Meriden native works as traveling tattoo artist 

MERIDEN — A metropolis native who acquired his begin creating artwork round his hometown is now working as a touring tattoo artist throughout the nation. 

As a young person, Diego Palmares created logos for metropolis basketball groups and painted murals on buildings and eating places which have since been knocked down. 

“For a very long time, town was stuffed with my artwork,” he mentioned. 

Six years in the past, after working in graphic and clothes design, Palmares began at a tattoo college in New York. After working in New York for 2 years, he began working in Connecticut retailers, together with Turnpike Tattoos and Piercings in Meriden, earlier than being requested to be a visitor at Nasty Tattoos, a tattoo store in Los Banos, California.  After that, he traveled throughout the nation working in Ohio, Colorado, New York and different states.  

Pete Caomo, proprietor of Nasty Tattoos mentioned he usually has visitor artists at his store. 

“He messages me on Instagram and once I noticed his work, I assumed it will be good to have him come out for some time,” he mentioned. “Issues went effectively, our store was very busy.” 

Palmares focuses on black and grey, and cover-up tattoos, however he particularly enjoys creating customized designs. 

“Folks generally include concepts verbally after which I sketch it up,” he mentioned. “To do one thing like that from scratch, the particular person is aware of it’s private to them and nobody else has it. That’s my favourite.”

Throughout his touring, Canvas Journal, a world tattoo journal, featured Palmares in its December 2020 concern. 

“It was actually cool to be featured in there as a result of I’ve solely been tattooing for six years,” the artist mentioned. “Issues have actually picked up quick for me.”

COVID has undoubtedly slowed enterprise, however his networking has helped, he mentioned.  

Palmares mentioned that though each state is totally different, Connecticut has among the strictest tips.

“I attempt to maintain the identical requirements as we do in Connecticut wherever I’m going,” he mentioned.

Wanting forward, Palmares want to some day open a brand new store in Meriden, however first desires to proceed to journey and study.

Rising up, Palmares mentioned he was discouraged from being an artist and needs to be an instance to younger, aspiring artists in his hometown.  

“I didn’t hearken to these folks once I was youthful. If I might’ve listened to these folks, I in all probability wouldn’t be the place I’m now,” Palmares mentioned. “I might like to be somebody folks can know and for youths to look as much as.” 

[email protected]: @faith_williams2