Tattoo artistry is a unique blend of creativity and precision, and few understand this as deeply as Cebu-born artist Sebastian Salvador Valenzuela. From a background in graphics and design to becoming a rising name in the local tattoo scene, Sebastian's journey is one of passion, perseverance, and personal growth. In this exclusive BLNC Magazine interview, we dive into his world of ink, exploring the intricacies of his craft, his artistic inspirations, and how he’s shaping the future of tattoo culture in Cebu.
Sebastian, can you tell us about your journey into the world of tattooing? What inspired you to become a tattoo artist?
Hi! My Name is Sebastian Salvador J. Valenzuela, I was born in Cebu and spent my whole life here in Cebu. I studied Graphics and Design, I love to make illustrations, make portraits and I also paint using acrylics. My uncle gave me a tattoo machine and he told me I should try it and ever since I got my hand on that machine, I fell in love with it. I started to tattoo my lower left arm just to practise and yeah, it’s fun and it’s something I wanna do as my career.
How would you describe your signature style? Are there any particular themes or symbols that often recur in your work?
My style is black and grey, I love how simple and clean it is. I love this style because for me its lasts longer and it ages like fine wine. As of now, Im still building up my style but I really like skulls, medieval and animals.
Cebu has a rich cultural heritage. How does the local culture influence your tattoo designs, if at all?
My tattoos lean more on the modern style and I also like to do some mediaeval stuff. Cebuano tattoos have certain patterns, it is quite similar to Polynesian tattoos. I did some tribal tattoos but it is not really my style, I respect the cultural heritage and I’m proud that our ancestors have tattoos. Now, it evolved as a form of art to express and to be true to ourselves.
Tattooing is both an art and a craft. How do you balance creativity with technical precision in your work?
Ever since, I practised sketching and painting and it really helped me get better in tattooing. I always listen to my client’s requests and I always suggest better designs but still keeping intact the whole idea they have. Everything I learned from graphics and design really gave me a jumpstart for my career in tattooing, it gave me confidence to do better.
Every tattoo artist has a memorable experience with a client. Could you share one of your most meaningful or unique experiences?
There’s this one client we talked a lot on our session, we shared similar interests in arts and games. She came back for more tattoos with her friends. We talked and chatted a lot. I took her out on a date, we shared same feelings. She supports me 100% and helped me grow in my career. She made me better in what I do and I will always be grateful to her. Without her I will never have all this. She gave me reason to be better and to work hard. Her presence gave me inspiration in my career and life.
Tattoo trends come and go. How do you stay true to your artistic vision while adapting to evolving trends in the industry?
To be honest there are some cool trends in tattooing and some that are not. I always suggest better ideas to my clients, the pros and cons to every trend. If they show me this design and I suggest to add my own kind of shading and highlights, this is how I stay true to my vision and to my style in tattooing. I persuade them to have something that will really look good for the long run not just for the sake of hopping on to the latest trend.
What's the most challenging design you've ever worked on, and how did you approach it?
For me the most challenging tattoos I’ve done are portraits. One single mistake can change the whole personality of the face. It is easy to draw portraits on paper but in tattooing you have to be very careful in every move, not to add shade too much and also keeping the whole proportion intact. My approach is to work slowly and build slowly the values while keeping eye on the proportions.
Many people view tattoos as deeply personal expressions. How do you approach the process of understanding and translating your clients' ideas into artwork?
I talk to my clients and listen to everything they say. Some clients have designs that hold much story and life experience. We discuss our designs and edit them on the spot. I ask for their feedback and adjust to whatever they want. I also give my artistic suggestions. It is always a collaborative experience for me and my client.
In terms of skill-building, how do you continue to grow as an artist? Are there any specific techniques or styles you're currently exploring?
I always watch videos about tattooing and asking tips and tricks from my mentor. He taught me a lot through the years and was always grateful. I always analyse and study the tattoos I’ve done, looking for the good parts and the parts that need improvement. Every session is a lesson for me to my strengths and weaknesses.
Cebu is known for its artistic community. How do you see the tattoo culture evolving in the city, and what role do you hope to play in its future?
The Tattoo culture is going very well, more people are accepting tattoos and being open minded about it. Also a lot of aspiring artists nowadays. It feels good that more people are into arts and some people want to learn it. It is a slow process but it is very satisfying once you get the hang of it. In this field of career, I know I'm too young to the industry and I'm just a “new gen” but if ever some artists are inspired to do more and be better because of my videos, I think that is enough for me.
What advice would you give to aspiring tattoo artists who want to break into the industry?
My best advice is to be true to yourself, surround yourself with people who will truly support you. Once you have that, everything will go along, you will have more reasons to focus on your goal. Learn the basic fundamentals of Art. One step at a time, this is not a race. Make each experience a lesson to ponder, look for your mistakes and where you did good.
Finally, what's next for you? Any upcoming projects or collaborations that you're excited about?
More bigger pieces, more lessons to learn. To appreciate art in all forms. I know I have a long way to go but I'm looking forward to being better at tattooing, hopefully becoming one of the legends someday.
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