Meet Sailor Gio | Tattoo artist

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

Hi Sailor, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
For as long as I can remember, I always knew that my path in life would be linked to art. When I was little and at school we were asked what we wanted to do when we grew up, most of the children answered with common professions, such as doctor, fireman, policeman or veterinarian. But I answered without hesitation that I wanted to be a Disney cartoonist. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be an artist.
While the other children played during snack time, I was in my room drawing stories of princesses in distress. Drawing was my way of having fun, of feeling fulfilled, and also a way of escape from a social situation that did not understand my way of being. I tell this story because since I was very young, art and creativity have always been present in my life, both personally and professionally.
I can’t conceive of life without pursuing a job related to art, a job that makes me happy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
“Delicate lines, soft shadows, precise details and a lot of style”. That’s what my tattoos are like.

For 7 years now, I have been happy to make a living from what I am really passionate about: creating exclusive and unique works of body art for each client. Each tattoo reflects feelings, emotions and stories from the past and present. In addition, receiving the gratitude of the clients who have trusted in my work is a great reward. This motivates me to keep improving and creating art that has a significant impact on their lives.

What sets me apart and makes me a special tattoo artist is the way I treat my clients during the whole process. I make sure they feel comfortable, confident and excited to experience a moment that takes them out of the routine. It is not a cold and technical experience; on the contrary, it is a warm experience full of emotions. I have witnessed tears of happiness and sadness when they get something emotional tattooed. It is wonderful to be able to dedicate this time for them to connect with themselves, a process of self-love that is already rewarding for me.

At a critical moment in my life, two factors coincided that led me to make a drastic decision. I did not feel fulfilled as an artist in the job I had held for more than 8 years. In addition, I had an operation pending that would force me to take a six-month break. These two factors prompted me to react to my situation and decide to leave my comfort zone to start a new path.
I ventured to leave everything and start from scratch my path as a tattoo artist. It was a moment of hard reflection that taught me to take risks in search of happiness.

From my own experience, I believe that in order to achieve your goals you have to take certain risks. You have to be brave and follow what you really want. In my case, I had to leave behind my position as an art director, which offered me financial stability. I also had to ignore the negative opinions of people close to me about the decision I had made and be true to myself. In the end, if you don’t risk, you don’t win.

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.
What an interesting question, hahaha! You don’t know how much I enjoy going out and having fun in Madrid. The first thing I would do upon arrival would be to take you to “La Duquesita” for the best chocolate palmeras for breakfast. Afterwards, we could spend the morning exploring the temporary exhibitions in the small art galleries in the charming neighborhood of Chueca. And to top off the morning, we could enjoy a few vermouths or beers in the lively Malasaña neighborhood.
For lunch, I would take you to “Casa Macareno” to try the best croquettes in town, and then we could relax with a Chai Latte at “Toma Café”. In the afternoon, we could enjoy 15-minute plays at the Micro Teatro or perhaps attend a musical on Gran Via. And to top off the day, we could have some delicious patatas bravas for dinner at “La Esperanza” in Anton Martin.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The unconditional support of my family has been fundamental in my path, although at the beginning they were not convinced that I should dedicate myself to the world of tattooing, as they saw it as an unstable profession. However, they prioritized my happiness.
I am very grateful to all those people who have been and continue to be by my side: friends, ex-boyfriend, ex-workmates, current colleagues (who are my best friends) and my boyfriend, who always offers me very wise advice 🙂

Instagram: @sailor_gio

Other: Email
Sailorgio_tattoo@gmail.com

Tik tok
@sailorgio_tattoo

Image Credits
Sailor Gio