Photo By Sgt. Alexander Neely | A tattoo portrait of Michael Jordan by Erick Holguin, a former Soldier who admits,...... read more read more
EL PASO, Texas - Among the art-covered walls and ever-present music of the House of Pain Tattoo shop, Erick Holguin sits hunched on a stool, contemplating the finality of a chest and shoulder tattoo.
Holguin’s tattoo machine, an extension of his right arm, mechanically purrs. His eyes scan every inch of line and shading. The study is done with the calm nature of an expert; but as the artist who has been tattooing for only three years admits, the discipline was built years ago in the military.
Holguin, an El Paso native, was born in 1989 into a self-described “family of artists.” His paternal grandfather, Joe Holguin, seemed to “always have a pencil in his hand,” drawing cartoons and various other pieces.
Yet most of all, Holguin fondly recalls watching his father, Victor, sketch countless works. And it was in these father-son moments Holguin learned about drawing and discovered a passion. He began to study various artists and mediums. The fervent amateur even confesses he could not open his eyes without studying shapes, a “problem” he claims to still have to this day.
Holguin admitted he would have pursued art as an occupation, if he knew such an option existed. Instead he enlisted in the U.S. Army and arrived at Fort Knox, Ky., for Basic Combat Training in 2008. Holguin, at the time a recent high school graduate, said he occasionally found the experience overwhelming, based on the amount of personal growth one must undergo during training.
“Being there, I was forced to mature to such a professional standard,” said Holguin, affectionately laughing at the memories of disciplinary moments. “The atmosphere also helped me so much in a social way; just having to learn how to speak with so many different types of people.”
Upon graduation, Holguin was sent to Fort Gordon, Ga., for Advanced Individual Training. The 18-week course certified Holguin as a Signal Support Systems Specialist, and from there, sent him to Fort Stewart, Ga., to join the 3rd Sustainment Brigade.
His time in Georgia was short-lived though, as he was deployed to Iraq for 12 months. The experience, which had its personal obstacles, is one Holguin said he will never forget.
“I never thought about tattooing professionally. I didn’t know you could, to be honest, but in Iraq some soldiers saw my artwork, and suggested I start tattooing. So I spent the rest of my free time deployed researching techniques and studying artists like Bob Tyrrell, Jack Rudy and Freddy Negrete,” said Holguin.
When Holguin returned to Georgia, he had a year left on his military contract and an ardent determination to become a tattoo artist.
Holguin’s “fortunate break” came in the form of a part-time job at Tattoos by Pete in Richmond Hill, Ga. The job, which he attended after work or on the weekends, gave Holguin the opportunity to hone tattoo fundamentals and create a style of his own.
“I love the classic feel of black and gray, and when you can do a black and gray piece and make it pop, I feel like that’s when you have arrived,” said Holguin.
And according to several in the tattoo industry, Holguin has arrived. At only 23 years old, Holguin is sponsored by Eddy Munster and recently won first place in the “Best Religious Tattoo” category and second in “Best Back Piece” at the annual Texas Showdown Festival in El Paso, July 19-21.
“Erick may make it look easy,” said Ben Kelly, a tattoo artist at House of Pain, “but what you don’t see about him, unless you know him, is that he’s one of the hardest working people in the business.”
Holguin, who partially credits his devout discipline to his military experience, draws and studies daily. Additionally, he is a student of his own work.
“Once I finish a tattoo, I take a picture so over the next few days, I can study every detail. Maybe I see I could have done something with shading or lining, but either way I’m getting better,” said Holguin.
“Getting better” is his main focus. Not only does he aspire to teach the general public of the limitless possibilities of tattooing, but for him “there is no better feeling than giving a customer what they want.
“A man asked me to tattoo a portrait of his kids and his wife, who recently passed in a car crash, as angels on his chest,” said Holguin, never breaking eye contact. “After I finished, he looked in the mirror and broke down, and I couldn’t help but get emotional.”
On this day though, there are only smiles, as Holguin and customer both revel in relief. For the artist, the chest and shoulder piece is deemed complete, and for the canvas, finality marks the last visit by a needle.
Holguin takes a picture and shakes hands with the customer, who walks out of House of Pain with a youthful exuberance; chest pronounced and a staple grin. The artist, however, is examining the picture of his most recent piece.
| Date Taken: | 07.25.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.25.2013 13:56 |
| Story ID: | 110821 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 2,187 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Life after formation: Veteran finds success in tattoo art, by SGT Alexander Neely, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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