In a tattoo scene that’s constantly expanding and reinventing itself, a family-run shop in Cebu is keeping things old-school. Flash is king at Los Carlos Tattoos Studio. “We like to emulate how old tattoo parlors used to do it. Clients walk in and pick flash designs off the wall,” says Micah, who manages and co-owns the shop with her husband Carlos.
Modern convention has it that tattoos are custom-made for the clients. The process of designing starts with the client presenting their ideas to the tattoo artist, who then refines the concept into an artwork inked on the client’s body. Although this is still an option at the studio, Carlos Canga, co-owner and lead artist, encourages clients to select their artists’ flash designs.
Flash tattoos began in the circus trade, where tattooed women and men were part of the spectacle alongside clowns, acrobats, and magicians. Tattoo artists would hang their designs to grab people’s attention. Tattoo shops with premade designs were the norm for a while, American traditional tattoo designs being the most popular.
Carlos and Micah’s Baby
Los Carlos Tattoos is a baby compared to the more established shops around the city—literally a year old from when they set up shop, but husband and wife Carlos Canga and Micah Almazan-Canga are not new to the scene. They’re both avid collectors of tattoo pieces. “I can’t draw for the life of me. But I love it because the more I get tattooed, the more I feel like myself,” Micah, a writer by craft, collects Japanese traditional and neo-traditional style tattoos. Carlos, on the other hand, has been immersed in art all his life and has gotten his tattooing advice from recognized artists like Ann Savage, Joe Black, and Carlo Gabiana for years.
READ: Tattooing, Leading, and Mothering: Can a Woman Have It All?
Before becoming a full-time tattoo artist, Carlos worked in fashion and apparel with a local company. One takeaway from fashion that he appreciates, beyond the aesthetic sense and beauty fashion instills, is how to run a business. “Tattoo artists forget that it is still a business,” Carlos admits. Creativity and business acumen have to go hand in hand if one wants to thrive in this industry, and somehow, after four years of the grind and counting, he’s running his own shop with his wife, able to keep the lights on and pay their artists right. “Most people separate work and life. There’s no difference for me. It’s a rare thing, so I’m grateful.”
Hitting the right balance has given the couple a comfortable life and a great community. “I’ve gotten to meet wonderful people outside the country from the tattoo community. Huge thanks also to Ann Savage and Joe Black for being our biggest supporters when it comes to broadening our horizons,” Carlos adds.
Let Artists Thrive and Clients Feel at Home
There’s always someone running the show behind your beloved mom-and-pop shops, and at the studio, it’s Micah. As the manager responsible for meeting their clients’ needs, it is important for her to give them a good environment. “We want our clients to come to us not just because they like our artists’ work and style, but also because they like us as people. “All these little details are meant to make a big impact,” Micah stresses the value of good service. Prompt and timely replies to inquiries, a nice-smelling studio with great decor, and of course, a clean bathroom with everything a client will need.
Together, they’ve built a studio that feels less like a shop and more like a shared living room for tattoo enthusiasts.
“We want our studio to be that tattoo shop that has ready-made designs that you can pick from.” Carlos strives to push flash designs that he and the resident artists in the studio make for their artists to flourish. Micah weighs in, expressing the intention to nurture an environment that helps their artists develop their individual tattoo styles.
“But finding your art style doesn’t mean that people will like it, so there’s a struggle between drawing what you love and tattooing what you like drawing,” Carlos points out. And yet he emphasizes how finding one’s niche and style, consistently drawing, and tattooing to sharpen your skill are elements that make a great tattoo artist.
For the aspirants who want to get into the business of tattooing, he vouches for getting tattooed by people you look up to and admire—“pick their brain for advice on business, art, and technique.”
So, You’re Getting Your First Tattoo?
For someone planning to get their first tattoo, Micah recommends looking for artists who match your design or preferred style. “Don’t ask the guy who does American traditional to do a realism portrait on you and vice versa—unless they do both styles.” She also advises inquirers to message the studio page instead of the artist.
Heavily tattooed people and tattoo artists may seem intimidating, but they’re actually some of the nicest people you will meet. According to Micah, haggling is not beyond them, as long as it’s within reason and a client is nice about it. “And if you regret it (your design) down the line, we’re always here to cover it up,” Micah jests with a laugh.
Get inked with the coolest flash designs by Carlos and their resident artists. Visit their studio at Los Carlos Tattoo Studio, Teresita Apartment, Jasmin Street, Capitol Site. You can reach them through Facebook, Instagram, or at loscarlostattoostudio@gmail.com.
