By: David Smith

Jac Alonso, originally from Seville, has made a name for himself as a premier tattoo artist in New York City. His journey began with a deep passion for art, cultivated from a young age. 

With over 14 years of experience as a tattoo artist, he developed his skills in realism and hyperrealism, first as a child, then as a teenager, and later, as an adult, as he dedicates his life to crafting innovative tattoos. After running his own tattoo studio in Malaga, Spain, he immigrated to the United States in 2023, and has since then quickly gained recognition in the tattoo industry, demonstrating his passion for turning the skin into a canvas. His strong attention to detail and his commitment to innovation sets him apart from the competition.

From Spain to New York: A Journey of Artistic Transformation

Alonso’s path from Spain to New York is one of determination and transformation. He originally started work in the commercial sector, but soon realized that his true calling lay in art. In 2010, he transitioned into tattooing, inspired by a desire to explore his creativity. After honing his craft through practice and mentorship, he opened his own studio in Málaga. An encounter with Matías Noble, a fellow artist, eventually led him to Manhattan, where he now works at the Noble Art Studio in Manhattan. Living in New York allowed Alonso to immerse himself in a vibrant artistic community, elevating his career to new heights.

The Essence of Hyperrealism: What Sets Jac’s Work Apart

For Jac Alonso, tattooing goes beyond mere artistry. The artist, initially hailing from Seville, has a strong passion that drives his tattoo artwork, which ranges from hyper realistic animals to sports portraits and more. He sees each tattoo transition to become a standout as a tattoo artist collaboration between artist and client in New York City. 

His artistic journey began in childhood with a unique narrative, as he discovered a love for drawing and painting. With a strong foundation rooted in artistic realism, nurtured by mentors in his formative years, Jac pursued a career that led him to compete on an international stage of creativity. Each step brought him closer infusing his work with a deeper meaning that to his passion transcends the ink on skin. His clients appreciate, culminating in this personal touch, making the tattooing process intimate, memorable and unforgettable. Sports Icons quickly became well-known for its lifelike creations of figures on skin, be it mythological figures, sports icons or fierce animal portraits.

Notable Tattoos and Their designs

Alonso is famed for inking sports celebrities and athletes with ink. He has tattooed famous football, basketball and soccer players from the US and Europe. “I’ve had the honor of working with several sports icons, and this year, I tattooed Jalen Ramsey, a player for the Miami Dolphins,” said Alonso. “I also had the opportunity to tattoo Don Thompson, a basketball player from California, and Mikel Villanueva, an international soccer player with the Venezuelan national team currently playing in the Portuguese league.” He has also worked with several soccer players from the Spanish league when he lived and worked in Spain. “Many of them seek out my work for my realistic style, especially in animal and mythology themes, which are highly appealing in this field,” he said.

Each piece tells a story about the athlete, who has a unique relation to their chosen design. From tattoo ideas that represent strength to wisdom, he has a variety of ideas that fit with each client’s preference, creating tattoos that strike a chord with their deepest sentiments.

Tattooing as Passion: Jac Alonso’s Story Behind the Ink

For Jac, his passion for tattooing transcends a mere profession; it embodies a lifelong commitment. His trek into the tattooing world started in 2010 after he discovered a course that reignited his artistic ambitions. 

Since that moment, each tattoo session allows him to explore an association of personal satisfaction and technical challenge. Jac began applying his skills on friends, thus elevating the overall standards in the industry, gradually. It has also proven advantageous in building his portfolio and his clientele. With every year he tattooed, he refined his skill and expanded his craft and network in the tattoo community.

Recognition and Awards: Celebrating Achievements In The Tattoo Industry

Alonso’s exceptional talent has not gone unnoticed. He has acquired numerous accolades, demonstrating his dedication to the art. His impressive awards include multiple first-place finishes at renowned tattoo conventions, from New York to Tampa, New Jersey and beyond.

This dedication to the craft developed his growth within the industry, leading to invitations to international conventions and opportunities to showcase his work. Venues such as the Meadowlands Tattoo Arts Festival in New Jersey, which is hosted by Villain Arts, is where he won nine awards, including first place for Best Portrait in Black and Grey Ink.

He has also won awards at Papillon Tattoo Convention in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he was awarded three first-place awards. Alonso was also recently honored to be a judge at the nation’s most prestigious tattoo convention, the New York Tattoo Convention in New York, and also recently judged at the The 10th annual Tampa Tattoo Arts Festival in Tampa, organized by Villain Arts. 

Alonso is an award-winning tattoo artist who is proficient in realism tattoos, that being tattoos that strike a stunning resemblance to photos, but are created by hand. He has quickly become a market leader in his field, winning over a dozen awards for his tattoo artwork at conventions and fairs across the country. As a result, Alonso has revolutionized their industry through innovation and excellence and by restructuring the future of the industry.

“My perspective to hyperrealism is based on meticulous detail and precision in every stroke,” said Alonso. “I focus on deeply analyzing every aspect of the reference image, examining the light, texture, and shadows so that the tattoo has depth and appears to have a life of its own. My objective is for the piece to look almost like a photograph on the skin. To achieve this, I use shading techniques, subtle gradients, and specific methods to create textures.”

Notable Clientele: Tattoos for Sports Icons and Celebrities

Among his many achievements, working with the quality of notable athletes is part of his work. He has worked with world-renowned, top tier artists like athletes from the Miami Dolphins and Venezuelan soccer player Mikel Villanueva. 

“I’ve had the privilege of working with some Spanish football players, creating pieces that represent their values and carry a strong aesthetic component,” said Alonso. “The themes I’ve mostly tattooed for them have been animals and mythology. Each of these tattoos held a special meaning for them—something they wanted to represent and carry with them as a personal symbol.”

Looking Ahead: Jac Alonso’s Craftsmanship, Vision And Giving Back

Beyond his technical prowess, Alonso is keen on giving back to the community. He acts as a mentor to aspiring tattoo artists, sharing his knowledge and experiences. 

By conducting seminars and workshops, he prepares the next generation of tattoo artists with the latest equipment, techniques and safety, ensuring their success in the industry. 

Jac’s stunning realism tattoo style has established a wide audience for him, as he has acquired over 67,000 followers on Instagram on his account @jac_alonso. He is fully booked throughout the year of 2024, and continues to attract a celebrity clientele. More than anything, he hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams, just as he did. 

Jac Alonso: On Working At Noble Art Studio In Manhattan

“Noble Art in New York is a special place, with a unique blend of international talent,” said Alonso.” We’re like a family, and that positive atmosphere and respect among the artists extends to the clients, who feel it and are comfortable, almost as if they were at home.” 

Noble Art Studio has locations worldwide—in Spain, Switzerland, the United States, and Canada. “It is all part of this growing community that continues to bring together more artists from different countries around the world,” he said. “This enriches us professionally, as each artist brings their own technique, culture and creates an environment of constant ever-evolving learning.”

In short, Noble Art is a place where quality, creativity, and respect are fundamental, and where clients can find a wide variety of tattoo styles, with each artist focused on their own specialty, as said by Alonso.

Published by: Holy Minoza