Meet Haferks | Tattoo/caricature artist / illustrator

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

Hi Haferks, what do you want your legacy to be?
I didn’t choose art as much as art chose me. Since I was four, I’ve lived with anxiety and panic attacks, and later, after losing close family members, creating became my lifeline. I explored everything—painting, sculpture, murals, tattooing—not because I had a clear path, but because I had no choice but to express.

Coming from a DACA background, I didn’t have access to art school or the resources others had. So I became my own teacher, my own motivator. Art became my way of staying alive, staying connected, and making others feel seen. I didn’t pursue a creative career to follow trends—I pursued it because it’s the only way I feel fully myself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I would describe my tattoo style as expressive, stylized, and illustration-based, with a strong influence from caricature. While I can use realistic rendering or shading when it fits, my work isn’t realism — it’s always filtered through my own expressive style. Sometimes it leans more cartoony, sometimes more refined, but I’m always chasing dynamism and movement, whether in color or black and grey. I’m also drawn to weird or unusual ideas — but always with the goal of executing them thoughtfully and well.

What sets me apart isn’t that I’m trying to stand out — it’s that I stay curious. I love experimenting, playing with shapes, motion, and humor, and pushing the boundaries of what’s expected, without losing the foundation of solid technique. I want my work to spark curiosity and invite people to see things from a slightly different angle.

One of the things I’m most proud of is competing this year at the Villain Arts Tattoo Convention in San Diego, where I won first, second, and third place in the ‘Most Unusual’ category, and third in ‘Large Black and Gray.’ For me, it wasn’t just about the trophies — it was about reclaiming a part of myself. After losing my brother, anxiety nearly made me quit tattooing. Just showing up and competing was a personal victory.

My professional journey hasn’t been easy. Coming from a DACA background meant limited resources and constant uncertainty. I didn’t have access to formal art training, so I taught myself — through mentors, friends, experimentation, and a lot of trial and error. Anxiety and grief have shaped my path, and even now, with everything going on in the world, that weight is still there. But focusing on what I love — tattooing and art — keeps me grounded.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is: I can, and I will. Life is hard, but sometimes it’s in the roughest soil where creativity grows strong enough to lift you up. And if you’re lucky, along the way, your work connects with others. Be persistent — even stubborn. Solo se vive una vez, pero se tiene un chingo de oportunidades para vivir. Every mistake I’ve made has taught me something, and I hope the ones I make in the future keep teaching me, too.

I don’t know if I have a big message — I’m just doing what I love. When it comes to tattoos, I try to help people interpret what they want through my lens and style. I’m not worried about what people think or say when they see my work — as long as they think and say something. That, for me, is already a form of connection.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting San Diego, there are a few places I’d definitely have to take them. First, Sunset Cliffs. For me, it’s not just one of the most beautiful spots in the city — it’s also a place full of memories and emotions. It was my brother’s favorite place, and going there carries a lot of weight for me. Watching the sunset there is like reconnecting with something bigger.

I’ve also found a new appreciation for North Park — it’s a great area to hang out, grab a drink, check out little bars and just enjoy the vibe. And of course, if we’re anywhere near City Heights, I’d take them to Hustle Tattoos at 4503 University, where I work. Not just because it’s where I tattoo, but because it’s part of my day-to-day world and where a lot of creativity and good energy happens.

I’d mix the week with a balance of nature, art, music, good food, and local spots that feel real — places where you don’t just visit, but you actually experience a bit of the soul of the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe so much to the people who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. My family, especially my mom, has been my constant support, no matter how lost or uncertain I’ve felt. And my brother, who passed away, is still part of everything I do—his memory is one of my biggest motivators.

But honestly, I also owe a lot to my friends and the artists I work with every day. My coworkers, my fellow artists—they don’t just inspire me, they challenge me. They push me to grow, to experiment, to learn from them, and to never settle.

I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by people who saw something in me when I couldn’t see it myself. And every piece I create carries a little piece of them too.

Instagram: Haferks

Facebook: Haferks HL

Youtube: Haferks / highbarsvirus

Other: Instagram

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