Meet Jar | Tattoo Artist & Designer

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

Hi Jar, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I always knew that I wanted to start my own company. Funny enough, years ago, I started Jar as a clothing brand with two other partners. We separated years later due to creative differences. Eventually I picked up tattooing after working as an assistant for celebrity tattoo artist Bang Bang Tattoos. I worked at that studio for almost a year where I was able to truly see the culture of the tattoo industry and fall in love with this art form. I made the decision to leave because I felt I had outgrown my time there and pursued an apprenticeship with my good friend Pablo who owned a shop in Staten Island. I also kept in contact with a few of the artists from the shop who were kind enough to offer me advice. Once I finished, I spent a few years working at different shops but quickly learned that I didn’t feel quite comfortable in any of them as a queer person of color and neither did my clients. This inspired me to create my own studio to be able to facilitate a safe space for my clients to feel comfortable while getting tattooed.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I create, I strive to heal my community no matter what medium I am using. I love that my art brings people together and inspires them.

One of my proudest accomplishments was being able to release my own beer in collaboration with The Bronx Brewery which allowed me to choose my own flavors and also plan my own release party. I was able to plan an event catered to the healing of my community and also donate a portion of the sales to a LGBTQ+ center of The Bronx. Aside from this collaboration I was also featured in Inked Mag and Allure Magazine.

Ive been tattooing for 9 years now and it definitely wasn’t easy. There were a lot of times that I wanted to give up, but I could never see myself doing anything else that isn’t art. I’ve learned that with hard work and consistency you can truly accomplish anything. Despite what I went through in life, my love for art and my passion for healing my community always kept me going.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Some of my favorite spots in the city include checking out a few of our museums starting with the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I went to LaGuardia High School for Art so during those years I spent a lot of my time in that particular neck of the woods. I would take them for a stroll through Central Park as we make our way to the Planetarium. After the Planetarium we would make our way to midtown and grab something to eat at Frida Midtown which has amazing Mexican and Peruvian food. At some point we would definitely need to make a stop at Strand book store. I’m a total bookworm and found solace here quite often throughout my years in this city. I’m honestly obsessed with every museum in New York so we would have to make a stop at each and every one. My ultimate favorite being the Museum of the Moving Image. Photography and film are very dear to me and is a favorite past time of mine so I can spend an entire day here.
There are also a lot of hidden gems in my very own borough so I would be sure to bring them there as well. The Bronx is full of a lot of history and culture and beauty that oftentimes goes unnoticed. But we would definitely end the trip where I grew up so I can immerse them in the beauty of the Botanical Gardens. Grab a bite to eat in little Italy and head over to Mott Haven so we can hang out at my studio, get a few brews at the Bronx Brewery, and also explore the awesome shops in the area like this one particular favorite called Lit bar where you enjoy a nice selection of wine while browsing their great selection of books which has an emphasis on writers of color.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I actually wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the women in my life. I need to give a special shoutout to my grandmother who raised me and taught me to always be myself unapologetically. My mother for seeing from a young age my love for art and catering it. She always made sure to fuel that fire and place me in every art program she could find. And my second mother, Aimee Garcia, who happens to be a gifted medium and energy worker and is also my spiritual advisor. She is one of my biggest supporters and also works alongside me at my studio. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the constant love and support that she gives me.

Website: https://www.artbyjar.com

Instagram: @artbyjar