1° First of all, tell us who JACO ABARCA is.
Jaco Abarca is who I really always was, although my first name is Rafael, Jaco Abarca is who dared to follow and fight for his passion, Jaco Abarca is the result of years of effort, perseverance, passion and dedication to the path of this beautiful profession.
2° What is your routine?
In the mornings coffee is a must, it’s the basis of my day, I organize myself weekly, I see the projects that are in progress, the ones that are going to start, the one-shot tattoos and I start to think about the most difficult ideas, I don’t have an established routine to draw or do exercises, etc, everything is very complex when you have a child, it is more spontaneous in a way, although we have our schedules and school routines clear, when it comes to establish a routine to design is more difficult, each project is different, some tend to come out «easier» on paper, others require more time and a second round at the time of designing.
3° When and how did your proximity to the art world begin?
Since I can remember drawing, I remember my father drawing, and his younger brother too, my father was always creative in many aspects. With my brother Victor we always drew, we modified toys, we made action figures out of clay, plasticine, etc. Creativity was always there, without believing we were «artists», it was our way of expressing ourselves. At school we were always known for our ability in drawing, thanks to my mother and father, we had many comics, access to movies, which greatly increased our creativity, the desire to somehow live from this talent.
4° How do you think social media has influenced the development of tattooing as an art form worldwide?
In a positive and negative way, we have access 24 hours a day to libraries, art galleries, etc. and for the same reason we think we know a lot and we have lost that «to be surprised», the expectations of everything are very high and there is a constant competition to surprise, the tangible has become obsolete I think or is becoming, although as I said we think we know a lot, because of the easy access to information, which gives us the false sense of knowing, more than repeating what you just saw, so in the same positive way has helped to spread and reach a public that previously saw them otherwise, as an exclusive act of rebellion, criminals, that I know, has opened and changed the vision of many people, the way to see and understand the tattoo as an expression, an art form, and negatively to be sold as the product of a «style» rather than the simple fact of expressing your own being.
5° And in Chile, from a decade ago until now, what notable changes have you seen?
Artistically the level has increased a lot, there are many good artists today in Chile. On the other hand, the easy access to tools and supplies, has made that many skip the learning process and development of drawing before starting to tattoo, although it is something that goes hand in hand, having a good solid base of drawing and tattoo vision has given space to much error and lack of quality in the work of novice tattoo artists, it leaves me the feeling of lack of identity, to follow the «style that is in trend» or replicate something that is already done, is one of the scourges in my opinion.
6° Tell us about one of your references, what do you admire most in this person? Both professional and human judgments, etc.
There are many influences and references in my work, there is a little bit of everything, not only tattoers and artists. Camila Cataldo, my wife, is a person I admire on many levels, both human and artistic, I share my day to day with her and I can assure that I know her and her values, they are real and not part of a character for social media, her dedication, passion and real search to show and express in her tattoos and paintings who she really is, as a mother in my opinion the best, her care about animals and endless things inspire me and push me to improve. On our last trip we met Aaron Bell, I have always admired his work, but sharing with the person behind the tattoo, the artist, was inspiring, both he and his wife Melissa, welcomed us into their home, showed us how beautiful Seattle is, and sharing day to day, is the best way to meet someone, the simplicity and his real passion for tattooing was enriching, an unforgettable experience. I have many people in mind who could be references, for the quality of their work or craft, but I only admire someone when I know the person behind the art itself, and I evaluate much more the quality of the person’s being rather than idolizing only for the achievements.
7°What made you decide to make a living from art?
I always dreamed of making a living from drawing, but when I was a child, I didn’t know how. After my father died (97′) that idea grew, life is very short and indispensable. It was around the year 99′ or 00′, that a friend (Jason) was tattooing himself, he pushed me to tattoo and after the first line on his leg I thought, «this is it, this is what I want to do», although in those times it was not easy, ideas are bulletproof, 23 years have passed and I still love this beautiful job.
8° As an artist and tattoo artist, how do you organize and project yourself financially?
More than financially I project myself more on a personal and family level, obviously on a financial level there is the desire to support everything my son wants to do, study or dedicate himself to in his adult life. I’m organized and I have my priorities straight, so it isn’t something that worries me so much. As I said, I have more personal and family fulfillment projects than financial ones.
9° If you had to strengthen an area in your work to improve your income and results, what do you think should be the focus?
Personally I would like to get more merchandising in the future, I would like to have my own brand, not necessarily linked to the aesthetics of tattooing, but to something more illustrative and that’s another means of channeling expression in all my facets, I think that more than income, it would enhance my results as an artist.
10° Tell me about your habits. What is the productivity habit that has given you the most results in your work as an illustrator and tattoo artist that you would recommend to the world?
Be self-critical, don’t fall in love with drawing just because it cost you or took you time to do it, don’t draw just to produce, understand that there are creative processes that turn off and look for inspiration in other sources, whether it’s movies, music, series, video games, etc., be as self-critical as possible, if something is wrong, be objective, see how to improve that mistake, or weakness, if you draw for the sake of drawing and repeat bad habits they will become even worse I think, in my case I have many sketchbooks, in some I’m more free, in others I think and draw more for the tattoo, that has helped me a lot to not lose the spark, hard work pays, but also understand the processes, you can’t be good at something without living the processes, everyone wants to get to the top, but without getting tired on the way and I think that’s impossible, sooner or later that comes to light, today we live in an era where everything is fast, instantaneous, with the Ipad, everyone is a draftsman, but for me the first process is always the paper, because it is where you can express in a better way who you are, the digital although it helps (to many it formed themselves and gave them a life) the best process that has helped me is not to lose the essence of who I am, there is nothing that compares to the expression of the stroke, it’s your signature, it’s who you are.
11° Marketing and Tattoos: Do you think it is important to learn about diffusion tools? Why?
Because of how the world works today through social media, everything is done or sought through social media, , and how they act as the main means of dissemination, I think it is important to know about this aspect, to understand how these platforms are governed, but I don’t think it is the most important thing, for me the most important thing will always be the quality of your work and your unique personal stamp, which in the long run is what gives that stamp that transcends in time beyond something without identity that was only a product designed to sell.
12° What advice would you give to yourself of 10 years ago?
To always be honest to my convictions at all times, no matter if they would please or bother some people.
13° Any book, movie or musical record that has taught you something that you currently apply.
It is difficult to summarize all the references for daily life, it depends on the mood, you know what I mean, motivation, etc., a movie that marked me a lot in my childhood was «Akira», more than the idea of the film itself, the fact of being able to express dreams, ideas, your world or the one you created by drawing, blew my mind that it was possible, however real it was, to know a little of Katsushiro Otomo and see that he was just a dreamer, inspired me a lot. As for music, today I really like the lyrics of many Blue Grass bands, those stories, almost short stories very much like Johnny Cash, they inspire me to follow that same path, always faithful to who you are, when you create, be you, don’t want to live someone else’s life, but be true to who you really are.
14° What advice would you give to all those who are starting out as freelancers so they can improve their income derived from their art?
Be proactive, never give up, be true to themselves and look for their own identity.
15° Last words, say what you want
As I have said many times in my life, work hard, don’t give up, draw a lot, do not fall in love with the drawing because it is aesthetically beautiful blinding you to see your mistakes, don’t forget those mistakes and learn from them, so as not to make the same mistakes again. I think this works both as an artist and as a person. And be who you are, since this will be the only thing that will transcend and leave your personal mark in this world.
