Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Barrera.
Hi Carlos, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Thirteen years ago, I was just a single dad, attending college while working a full time job. I started tattooing out of my house, trying to figure it all out. I didn’t know where it would take me, but I knew I loved it. Eventually, I realized this wasn’t just a hobby — it was my passion. So I took it seriously. I found a real apprenticeship, learned the fundamentals, and dedicated myself to getting better every day.
But I didn’t stop there. I went out and learned from 7–8 different tattoo artists, each with their own unique style. I studied, asked questions, and soaked up everything I could — because I didn’t want to be average. I wanted to be great.
In January , I traveled to Japan and visited the Kyoto Manga Museum. I saw an artist drawing straight from imagination — no reference, just pure skill. When I asked how he got there, he told me, “I draw 2–4 hours a day. Every day. For the past 5–6 years.” That lit a fire in me.
Since then, I’ve been waking up at 4:30 a.m. to get in 2–3 hours of drawing every single morning. Not because I have to — but because I care. Because your tattoo matters. Especially your first one.
When someone comes to me for their first tattoo, I know it’s not just ink. It’s a memory, a milestone, a piece of who they are. And I want to make sure they walk away proud, knowing they trusted the right artist.
Everyone has one job in life. Mine is to be the best tattoo artist I can be — for myself, and for you.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When other artists started slandering me for working from home, it hit hard — but it didn’t break me. It lit a fire. Their words didn’t stop me; they sharpened me. I used that negativity as fuel to push harder, learn more, and stay locked in on my goals. I made it my mission to grow so much that one day, their clients would be walking through my doors. That drive — to prove I could be better — gave me the discipline, the focus, and the hunger to turn doubt into dominance.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve specialized in fine line floral work for the past three years, and have been developing my Japanese-style tattoos for the last two. More recently, I’ve been diving into bio-organic designs and spent a solid year studying realism and color realism. But I realized that if I truly wanted to elevate my art, I needed to go deeper — so I hit pause on tattooing for a while and focused on figure drawing and learning how to build animals from fundamental shapes.
That shift wasn’t easy. It’s been one of the hardest parts of my journey — stripping things back to the basics and starting from scratch. But once I started seeing the results… everything changed. Now, I’m starting to memorize forms, and it’s becoming easier to draw straight from imagination. That freedom — to create without reference — is opening doors I never thought possible. And I’m just getting started.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
When I started this journey, I didn’t have a mentor waiting, a golden opportunity handed to me, or a path laid out. What I did have was hunger — and a partner who believed in me.
My wife has been by my side since the very beginning. She’s more than support — she’s part of the reason I’m here. We used our kids’ tax return to pay for my very first apprenticeship. That moment wasn’t just a financial decision — it was a declaration of belief in my future. She saw the vision before anyone else did. And I carry that with me every day.
What worked for me was simple — but not easy. Money. Unfortunately, every learning experience I had to pay for. There were no shortcuts, no handouts, no free game. I invested in myself. My first apprenticeship cost us. So did every advanced lesson after that. But I paid. Every time. Because I understood something most people never realize:
Mastery demands a price. And I was willing to pay it.
My last few mentors were some of the best in the field — elite-level artists at the top of their craft. Learning from them required even more money, more sacrifice. But you don’t get access to greatness without putting something on the line. As Robert Greene says, “Those who rise to the top do not avoid the pain of discipline; they embrace it.” I saw every dollar spent as an investment — not just in skill, but in identity. I wasn’t buying lessons — I was becoming the artist I was meant to be.
So yes, it cost me. But it also gave me something priceless: a foundation built on purpose, sacrifice, and unwavering belief. Not just mine — but hers too.
And today, when someone sits in my chair for their first tattoo, they’re not just getting ink.
They’re getting a piece of that journey.
They’re getting years of paid dues, sleepless nights, early mornings, and a promise I made long ago — to become the best at what I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.koidragontattoo.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/koidragontattoos
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/koidragontattoo
- Other: https://allmylinks.com/juan-c-barrera1989
