Check out Sugar’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sugar.

Sugar, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Originally from Crystal Lake, Illinois, Sugar moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in December 2003. While in Phoenix, he attended the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) for a year. Soon after, he moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, where he attended Coconino Community College, and later Northern Arizona University. In November 2012, Sugar was in an accident, which forced him to retire from body piercing. After his recovery, Sugar began his tattoo apprenticeship. In February of 2014, he officially started tattooing full time. Now Sugar works at Mirror Gallery in the heart of downtown Flagstaff next to Heritage Square.

“My passion that led me to becoming a tattoo artist stemmed from my love for all types of art. All my focus and effort are applied to everything involved with tattooing. My ultimate goal is that my clients feel comfortable, enjoy their tattoo experience, and receive the best tattoo possible.”

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a tattoo artist with a graphic design background. Got into the industry as a body piercer with of love for art on the side which led me to becoming a tattoo artist. Being in the industry I realized I could grow in this crazy world as well as my art if I took the next step and became a tattoo artist.

For me it is important to be part of such a select group of artists who transform one’s body as well as making that person feel the joy and happiness of the transformation. It is also great to have an art medium which the recipient can take to the grave. The art work to me is an expression or interpolation of what inside my head and how I see it. Having the client envision the piece inside their head and then I’m able to bring it to paper/skin in my style but yet still bring it out for them.

Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
The challenge is keeping the real art alive and not falling into the commercialization of are industry. It is important to do the art that makes me. The way I draw and do a tattoo is the way I DO IT some might not like it or think it’s good, that is fine as long as I do it in my style and the way I want it.

Contact Info:

• Address: Mirror Gallery 107 N. San Francisco St. Flagstaff, AZ. 86004
• Website: tattoosbysugar.com
• Phone: 9284405179
• Email: tattoosbysugar@gmail.com
• Instagram: bigsugnasty
• Twitter: sugarBP

Image Credit:
Shot by Sugar
Art work by Sugar

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.