Community Highlights: Meet Manny Hernandez of Hand of Faith Tattoo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Manny Hernandez.

Hi Manny, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Manny Hernandez. I started tattooing in the valley about 12 years ago. I did my apprenticeship in the South Scottsdale/North Tempe area at a place called Americana Tattoo under a guy named Dave Ritchie. I’m forever grateful to that man for teaching me and getting me into tattooing as he did.

It, unfortunately, closed down and was sold off right after I finished up my apprenticeship, so I naturally just went off on my own and started working at a few shops in the valley over the last decade before opening Hand of Faith Tattoo three years ago. I worked in downtown Glendale, for a little over a year in the beginning and moved out to the East valley after a bit, which is where I grew up. I worked at Urban Art Tattoo for Sage O’Connell, who was another major influence on me. From there, I bounced around to a couple of other spots really trying to find my way around and get the best I could. I always promised myself to not open a shop until I had been tattooing for at least 10 years so right about when I hit that mark I decided to go ahead and open my own place.

Before I had decided to do so, I worked at a place downtown for two years or so, called 27 Tattoo Studio which was probably my favorite place I ever worked and if I hadn’t decided to open my own spot I would have more than likely stayed there for a long while. The owners there really opened my eyes to how a shop could be run, in a whole new way I’d never really experienced. So it really helped me propel Hand of Faith into what it is today.

So from there I just tried to make a space in which I want people to be the most comfortable, not just from a business standpoint but a place where clients and everyone who works there feels like it’s “home.” And I’m super stoked to see where it is at the moment and hope it continues to blossom into more, not only for me and the guys who work there but for all our clients new and returning.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
As far as things being smooth sailing or not, I would say it’s been a mix of both, everything in the world has its ups and downs, from places you work to the friendships and business relationships you build and that sometimes fizzle out, but it happens to everyone, regardless of what career field you are in. I’ve met someone or the best people in my life because of those times so I can’t be too bummed about that!

But tattooing as a whole has kept me really grounded from the beginning. Outside of tattooing, there were definitely a lot of struggles going on in my life when I was younger but it was always the constant that helped pull me back to reality and realize things aren’t so bad. My apprenticeship was very traditional and I was an apprentice for about a year, maybe a year and a half, which is short, compared to most but I wasn’t allowed to have a second job, didn’t get paid, and was there opening and closing most days from 11 am to 11 pm. But again doing that apprenticeship and having it turn tattoos into my life, helped me get through all the outside static that wasn’t involved in the career path I had chosen, so I’m super grateful for that.

Aside from those personal things, I think in general tattooing isn’t as smooth as it seems, most tattooers make it look easy cuz we’re supposed to, haha. But it’s hard every time I do it. This is why I love it so much, it constantly pushes me to be better. Being a tattooer isn’t just drawing and putting those doodles on people, it’s a lot of time management, scheduling, balancing home life and work-life, etc.

And sometimes getting in creative ruts too. So there’s a lot to it, but I wouldn’t change it for the world, and I love doing it every time I get to. I’d say smooth on the outside, but can be hectic beneath the surface some days.

We’ve been impressed with Hand of Faith Tattoo, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
So Hand of Faith, sometimes I feel like that place definitely makes my life and career feel smooth, to follow up the last question. Just the environment that it has turned into with the guys that are there is amazing! Jared Hallenbeck, (@constvntheadache) who can literally do the most styles of tattooing, has been there for a little over two years. And has one heck of a laugh and keeps everything light-hearted and entertaining. He’s been tattooing for eight years and brings a lot of experience to the table and the core of the crew.

Andrew Morales, (@ihateandrewmorales) has been tattooing for five years is one of the younger guys who work with us and just brings so many new things to the table as far as influences and new stuff goes, his customer service, and how he treats people when they’re sitting with him is second to none. Avelourd Legaspi, (@avelourdtattoos) has been tattooing for nine years or so and has been a constant in my life and career since the beginning. He was learning at one of the shops I tattooed at so we just always stayed in touch, and now he works at the shop bringing in a lot of large-scale Japanese style work which is insane to be able to look at and watch him work.

He brings a lot of power into his tattoos and I feel like that being his style, he shows us so many different ways to approach tattooing at a different angle, it’s pretty fun to be a part of. John Alvarado (@justjohntattoos) is the “new guy” but he’s been doing tattoos across the US for about five years and is just a solid all-around great tattooer but loves doing traditional-style American stuff with his twist in modern images. And also has a way with his clients that makes them feel right where they need to be, comfortable and relaxed.

I guess if there is one thing that does set us apart from most places in the valley, it would be the experience overall, not just the service of getting tattooed, but we try and make every person feel like they can be a part of tattooing just as much as we can. We greet everyone at the door and see lots of return clientele. And I think it has a lot to do with everything that is going on inside of that room when you’re there. I don’t necessarily know what it is, but I just know that we’re doing what we do and we’re always trying to make everyone feel as welcome as possible. Style-wise most of us do some form of traditional tattooing whether that be, American, Japanese, black and grey, or color.

We really just try and cover all bases, but deliver it in a way we feel will look the best for the longest amount of time and work with our styles individually. And that being said if it’s something we can’t do, we usually try and refer people to someone who can do it the best somewhere in the metro area. So I guess the only way to really experience what we have going on in the shop is to come in, even if it’s just to say hey and check it out, come get your first tattoo, or add to your collection anyone and everyone is always welcome!

What’s next?
As far as what the future holds for me and Hand of Faith, I don’t really know, I just hope we are around for as long as we can be. I think it’s important especially right now to just go with the flow and let life lead you where you need to go, and I think the shop just has this thing that seems to grow and move exactly how it needs to when the time comes.

Contact Info:

• Email: Handoffaithtattoo@gmail.com
• Website: Handoffaithtattoo.com
• Instagram: @handoffaithtattoo
• Facebook: Facebook.com/handoffaithtattoo