Meet Denzel Ortega | Tattoo artist & owner of BLVCK Cathedral Tattoo

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

Hi Denzel, how do you think about risk?
When it comes to risk, especially in the tattoo industry you have to analyze a million and one outcomes and how each one can effect your future. Yet, at the same time you must know how to follow your heart and best instincts to reach your goals in not only life but in your career. When it comes to my life, risk has had a substantial role in every move I’ve made. From the ups and downs, I’ve learned when the best moment to take a risk is and when it came down to it, taking my career in my own hands from the get go was the best decision I’ve made. I took a risk, i taught myself everything I know and I’m very proud to say my career has been structured and created all from my hard work, dedication and my strength to not let anyone tell me I can’t do what my heart knows it can.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When it comes to my art, my methods of creativity are a little, unusual to say the lest. When it comes to creating the perfect art for my clients i find it easiest when I know the pressure is on, i know it may sound bad but all my art is created at the last moment when my brain feels the ideas in my head are perfect. I get very bad artist block trying to plan ahead. So, i let my brain tell me when the time is right. As far as my art style, my style is blackwork and stipple shading. I feel i strive in all aspects of dark, creepy, down right weird and original art concepts that make you question what is going on or why it was designed that way. I guess you can say i enjoy being weird and express it through my art.
Getting to where i am today was by no means easy, early into my career i was supposed to learn under the wing of another artist but unfortunately through hardship and toxicity i walked away and though i thought my journey was coming to an end I decided to get back up and take things into my own hand. It was hard, but i’m now insanely proud of of where i am. i now own my own studio called BLVCK Cathedral tattoo and i am now a sixteen time award winning tattoo artist.
Along the way, i learned that i may have had an easier time with an apprenticeship however, I wouldn’t trade my life lessons for that as it’s made me stronger and prouder of who i have become.

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?
To be honest i’m usually more of a homebody, i enjoy movies, TCG card games, and video games. However if I wanted to show my friend an incredible time I enjoy mini golf, bowling and art the most. So wether it be going to a local mini golf course or bowling alley to possibly driving up to a waterfall my family calls “Graffiti Falls” or even exploring the artistic world of meow wolf.

As far as food and drinks go i have a ton of favorites all over Denver but my top two will always be Poke House and Hopdoddy Burger Bar.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My main recognition and thanks go out to my Father Joey Ortega, Mother Amie Rivera, My other mom Melissa Ortega and my sister Davina and my brothers Satchel and David. . My honorary mentions go out to my day one clients who have followed and supported my art from the beginning. Alexis (Lex) Rutt, Ryleigh (Yoshi) Davis, David Thompson & family.
However, In my story there’s so many other people I would love to recognize for being there for me from the start, however the list is way too long but each and every person, friend, client and family member of mine deserves a huge thank you for supporting me through the years.

Website: www.BLCVKcathedraltattoo.com

Instagram: @Denzel.ink & @BLVCKcathedral.tattoo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denzel.ortega777