Meet Julius Robles | Tattoo Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julius Robles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julius, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Wow, Balance is something i put on back burner until i recently had a back injury i am currently recovering from. I can’t stress enough to balance your life and work.

I was super focus on providing and proving myself in the tattoo industry, at first i would let my work speak for itself. But overtime i let the toxic concept of being a super-pleasing tattoo artist. Also competitive of making it big get to me. I thought it would make me more financial stable, instead It just a recipe for disaster. I started to dislike trade i was in, and became very unhappy.

It doesn’t matter what profession you are in, you have to balance it out. Tattoo industry is a beautiful industry that give you the opportunity to make people’s tattoo ideas come to life and it super rewarding. Welcoming new clients and even friends, as well hearing client life story and dedicated memorial tattoo. But you can lose yourself in pleasing every client and taking on project that you’re not really interested in, we all have to pay bills. I understand. Trust me it will kill your creative side and passion for trade in the long run.

The other balance i strongly recommend, is time for yourself. Family, Friends, and Hobby’s that you’re interested in. Don’t lose yourself working crazy amount of hours. if you’re very family oriented person.
Stand strong by it,
I am father and husband, this is other factor that can be hard to balance. Make your sure your profession gives your more freedom to be with them not the opposite. Our kids are only children once and my boys are my world, i now put them first before anything. No longer allowing project occupied my time alway from them. I have sacrificed times and this is one my biggest problem i was having.

Healthcare is the next one, eat healthy. take time to workout or walk, ride bike, or a sport of your liking. Anything keeps you well round. My choice at those time, contribute me to becoming unhappy, gained weight, tattoo burnout, when i hurt my back, i had complete mindset change. I could no longer continue that way. I now look at it as experience i had to go though, it help me appreciate the family/thing that i took for granted.

So BALANCE is key. I now have a refresh look and focusing on things that matter to me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My tattoo art, is self-explanatory. I let the work talk for itself, i couldn’t tell you if i stand out more then other artist. Because i am still discovering different styles that i like. I have not yet specifically took to one style to specialize or to be known for it. If anything, i would say it my attention to details.

I get excited for Comic and Anime characters, i am big kid at heart. Since i was kid, watching Transformers, x-men, and Batman on Saturday morning cartoon. Shoot, I can show my age, the anime section at blockbuster, where i was introduced to ninja scroll and Akira. Then Dbz on Toonami at Cartoon Network.”

Comic books characters from Spawn, X-men, Spider-Man, Hulk, etc. but as i gotten older. Realism’s has gotten my attention. So i can get excited for portraits, scenery, and surrealism. Black n gray or color i enjoy it.

The challenge i have face so far, is not to be scared to try something new or don’t shy alway from hard design. I know it on skin, but you have to break the barrier, failure is just an experience. Which i can decide to let it stop me or continue.

Was it easy? I would say no, my talent can make things look easy or present itself that way. The true is I keep my head down, and focus on getting better and disciplining myself to keep at it. A good lesson, i would say i learn is to focus on myself, don’t worry about the negative energy and gasps. Yes it can kill your artist vide. Find a place you can be artistic free and yourself. My story is still going and for the world “this is me”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
You can alway find me at cafe shop around town, because i enjoy trying something new but my favorite spot is Hansel & Gretel Bakery Cafe off of Pleasant Hill rd.

For lunch or dinner their restaurant in the Chamblee Area. Mamak Vegan Kitchen. Malaysian based vegan eatery that will leave your mouth watering for more.
In downtown Atlanta area, we love to go to Ponce City Market. Their plenty of restaurant and shop to indulge.

I love the outdoors, one of my favorite places to go during the summer is Water’s Creeks Fall up in Cleveland, Ga. If you in central Atlanta area, it about 2 hr drive that so worth it. Free parking and entry, just clean after yourself.

I recommend downtown Monroe, for their Annual Memories in Monroe Car Show, it amazing! A’lot of beautiful cars, from old antique to 70’s Muscle and modern American, European, (JDM) Japanese cars.
But their plenty of restaurant and shop in downtown strip.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Their so many people in my life that i can give credit too, specially in early year of my life where it pretty much had the self-made man’s mindset to survive. I am bless to have meet these individuals. That has contributed to my life. I would like to start first with my parents, my brother and sister. That have alway supported me.

My wife, Roana. who have alway been supportive me and in courage whatever ideas that would come to my mind, no matter how crazy it sounded. Love you babe. My two son, they help me push myself to do better for them. Valen, Leo. love you to end of time.

I would like to give shout out to my mentor, Jonathan Betancourt. “ thank you for taking me in as your apprentice. Forever grateful. You didn’t just teach me the trade, but also open up your family to me.”

Theo Walker from Golden Anchor Tattoo. ”Forever grateful to Theo, this guy i give me opportunity to work at this shop. It been a blessed experience. He encourages his co-workers and to elevate us to next level. He is more than just an owner/boss man. Theo is a really good friend.”

Bryson Anderson is also from Golden Anchor Tattoo. ”this great guy was there for me, during my back issues. I could’ve ask for better supporting friend. Besides alway making his coworker laugh at work. He gives everyone helping hand and check on all of us.”

Micheal Manfredi from Homesick Tattoo, Florida. “He always makes me feel welcome.”
I was introduced him by Brandom Negron. Brandom is long time friend that alway look out for me. Even when I didn’t deserve it lol. The list can go on and on, i love you all!!! Thank you !

Dee Florian (Fl)
Chris aka Tokieyo (Fl)
Christian (Ga)
Tez Reynolds (Ga)
Edward Argibay (Ga)
Emily Wynne (Ga)
Sànta (Fl)
Mike Lee (Fl)

Website: https://www.JuliusRobles.com

Instagram: @juliustattoo_

Image Credits
I will like thank Theo walker for taking some dope pictures for me.