Today we’d like to introduce you to Nadia Munoz.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a proud Mexican immigrant of Houston brought here by my parents as a small child. I have lived in Houston my whole life and have grown to love and cherish this vibrant and diverse city and proudly call it my home.
My tattooing career began in 2009 when I pushed myself into a very busy street shop in East Houston. Having no experience, it was a surprise they let me come work for them after lots of convincing. My drive and motivation to become a good tattooer was my most important asset, and shortly after being employed, I began learning quickly. I had no actual mentor, meaning I had to basically teach myself how to tattoo. I started learning by doing the most popular designs at the time, which were small flash (designs from the wall) and lettering.
I took a long break from tattooing when I became pregnant in 2010. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to stay home and raise my two children but always knew I wanted to come back to tattooing. I continued to make art from home until 2016 when I got started working in Montrose tattooing. I also introduced cosmetic tattooing as part of my practice three years back.
I have worked at several studios since then but my vision has always been to have my own studio with my own unique vibe. All the tattoo parlors I have ever worked at have been very aggressively masculine and not catering to a more personal experience. I wanted my studio to be different. I wanted it to represent myself as an artist and individual.
In 2018, I finally decided it was time to open up the studio of my dreams in bustling Houston Heights. Corazones Tattoo + Beauty opened its doors on August 2018 and is growing with new artists. Spanish being my first language, I chose the name Corazones (meaning “hearts” in Spanish) because we all operate from the heart. Our passion for our life, our families and friends, our crafts, our dreams and our goals all root from a deep desire of a creative and lively heart. That collective interaction between the heart, the mind and to each other is what makes being a human being so special.
Throwing myself into owning my own business has been an incredible journey of self-discovery and pushing myself each day to become better. I am grateful each day for the opportunity the universe has brought me to be a successful artist in this day and age. I look forward to each new day as a mother and artist.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has been anything but smooth. Working at different shops with different artists and clashing personalities. I have gone thru many personal obstacles in my relationships and in my own self-discovery. Being a young single mother and a business lady is tough work!
The hardest part of this journey has been consolidating my personal life with my work life and somehow still producing good work. Focusing on the beauty and quality of my tattooing while managing my time with my children has been my main strategy.
Please tell us about Corazones Tattoo + Beauty.
The vibe of the studio is very laid back, femme, intimate, and professional. Every work of art is done with love.
My tattoo specialty is color/black and gray realism and neo-traditional. I am most well known for my work with floral tattoos. My portfolio is very diverse in style and design. I love to take on new challenges in tattooing and in life. I also offer cosmetic tattooing, including brow and lip tattoos.
I feel that my attention to detail and creating custom-tailored work for my clients is what sets me apart as an artist in Houston. I feel like I am one of a few color realism tattoo artists in Houston, as well.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If could have done it all over again, I would have taken this art life more seriously. Initially, I started tattooing thinking it was a fun way to make money temporarily. I did not ever imagine I would get this far in my career! I wish I could have taken myself more seriously and taken the more professional routes toward becoming a better tattooer so it would have not taken me so long to get here!
I also wish I could have visualized the type of freedom that being a successful tattooer has to offer by being able to work and travel doing art. Now that I have children, it is much more difficult to do that.
Pricing:
- Tattooing is charged at $150 per hour. Minimum of 2 hours per session.
- Consultations are free. To book a tattoo, $100 deposit is required.
Contact Info:
- Address: 549 Studewood St Houston, TX 77007
- Website: www.corazonestattooandbeauty.com
- Phone: 281-501-8400
- Email: houstonurbanink@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corazonestattoostudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CorazonesTattooandBeauty/
Image Credit:
Shop mural done by David “Skeez” Flores and Nadia Munoz, Tattoos done by Nadia Munoz
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