Name: Nate Banuelos 

City: San Diego,CA

Tattoo Shop: Cast and Brand

Let us introduce you to our February SideHustle Artist! 

Nate Banuelos, a tattooer for the past 2 years at Left Hand Black in San Diego, CA… BUT, If you want to find him today, you can check him out at Cast and Brand in San Diego. Nate is not new to the tattoo game, in fact he’s been around for a long time developing a solid reputation in the industry especially when it comes to Biomechanical pieces. 

When it comes to artistic outlets and SideHustles Nate says:  

“I have too many side hustles to name, haha. It’s always been hard for me to stay focused on only one medium of art, I want to do it all. Murals, canvas/panel paintings, pinstriping, and I’m currently teaching myself to metal leaf. I’d love to get into metal art also. That sounds fun.”

Nate shared with us that he believes tattooing gave his art a voice and that he realized that people may love the art done in tattoos, but not necessarily owning it on their body. Some people may want to have the art, but more in the traditional format to hang in their home or business for all to admire and enjoy. Nate continues to share below:

“Side hustle was just a natural progression. There was no conscious thought of needing it, I believe as a tattooer if you aren’t tattooing you should be painting, making flash, studying, anything to keep your skills sharp and stay productive. Also keeps you out of trouble, and eventually someone sees it and wants to buy it. Boom, side hustle is born.”

So how does one find the time to do it all? Nate is no different than the rest of us, he has to get it in where he can fit it in, and that can be any time of day. My favorite quote from Nate about finding time to do art is…. “If you Love it, You’ll find time.” 

Aint that the truth! Read more below about Nate, and some SOLID advice for others with many artistic drives and passions. 

Make sure to PURCHASE A RAFFLE TICKET  to try your luck at Nate's Side Hustle. 

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

Absolutely!!! For some of the reasons I mentioned above. Keep the skills sharp, stay productive and creative, stay out of trouble ( an issue for many artists). Just about any skill or process can be related to tattooing and drawing. Surfboard building taught me that each step leads to the next, so if your starting outline isn’t perfect every step after that will be spent chasing that imperfection. Doesn’t matter what you’re doing, the skills can be applied to your trade of choice.

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?

Not really, No one is going to ever pay me to surf so that’s out.

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

Hard to say. It would be nice to be able to sell paintings enough to be able to slow down tattooing a bit or at least feel like I don’t HAVE to do it. I can also see myself as an old guy at car shows pinstriping hot rods and customs in my “retirement”. Still tattooing has taken me more places than any of those. Art is a hard world to make it in.

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

Do what you love! Don’t do it because of the money. That will come if your own house is in order.

Shoutouts?

Way too many to name. But first my Pops for instilling a good work ethic, and Mom for supporting me wanting to tattoo even though it probably scared the crap out of her. In the early 90’s it was all about Marcus Pacheco, Aaron Cain, Timothy Hoyer, Guy Aitchison, Filip Leu and many more as far as inspiring me in the direction/s I wanted to go.  Adrain Lee, Paco Excel, Ron Earhart, Matt Shamah and the New Skool Kollectiv years for forming and influencing the artist and tattooer I am today. All the artists that I get to work with today that keep inspiring me, like the crew at Left Hand Black. I’ve never been drawn to just one style or genre. There have been so many tattooers, painters and craftsmen/women I have looked up to and was influenced by over the years, they have no idea how important their mark on my world was.

Inspirational or funny Quotes?

I got no quotes or anything but I have found that it's best to keep life clean and do my best to be humble and drama free so I can focus on my craft and growth and not be tied up dealing with bullshit! I’m more available for my clients and those around me. 

Instagram: @natebanuelos