I met Brandon a few years back over some conversations through Instagram.
He was such an eager artist. It felt so good to connect with someone that was coming up in tattooing and wanted to serve the craft and the client as well as anyone could.
His energy was pure. So much so, I actually invited him up to Art and Sol for some hang time and I actually tattooed one of my favorite tattoos to this day on his leg.
Now, I’m happy to say that we get to work together. Building a future for Art and Sol and for ourselves and our families, while serving the craft of tattooing and the clients that trust us every single day.
I thought a little interview might help you get to know him better. The way I know him.
So enjoy a few moments with our newest Tucson Tattoo Artist at Art and Sol Tattoo- Brandon Hernandez.
The Art and Sol Deep Dive with Brandon Hernandez
Lets jump right into Brandon
Everyone has that one moment where they realized a normal life wasn’t for them. What was the first thing you saw, or the first win you had, that made you realize you belonged in a creative environment ?
BH- Ever since I was a kid, I always had a pencil in my hand. People would ask me to draw things, and I’ll never forget the look on their faces when they saw what I could do. That feeling of creating something that surprised people stayed with me. I chased it, and it led me to tattooing.
I’ve lived the 9 to 5 life, and it never felt right. It made me feel like I had no value. I knew that’s not where I belonged.
If someone sees your work how do they know it’s yours? What is a detail you’re obsessed with getting right before you consider a task done?
BH- Im always told how most of my illustrative designs look like stickers due to my linework style so thats how alot of my work is recognized. As far as details im obsessed with, im a stickler when it comes to line weights. I also HAVE TO make sure my darks are fully saturated especially if its primarily black work.
What’s actually happening at your station when youre in the zone? What’s the music? Are you a deep focus/silent type, or do you need the energy of the room to do your best work?
BH- 90% of the time, I’m basically part tattoo artist, part comedian, part therapist. I’m talking, joking, and getting to know my clients while the music bounces from rap (back when it slapped) to punk, metal, and somehow… pop sneaks in. If we’re laughing and vibing the whole session, we did it right.
We talk a lot about being the most thoughtful shop in America. Tell me about a time you realized your role was more than just the job. How do you handle it when the pressure is on and a client (or the shop) needs something extra from you?
BH- I’ve been around a lot of loss, especially from suicide, and that kind of stuff changes you. You start paying attention when someone says they’re “fine” a little too fast.
I had someone come in who was going through it bad. Like, standing on the edge bad. She told me cutting was the only thing that helped.
I told her, “Nah… come get tattooed instead.”
She said she was broke.
I said, “Cool, still come through.”
Some things just matter more than money.
We did the tattoo, and I’m telling you, that smile after? Genuine. Like she finally caught a break from everything in her head.
Moments like that stay with you.
Don’t get me wrong, I want to get paid. I like eating and paying rent. But if I can use what I do to make someone’s day a little lighter, or pull them out of a dark spot for a bit… I’m doing that every time.
At the end of the day, it’s not just tattoos.
It’s a little bit of therapy with a needle.
We’ve all hit a wall where something isn’t clicking or the day feels like it’s fighting you. When you hit that wall, what’s your move? How do you get the train back on the tracks without losing your cool?
BH- As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that when a day is absolutely fighting me, I start cleaning like I’m preparing for a surprise inspection that no one asked for. It keeps my mind focused and gives me a sense of control when everything else feels chaotic.
If I can’t fix the day, at least my place is spotless. I’m also a big nerd, so video games are my other go-to. When life gets messy, I just hit pause, grab a controller, and go win somewhere else for a bit before coming back reset.
What’s your white whale you’re currently chasing? Is there a specific skill, a system, or a subject matter or style you’re losing sleep over trying to figure out in the next six months?
BH- I would have to say hyper realism and maybe portraits
You have a sudden hour of downtime and your to do list is clear. What is your move to stay productive or improve the shop environment?
BH- If I’m not drawing, I’m studying. If I’m not studying, I’m upgrading. Always looking for ways to level up my craft and make the shop run smoother.
You’ve seen places that work and places that are a mess. what is the Thing that makes a shop feel like a world class kind of place rather than just a workplace?
BH- i love building a connection and watching how fast a “one-time appointment” turns into “yo, when you got time again?”
People don’t just come back for ink, they come back for the experience. The jokes, the talks, the whole vibe.
Alot of artists get painted like we’re all unapproachable, but some of us are out here running a tattoo shop and a comedy podcast at the same time.
What do you do when you aren’t at the shop or drawing? What’s the hobby or passion that has nothing to do with the shop, but somehow makes you better when you’re back in the building?
BH- I love flying drones. It’s probably the nerdiest thing I do, but there’s something unreal about it. Standing on the ground while I send a camera soaring to the top of a mountain, seeing views most people never will, all from a bird’s-eye perspective… it’s addictive. It clears my head in a way nothing else does. I might drain every battery I brought with me, but somehow it recharges my creativity every single time.
If you are looking to book a new color tattoo, black and grey tattoo, pop culture tattoo, cute animated tattoo, horror tattoo or any nerdy tattoo concepts you can imagine
Whether you live in Tucson, Sahuarita, Marana, Vail, Oro Valley, Art and Sol isn’t hard to find.
We are currently located inside the Moto Sonora Brewing taproom located at 1015 S Park Ave Tucson Arizona 85719