own worst enemy, our own worst critic, but if you dedicate yourself to your craft, you can only succeed!

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.
when it comes to inspiration, i think i draw from my love of mythology, legends and imagination. ive always loved fantasy and scifi and had been inspired by concept art and video game design.

my biggest project to date has been a Magical concept of combining both European and Mexica mystisism in a series of designs i called, The Mexica Tarot.
I am very excited to embark on this journey of connecting both of my roots through a magical perspective. combining my indigenous ancestry with the european folklore that our ancestors brought from across the sea. its as much self discovery as creative concept. so far i have four designs released of a planned thirteen Tshirt design series!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
ventura countyis really wonderful and weather you are single or have children, some of the best places to visit are the beaches, and the many hiking trails all around the county.

we have alot of really great breweries all around as well. one of my favorite places is Enegren Brewery in Moorpark, where they serve all belgian and german style ales and IPAs for the craft beer lovers.

the ventura county art museum in Ventura is always exhibiting new artists from all over, and the Tavern is also agreat place to visit for some live music, and its licated in an old victorian house turned bar and concert hall. 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?
I can definitely acredit my college instructor Christine Morla for filling me with confidence and for helping me to form my identity as an artist, free from prejudice and judgement, and for teaching the enjoyment and creativity of the Arts.

secondly, i would definitely not be here if it were not for my partner, my husband Ricardo. Without his encouragement, and frankly his insistant pushing, i would not have had the courage to jump into the deep end. He gave me the assurance and support necessary to pusue my dreams, and helped me carry and navigate our struggles successfully. I am grateful beyond words.

Website: https://shop.indesignsp.com/gloria_centurion/shop/home

Instagram: @centurionart

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gloria.centurion.9

Youtube: Gloria Centurion

Image Credits
Tom and Jerry reference image was taken by photographer: Alex, IG credits: @88madtoyz