Hispanic Heritage Month: From tattoos to clothing, Meridian artist is always creating

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of stories highlighting Latino Idahoans as part of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

Lupita Garcia is always creating.

In the hall of her spacious Meridian tattoo shop, Garcia spray-painted a green-and-yellow mural. On one wall of her tattoo room, she’s plastered dozens of tattoo sketches, from Frida Kahlo to Johnny Depp. Her own artwork, framed, hangs in neat lines on another.

Garcia, 30, struck out with her own place in the tattoo world four years ago to show that businesses such as hers can be professional, well-managed and a viable career.

“I don’t ever remember not drawing … I’ve just never stopped,” Garcia told the Idaho Statesman. “I’ve always loved art. I think it’s always been a big, big part of me.”

Garcia is from New Mexico originally, but she moved to Idaho 18 years ago.

She has Mexican roots, which is something she brings to her art. Garcia’s heritage has taught her a lot, she said, like being good to people and not judging anyone.

“That’s what I try to keep with me,” Garcia said. “I believe you do good and you receive good.”

Garcia likes to do a bit of everything, but her styles include Aztec-inspired, Chicano and realism.

And importantly, she said she’s able to tattoo effectively on darker-colored skin — an issue many people of color have when getting tattoos.

Often, images of tattoos on social media show only lighter skin, according to Allure Magazine, an area that lacks representation. Some tattoo artists aren’t even willing to learn how to tattoo on darker skin, NPR reported.

“It doesn’t matter what color the person is, as long as you know how to tattoo, you should be able to do it. There’s no excuses,” Garcia said.

But Garcia is more than just an artist and business owner. She also sells her own clothing brand in her spacious lobby. That brand — sin miedo, meaning no fear — takes its name from a phrase that’s gotten her through big risks in her life, she said, something she would draw into her art.

She also asks her clients what it means to them.

Sometimes, Garcia said, you can’t help being scared or anxious. But if you let the fears get the best of you, you’ll never make it where you want to be.

“Life’s not easy,” Garcia said. “Sometimes you just gotta take chances and risks if you want better for yourself.”