Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicholas Gokee Anzivino.
Hi Nicholas, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The development of Intentional Arts goes all the way back to childhood: I grew up in a close-knit family with two older brothers, my mother and father. They inspired and supported me from a very young age to be creative. One of the first things I remember making was a figurine for my dad out of wood pieces, and I remember he put it on his desk and kept it there for a while.
When I was in high school I started focusing more on building a portfolio of artwork. With graduation around the corner, I thought about what I might want to do with my future. I just kept thinking about the idea of becoming a tattoo artist, making that kind of art for people. So I worked my junior and senior year on building that collection, as a first step in getting a tattoo apprenticeship.
After graduation, I went around to a few different shops in GR that I was interested in, and got my foot in the door at Dark Rose Tattoo. I did about a year long apprenticeship, then worked there for another year as an artist before opening my own private tattoo studio, Intentional Ink Tattoo, in Cascade.
The name of the studio came from attention to meaning of tattoos, and what they can represent, and how the actual process of tattooing and application of tattooing can be intentional — so its indicative to the way I work.
Over the years I’ve attended multiple tattoo seminars around the country, as well as some conventions, where I’ve made connections that turned into friendships and business partners, as well as opportunities for me to travel, work, or just get involved with a different community. Intentional Ink marks its 8th year of business on September 1st – it has been an honor to work and create with so many people over the years.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I definitely had struggles along the way. There were some doubts initially on skipping college, if I was making the right decision, if I would make enough money or not going into tattooing or arts in general. I also had some trouble initially getting into tattooing and had some rocky moments in my apprenticeship but it was nothing compared to the struggles of owning my own shop at all. It took so much consistency to stay on top of everything: marketing, scheduling, finances, the actual service of tattooing, meanwhile staying profitable. The workload became monotonous. Feeling a disconnect and a passion for tattooing slowly dwindling, I started getting more into martial and healing arts. All the while, I hired and taught other artists — and now I have my wonderful wife who helps with some of the things that take me away from what I love most about tattooing—creating.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in whatever each client needs. Every person is unique and has different preferences when it comes to their body art. I work to incorporate those unique preferences into the client’s tattoo. I am most proud of my ability to conceptualize, compose, and execute designs that leave clients happy.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was always with my older brothers and our friends, looking up to them and learning from them. In elementary and middle school, I was interested in recess, gym, art, and lunch more than any other period. For a while, I was really into basketball and had dreams of being in the NBA. But ultimately, as time went on and I started high school, I found myself more expressive in art classes than any other and I began focusing more on that. I also started working as a busboy around the same time, which helped me become more personable, more humble, and confident as a working part of the community I grew up in. That job helped me understand the importance of local business and service to the people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://intentionalinktattoos.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intentionalinktattoo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/intentionalink/
