We at Maverick are very excited to share with you our first featured artist with a Side Hustle. You may recall our featured Family Artist in July, Krish Trece. If you haven't… you gotta read it, you won’t be disappointed!

You can find this awesome read in the link BLOG (a little shameless self promo).

Krish wears many hats, not only a tattoo artist, Krish also creates Art prints, street photography, and abstract paintings just to name a few. Krish describes in their interview below when and how they began loving these forms of expression. Please keep reading to learn how Krish got into the side hustle gigs, advice for new tattooers getting into a side hustle, and some awesome shoutouts & quotes. 

If you are interested in being entered to win one of these AMAZING prints made by Krish Trece, please head to our website to purchase a raffle ticket or click the link below.

RAFFLE TICKETS

As mentioned in our previous post regarding the SIDE HUSTLE project, we are raffling off these AMAZING pieces. 

Where do you tattoo? 

I am currently working at 10 Thousand Foxes Tattoo, Brooklyn NY and when I get a chance to visit my home-town, I go to my beloved studio, Karbon Tattoo & Gallery, Madrid, Spain.

What’s your SIDE HUSTLE?

Art Prints! I first started my journey like many other tattoo artists down the illustration path. Here I discovered my passion for drawing, learnt about several art styles and materials I could work with. With time I discovered the art of tattooing and I finally found my calling! This being said, the tattoo industry and the art print movement have always gone hand in hand. It is something I have been doing since I started illustrating as a student and it eventually turned into my Side Hustle.

How’d you get into your side hustle?

I guess it became a true side hustle when I realized there was a demand for my artwork. It is usual practice to exchange prints between other tattoo artists you meet, admire, work with and so on. So it is common that you have your prints as a tattoo artist always available just in case! 

The side hustle happened gradually, I started to realize I would run out of prints at conventions, my clients would start ordering my artwork more frequently and even commissioning custom pieces. My commissions were now not only for their skin, but for their living room! Then suddenly there was a demand not only from my tattoo clients but an actual clientele which was interested in my artwork specifically in print form. This blew my mind and I can't express how happy and grateful I am for all the support I have had, it means so much!

How do you find time to work on your side hustle after tattooing/drawing/running social media and all the other tasks we have as tattooers? 

I'm not going to lie, the time is hard to find BUT it's very important you take any moment you have available to do what makes you happy. Don't get me wrong, I love tattooing and it's my life - but it does take up most of my time, so what I decided to do is illustrate during my time off. When I go on vacation or have a couple of days that I'm completely free; that's when I take the time to illustrate. What sometimes happens with this is, it can take months for me to complete one single print - but it's totally worth it! It's a calming process that I truly enjoy and gives me a chance to complete my creative ideas and aspirations.

You think it’s important for tattooers to have other creative outlets?

I think it's important for any creative person to be curious. In my opinion, having another creative outlet definitely supplements your knowledge and work as a whole. I think what's important here is to be open to trying new creative forms, styles, crafts and materials. You may discover something new you love to do, improve your skills or even meld new techniques you have learned with your existing style. I truly believe that the key is to never stop learning.

Do you have a creative outlet that you’d rather not turn into a hustle? Something just for YOU that helps you escape or relax?

Yes! My two other passions would be street photography and painting abstract expressionism. I discovered my love for street photography when I started living here in NYC. I know this sounds cliché but this city is alive! It's hard not to capture such unique moments and people in this diverse, creative, sometimes slightly eccentric and special city. Every walk I take, I have the camera with me because you just never know! You can find something remarkable in every street you wander and there's definitely so much character and energy in people's simple daily activities. 

My love for abstract expressionism painting came when I was exploring different creative outlets, it was strangely liberating. My mood shifted and I found true value in a completely different creative form as mine. These seem like such contrasting styles, I know! I have learned so much from abstract painting, I'm so grateful I gave it a chance!

Do you have a bigger picture or a vision of where your side hustle could take you?

I just want to have the opportunity to continue doing what I love to do, which is to continue creating. Tattooing is my life and having the opportunity to create art prints just makes the dream even better :)  To know that someone values and loves your art makes me extremely happy and grateful.

Any Advice for Tattooers that are interested in building up a new SIDE HUSTLE?

Give it a try! Although it feels like you won't find the time or it's too much hassle, don't doubt yourself. If you love what you are doing, it will definitely be worth it. There's a good possibility you'll feel happier and more fulfilled as a person so my advice is to go for it!

Shoutouts?

This is perfect actually, because one of my favorite things I would do with my best friend was to spend our Sundays illustrating and working on prints together. I miss that time we used to spend together back in Madrid, so a big shout out to my 'sister from another mister' and also incredible artist: @mimi_tattoo!

Inspirational or funny quotes?

"Alway be yourself. Unless you can be a penguin. Then, ALWAYS BE A PENGUIN!" - The Internet.

Random knowledge drops/closing statements?

Just a HUGE and most sincere THANK YOU to everyone who has believed in me, given me a chance, trusted and valued my work. This "Side Hustle" and my work as a professional tattoo artist wouldn't have been possible without all of this - I'm truly grateful.

How do we find your side hustle?

Please feel free to head over to my Online Store on Big Cartel (www.krishtrece.bigcartel.com) to check out my latest art prints or follow me on @krishtattoo for more updates! Thank you so much!