Meet Claudia Godinez | Owner and artist at Paper Heart Tattoo

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

Hi Claudia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have been in the tattoo industry for about nine years now, and a majority of that time has been spent working in somebody else’s shop. I opened Paper Heart Tattoo in December of 2022 as a private studio so I could create my own environment for my clients. I wanted to create a shop that is calm, safe and no one will judge you. Some of the things I have experience walking into tattoo shops as a client, have not been very welcoming but I want you to feel right at home in my space. I feel that tattoos should be a very personal and professional experience between you and your artist. I have taken a lot of feedback from my clients and used that to help shape my business and I want all of our clients to feel equally as respected as they treat us. I’m grateful for the lessons I have learned over the past few years because that really helped me to see the areas where a shop could be better.

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.
When I was little my mom would paint, usually on the walls and it was always unconventional but I fell in love with art. She had these old art books that I flipped through so much the binding in the cover fell apart. I’m proud of what I have made and the connections that I have grown along the way. Tattooing is such a personal art path, there’s so many styles and ways to approach it I am grateful my people have been able to find me, and that my art has resonated with them enough to make them want to put it on their body forever. It was not an easy journey and a lot of my clients have been with me from the beginning when I had no control over my environment, and you could say it was uncomfortable. But I appreciate the people who saw my vision and stuck with me through everything. I think all of the lessons I’ve learned along the way have just taught me that art is no place for ego or pride. We’re all meant to create in some way or another, and not compare. Sometimes the industry can be a bit challenging with all of the comparison. I just want people to know they will always be respected and heard in my shop.

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?
My best friend used to be a local so if she was visiting we would do all of our favorites! She loves going downtown and checking out all the stores, id make her go to Cronk and look at all the oddities. I’d wake her up early and take her to Provision bread & bakery cause their coffee and pastries are amazing. I’d take her hiking, there’s so many beautiful trails in Colorado, up by Gold Camp Road is always a good place to go. We’d stop by Sunwater Spa in manitou and enjoy a soak in their hot springs tubs. There’s so many fun things in Colorado it’s hard to list them all!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My story has definitely been one that I couldn’t have written alone. My amazing partner of almost 11 years, Anthony, has supported me throughout my whole career, even through all the highs and lows. He’s supported me emotionally and financially when I needed it. He works from home so he’s able to take care of our daughter all with so much love and understanding, while I’m at work I can always trust that she’s cared for which is so hard these days with getting good child care set up. I would also have to shout out my amazing apprentice Taylor Deeds, she’s been so helpful and supportive in starting the business, she’s been there and believed in me since I had a tiny private studio. And my close friend Nicolette Achondo because she trusts in the vision that I have. They are the other two artists who work in my shop and it wouldn’t be the same without them.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queenofclouds__

Other: https://www.instagram.com/paperhearttattoo

Image Credits
Anja Kelley