Isaac Becerra

As an artist there have been challenges that I've faced but the unique thing about them is that I choose to take them on because I care about my work. It's a privilege to be an artist, let alone a tattoo artist. From the moment I picked up a pencil I knew I wanted to create. There was a want to examine everything around me and prove to myself that I too can make those things come to life by drawing them.

Born in Southern California my influences were vast. I spent a lot of my time diving head first into my interests. If I have an interest in a subject I'll dissect it to its core. Allowing me to understand it and learn more which usually leads me to new things! At a young age I wanted to be able to live off of making art everyday that people would appreciate. Upon expressing this, that's when my dad introduced me to the world of tattooing. I began to study my favorite artists and the influences they had, along with the work I wanted to do.

I started to oil paint to prepare myself for the challenges I would face as a tattoo artist and continued to further my work hoping to begin in the tattoo industry. The earlier years of my adult life consisted of art shows and constant drawing. When I wasn't working I was vending at different shows around California selling my art. I was given opportunities to talk to artists I had admired for years and realized I need to really focus and devote myself to art full time. Being in California was trying for me and I decided to move to Montana to pursue my art and really understand my abilities as an artist. Moving to Missoula I found Montana Tattoo Company and really admired the work here. I felt the same kind of respect and understanding for art that I have in this business and decided to get tattooed here. Now a year later it's a privilege to be an apprentice under Mickey Schlick. This is the opportunity that my younger self spent all that time working for, and the best part is the real work is just getting started. I can't wait to further my growth and see my art grow alongside this company through the years.