6ick7zer0 Tattoo Shop: Life stories on skin

Walter Florencio Jr.’s specialty is doing big pieces. “I enjoy the amount of work and time I put into in that is why I allot time for them,” he said. (Contributed Photo)

Whether you get a tattoo for aesthetics, to feel good, to honor someone, or want an important event in your life always remembered, 6ick7zer0 Tattoo Shop located in Puerto Rico is your go-to place. Managed by tattoo artist Walter Arellano Florencio Jr., his 13 years of experience of making life moments into artwork has gained respect and a following.

“I love this profession that I am in where I can put or relay stories on people’s skin. There is no tattoo industry on island and there are only a few people who do this as a profession and as a passion…I learned the art of tattooing on my own as I didn’t had no mentor or any person giving me advice back in 2007,” he said.

“Not a lot of people were doing legitimate tattoos… part of this passion of mine was inspired and fueled by my mother who is an artist. My older sister and I are also on the same path and I believe being an artist is both innate and an acquired skill. I grew up in an artistic environment and all I needed to do was to upgrade from pencil and paper to needle and skin,” he added.

One of Florencio Jr.’s goals is to change the mind set of people about tattoos. “I want to change the way older generations saw tattoos back then… there was a negative stigma that went with it. But with my generation now, tattoos now are more of a story and sometimes a reminder in life to look back at so one can move forward,” he said.

6ick7zer0 Tattoo Shop business owner and tattoo artist Walter Florencio Jr with his wife, Stephani Florencio, who does decal stickers for cars, boats and dirt bikes available at the shop. (Contributed Photo)

“My forte is tattooing big pieces… I enjoy the amount of work and time I put into in that is why I allot time for them. I also do small pieces and I can do them quick like six or seven pieces in one day. Over the years, I have learned to manage time spent on every piece—big or small,” he added.

To date, Florencio Jr. has lost count as to how many inks he has done on clients. “There is so many and since I have been in this business for so long my most memorable ones were when I was a child…Each artist has a way of doing their art and I believe I have a style no other artist has as this gift is unique,” he said.

“The tattoo business is based on respect I value the trust that my clients put upon me and my work. They come to me because they say they like my style of tattoo and the way I see and interpret my own designs. My designs are the kind that you would not be able to take to another artist because you will probably not get the same result,” he added.

6ick7zer0 Tattoo Shop is open from 9am to 9pm. For more information or book for an appointment, call (670) 783-7156 or check out them out on FaceBook:6sic7zero and on Instagram: florencio.walter or 6ick7zer0_Tattoo_Shop.