Tamara Santibañez (they/them) - 2016 New York City

The multi-amazing @tamarasantibanez / www.tamarasantibanez.com

The internet is often a vacuum for good human energy (then once again, I was suggested to meet Tamara who navigates it all gracefully). I was sitting with a mutual friend catching up before my client arrived and queer tattooing came up (he said just go now, before I knew it I was en route). I had barely 45 minutes before my client arrived that day. (a classic uber situation blasted me over to meet up at the LA Book Fair (where I walked by a number of folks I look up to). I found the Discipline Press booth but was not entirely sure who to talk to because I didn't see Tamara (and I was running short on time). We had a quick hello and I jammed back to DTLA to tattoo.

We met up again on tour while in New York City later that same year for some diner and a longer hang out this time around. They invited me over to do the interview at theirs (we were staying just around the corner from Tamara's in Brooklyn). We chatted and got to know each other again more in person through the time shared. I was totally smitten (this person really embodies and lives what they communicate through their work and to their communities politically, socially, perosnally). Not only through tattooing and art making but how they treat themselves (big ups).