“LIVE YOUR DREAM SO YOU DON’T LIVE YOUR LIFE DREAMING.”
LIVE FREE
I specialize in watercolor & black and grey tattoos.
LIVE | LOVE | CREATE
BIO
Jon Marquez is an accomplished tattoo artist who was born on 1989 in East Los Angeles, California. When he was five years old, his family moved to the Inland Empire. Jon's love of art has had a profound influence on both his lifestyle and worldview. Jon worked hard and long to become a great artist, even though he didn't succeed right away. Creativity has always been his drive—from skateboarding in high school to playing in local bands. Jon didn't know much about art when he began, but that didn't stop him from learning how to express himself through other forms of art. At 16 years old, after classes were over for the day Jon would go visit a local tattoo shop in Fontana, CA—one of first tattoo shops in town. Jon's first experience with the world of tattooing came when he hung out with his older brother, who at the time was a piercing apprentice. It was there that he learned about piercings, tattoos and other body modifications without ever realizing this experience—watching, listening and helping out around the shop—would lead him down a natural progression, eventually become a great artist himself.
When he was 18 years old, Jon moved to San Antonio and started a new life with no friends and little family nearby. He got his first job as a gas station clerk—but within the year it became clear that this wasn't what Jon wanted for himself. Despite this, he eventually made some friends in San Antonio and continued pursuing his passion of tattooing as a hobby. As he grew more confident in his art, so did his tattoos—and so did his love for the new art form. He began to experiment with new styles and techniques. He first landed an entry-level job at a local tattoo shop, However, shortly after moving to San Antonio's north side and working in that city’s more established shops (including Jolly Rogers Tattoos). Here he continued to grow as an artist, and in the following year he began to travel around Texas for conventions, frequent trips to California and other events. He met many amazing people and learned new things about the tattoo and art industry, which only served to further his passion for tattooing.
In late 2014, Jon left Texas to start a new chapter in his life. He sold most of his belongings and dropped everything so he could tattoo professionally—a dream that had been growing within him for years. He struggled to establish his own place for the first 6 months he lived in The IE; at times sleeping on friends’ couches, sometimes in his car and occasionally staying at nice hotels when business was good enough that month. Jon was determined to realize his dream of having a tattoo shop by the beach in Southern California.
Jon has been tattooing for 14 years now, and has built up an impressive clientele that spans from across Southern California to the east coast. He's had the opportunity to work with many talented artists in his career, including some of the best in the business. He aims to create tattoos that are not only beautiful but also tasteful and well-conceived. Jon has always been a tattooer who is constantly learning new techniques and approaches to the craft. Through years of practice and experimentation, he has developed a personal style that is marked by bold lines, striking colors, and beautiful geometric designs.
His favorite thing about drawing is getting lost in the moment while creating something beautiful that will be with someone for the rest of their life. He believes that the best tattoos are ones that connect the artist and client on a deep level. He works hard to create a comfortable environment where people can feel confident in sharing their ideas and feelings, which allows for a more genuine tattoo experience.
Resolved to further his artistic ambitions, Jon moved from the IE to Orange County and began working at a new tattoo shop, where he hoped his skills would grow to realized his dream of becoming a shop owner one day. In July of 2022, Jon opened Stay Sacred Studios with business partner Brad Reis. The shop quickly became a destination for people from all over Southern California looking for high quality tattoos. Stay Sacred Studios quickly gained a reputation for being one of the best tattoo shops in Southern California. With over 25 years of combined experience, Jon and Brad established themselves as highly skilled artists who are able to create tattoos that are both striking and meaningful. The shop has a diverse clientele, including people from all walks of life. The artists at Stay Sacred Studios have the ability to create custom tattoos that not only look great but also tell a story.