Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Makara.
Steve, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I was born and raised in Lowell. As a kid, I grew up drawing superheroes and monsters. My great uncle always used to bring me to art museums in the area. My love of art always had me dabbling in ways to express myself. From drawing on clothing to doing logo design which brought me into my high school years. At the age of 19, I got my first tattoo and that sparked my love of tattooing. In 2001, I bought my first tattoo machines. I went through some ups and downs in the learning process of tattooing because I was self- taught and it was very hard to break into the industry. In 2006, I got injured at my full-time job not knowing that it would open up the greatest opportunity in my life. Tattooing not only became my career but also my life long passion. Thanks to my friend, Eric Chouinard he thought of me when he was asked if he knew any tattoo artists looking for a job at a new shop. His friend, Dave McCormick gave me an apprenticeship. After that, I got licensed and managed a tattoo studio in Nashua, New Hampshire for a few years. That’s where I met my best friend J Casaubon who, along with a couple of other artists, helped me open my own tattoo studio in 2014. The Ink Club Tattoo Studio in Billerica, Massachusetts has been my home ever since.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My art is being able to pick someone’s brain to help them design a vision then putting a needle to the skin and creating their piece of art. As a tattoo artist, I’m lucky enough that my clients come in and take my opinion and creativity into consideration when it comes to putting their artwork together. I try to create the best environment and the best experience which in turn I feel will give them the best piece of work I can give. I love doing all aspects of tattooing from small meaningful tattoos of a loved one’s handwriting to bright and vibrant sleeves or back pieces. At the end of the day, I want my artwork to be something positive for the client, whether it’s giving them closure with a memorial tattoo for a loved one, or if it’s someone who lost a bet and has to get a rival team’s logo. I just want my art to be something that people would be proud to wear.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
The hardest part of the tattoo industry is the easy accessibility to tattoo supplies for people who are not qualified or licensed. You can go online and buy just about anything you need. This takes away from the education and the tradition of learning what the tattoo industry is about.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can stop by The Ink Club Tattoo Studio at 737 Boston Road in Billerica, Massachusetts and talk to me personally. They can check out my Facebook page under Steve Makara. Or they can check out my Instagram which is inkmastermak13.
Contact Info:
- Address: 737 Boston Road
Billerica, MA 01821 - Website: https://www.facebook.com/theinkclubtattoostudio/
- Phone: 978-362-2599
- Email: theinkclub@yahoo.com
- Instagram: the_ink_club
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inkmastermak
Image Credit:
Steve Makara
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
