Mutual Aid Tattoo Artist

Amina Ahmed, Quinn McClurg

Gomez Alejo defines themselves as a transmasc, Indigiqueer, and multimedia “jack of all trades artist.” And their arms are almost completely full with their own tattoos. Raised in poverty, Gomez formed their artistic habits early on, holding onto paper scraps for collages, trinkets for sculptures, and sewing supplies for altering their clothes themselves. Skilled in just about every discipline of art, Gomez’s body of work centers on themes of decolonization, breaking generational cycles, and abstract self-exploration—all greatly informed by the aesthetics of classical art and horror, rococo and anime, and their own cultural backgrounds and communities. Each of Gomez’s friends has at least one of their tattoos and patches; when they visit, Gomez is always sure that no one leaves with an empty stomach. You can find their work online at @sancti__ on Instagram and Tiktok!

How did you decide to start your tattooing career and what was the journey like until now? Why didn’t you want to start at an actual tattoo shop?

Gomez: Honestly, I just wanted more tattoos, but was too broke to afford them. One day, I thought to myself, “Well, you DIY basically everything else; why not tattoos?” and I bought a cheap beginner machine online [with COVID stimulus money] shortly after. I started practicing on myself, and after gaining a bit more confidence in my work, [I started tattooing] my friends too. I [first] suggested trades in lieu of money, as I’m a firm believer in the bartering system, and the idea of mutual aid tattoos was born from there! In terms of renting an *actual* shop space, I have an entire free room in my basement. Why purchase a spot when I can work from home?

What are the advantages to a mutual aid system rather than direct monetary payment?

G: A huge advantage (to me at least), was finding a new way to serve my community. Being disabled and autistic, I’m susceptible to burnout pretty quickly; I can’t have my boots on the ground and participate in actions the way I used to, so I adapted. A majority of us queer / trans folks are struggling to make ends meet, sacrificing things such as gender-affirming care in order to afford to live, and I wanted to kill two birds with one stone, if that makes sense. Gender-affirming care can be so much more than hormones or surgery—it can be haircuts, waxing, and body modifications like piercings or, you guessed it, tattoos. I’m also happy to help alleviate financial stress for my clients while also allowing them to feel good in their bodies—I mean, the main reason I started tattooing is because I couldn’t afford getting them done otherwise. Additionally, I just love the idea of trading—I blast your skin, and, in exchange, you can give me a trinket, bake me some bread, or just owe me a favor in the future. Whatever you believe has value, I’ll happily accept!

Currently, who is your clientele? Are you looking for anything more specific?

G: Well, I try to be open and accept everyone, but my fellow queers always flock to me—I will always take priority of BIPOC though. I remember watching this show called “Ink Master” growing up, and every season, there was at least one contestant who would complain about being paired up with “canvases of color.” They would make remarks (often while standing next to black and brown contestants, most of which were tatted up) about how “darker skin is too hard to tattoo.” It always got me heated—so when I started up my side hustle, my immediate thought was, “I wanna be a jack of all trades tattoo artist and master as many styles as I can, but BIPOC will always be put at the front of the line.” And that’s how it’s been since. With that, not only do I get to show time and time again that that ridiculous, racist stereotype is indicative of poor technical skill, but I also get to meet a lot of really cool local BIPOC queers in the process! Yay [for] comradery in your community!

Have you always known that art is what you wanted to do? What advice would you give to those still exploring their style and who they might be?

G: I was always told growing up that any type of art-based career was unrealistic and a side hustle at best, so I never tried to pursue it. I always kept it in my back pocket, though, and I’m glad I did. There are so many aspects of my art I never would’ve gotten the pleasure of meeting if I hadn’t continued to find it in myself and the world around me, ya know? Let's be real: if I hadn’t stopped what was expected of me and started exploring myself, I probably would still be going by “she/her” and pretending to be straight. Long story short: NEVER STOP EXPLORING YOURSELF OR YOUR ART!

When redrawing other tattoos or designing your own, what are the largest influences on your style?

G: I’m a really big horror and sci-fi fan, so I find a lot of influence there, on top of other local tattoo artists, like @twincityphatom or @fathertats on Instagram for example. Also anime (particularly Soul Eater, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and Neon Genesis Evangelion) and, surprisingly, drag performers (shoutout Abhora, Mok Basterd, and Jarvis Hammer). Whenever I’m given a specific photo / concept to follow, I always try to throw a little bit of myself in there. In my work, you’ll find plenty of fluid, organic shapes. But also lots of points. And scary things. But also sometimes cute things. And silly things. Honestly, it's just a lot of whatever I’m feeling at the moment.

How do your identities influence your life and work as an artist? How do they interact with each other?

G: I have years of trauma-informed care training, both from personal experience, and from the career path I’ve gone down. I’ve found my experiences with chronic trauma (personal and intergenerational) has helped me understand the complexities of navigating through [a tattoo] with a neurodivergent mind, which a lot of my clients [have]. While these experiences have caused great paint, they've also helped me foster a safe and affirming space for whoever chooses to visit. A lot of my clients have sensory needs as well, so I do what I can to make an already traumatizing experience on the body feel more sensory friendly—I have some fun lighting, emergency snacks, and just about every streaming service on my TV. You get remote privileges too, so putting on your comfort show / movie is always encouraged. I’m also working on getting some stim toys just to further that sensory friendly experience!

Any advice for new and aspiring tattoo artists?

G: I know this sounds way easier said than done, and in some ways it is (like financially for example), but you just gotta get yourself a machine and start practicing; you can’t be a tattoo artist without picking up a machine first. You’d be surprised how many people out there are willing to let you experiment on their skin.

Where would you like to go from here?

G: I’m honestly not sure if an actual tattoo shop is in the cards for me, but it’s not a concrete no; but that’s mainly because I don’t actually know what’s in the cards for me period. I’m just existing and expressing myself artistically in every way I can, whatever direction that takes me is the direction I’m heading. Who knows, I may be a famous drag performer one day, a world renowned painter, or, ya know, just some guy. As long as I can continue on with my art and surround myself with the people I love, I’m happy.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

G: WE NEED MORE BIPOC TATTOO ARTISTS AND PIERCERS!!!!! <3