Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Suarez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Born and raised in Miami. I attended the New World School of the arts for high school as a painter. I then accepted a scholarship to attend Maryland Institute College of Art with a BFA in painting. After college graduation, I moved back down to Miami and started a job as a designer for a well-known sign shop (Metro Signs and Graphics). There is when a part time co-worker/tattoo artist introduced me to his friend who owned a tattoo shop down the street. I would hang out there sometimes after work and eventually landed a tattoo apprenticeship. From one day to the next, I quit my day job and set off to follow tattooing as a career. Fifteen years later, I am tattooing and love every bit of it. I never feel as if I’m working. Every day I feel like I’m doing what I love. Art! On canvas/paper or on skin!!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
At first, it was hard. Trying to build up clients and evolve my craft has been a journey. To this day, I feel like I am still learning new tricks and techniques. Many times I’ve wanted to quit because I couldn’t financially provide for my family. But with determination and a “don’t quit” mentality, I can finally say with ease that I am stable in this field.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
For the past 15 years, I’ve been tattooing along with working on my fine art and back and forth in the graffiti world. Right now, I specialize in being just a well-round tattoo artist. I was taught first how to tattoo in a traditional sense. My style has become a mix of influences with a bit of my own flavor. I was taught to accomplish any tattoo that walks in that door. So at this point, my style is really just anything the customer wants with my spice and influence.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love that our city is alive. Everyone is trying to grow in some form. There is a big hustle mentality in Miami. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes over and people can be too consumed and selfish.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Mikeyleetattoos.bigcartel.com
- Instagram: @mikeylee_tattoos
