Meet Enrique Martinez | Tattoo Artist

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

Hi Enrique, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I believed that the balance between life and work is important, but it depends on each individual and the phase they are in. There have been times in my career when 100% of my time and energy had to be dedicated to my project in order to achieve my goals. But on the other hand , is necessary in my case to establish a balance and dedicate time to other important areas of my live. Flexibility seem to me a key characteristic for any person: knowing how to give 100% when the situation requires it, but also knowing when to relax if necessary and recharge, enjoying what has been achieved and gaining more perspective.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey into the world of tattooing began about 9 years ago and has been a process of constant search and exploration. Initially in my hometown of Alicante, Spain, and Valencia where I studied fine arts. I focused on exploring different styles to later develop a more personal aesthetic, where the predominant style is black and grey, using a dotwork technique to achieve a finish different from the classic black and grey. I never liked limiting myself to a specific style so as not to give up the freedom that art provide us. It has been a long process that has taken me through different cities in Spain ( Alicante, Valencia, Madrid..) and Germany (Berlín, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf..)eventually leading me to move to Los Ángeles, where I have now been for over a year. It hasn’t been easy, but always being clear about my values and goals helped me stay focused and give 100% to grow my project.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
What I love most about this city is the combination of the cultural offerings and diversity of a big metropolis, along with its proximity to nature. For me, both are super important in my daily life. I would start start with a visit to any of the city’s museums or galleries, such as the LACMA, the Broad or Hammer museum. Of course , I would also take advantage of the city’s culinary scene and go to restaurants offering any type of cuisine you can imagine. Another kind of plan that I like is doing one of the famous hikes, such as Runyon Canyon park or the Griffith observatory trail, both offering stunning views of the city, or visit one of the beaches, in particular Malibu and Venice beach.

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?
It’s very difficult to choose just one person, as many people have contributed to my growth. From my early days tattooing Spain, with friends and family who trusted me for my first tattoos, to my fine art teachers, and the artist and clients I have worked with along this journey. But most importantly, I want to thank those closest to me, who have always supported me without hesitation.

Instagram: henry_tatts