CHOLO

MAKING ART, ONE PIERCING AT A TIME
Body art has become so popular that it’s almost impossible to walk down the street without seeing someone with a piercing or tattoo. Often viewed as an extension of one’s personality, piercing has become more acceptable in today’s culture, with everybody sporting the usual lip, eyebrow and belly button piercing. However there are those who see piercings as more than your average body modification but as a work of art. Enter Cholo, the ultimate body piercer, who currently works out of Artistic Element tattoo parlor in Yucaipa, California. Known for his outrageous facial tattoos and numerous body piercings, Cholo is the go to man for all things pierced, having been in the industry for more than 10 years.

Cholo first became interested in body modifications when he was younger and used to hang out at random tattoo shops in San Bernardino. He got his first tattoo at 14 and since then, has almost accomplished tattooing every place on his body. “I got my first tattoo out of a garage by some cholo guy,” the 31-year-old piercer recalls. “My first piercing was my tongue. The funny thing about that was, I would tease my brother because he had one. I’d tell him it was for fags… and look at me know. That first piercing started my love for it.” From there, he dabbled in doing tattoos but later found his calling with piercings. “I just fell in love with it,” he says. While he still likes to draw and create art in other mediums, Cholo won’t ever go back to doing tattoos, even when specifically asked for. “People still want me to do tattoos but piercings are my calling,” Cholo explains. “I leave the tattoos to my best friend Roman, owner of Artistic Element. I just don’t have the same feeling for tattoos that I have for piercings.”
Cholo’s passion for piercing is what helped his name circulate around the industry and has gotten him the recognition he deserves for his impressive piercing work. But don’t think he basks in all his glory; Cholo is as humble as they come. “I’ve just been in a lot of shops and have been around a lot of great artists,” he explains. “Plus, having my whole face tatted up kind of helped, too. People know me for my face tattoo.” Besides his obvious face tattoo and whole bodywork, Cholo also has numerous piercings. Not only is he addicted to doing them; he’s also addicted to getting them. While he can’t exactly pinpoint just how many piercings he has, just know that it’s a lot! “I’m pierced from head to toe and everything in between,” he says. “I’ve done every kind of piercing. From tongue splitting to dermal anchoring and implants. I hope to get more in the future.”

Having been in the industry for while, Cholo has seen his fair share of piercings. “I’ve pierced just about every body part on a human body,” he says. “Nothing surprises or shocks me anymore. I’ve pierced everything from balls to guiches and every other bizarre body part you could imagine.” To most, all the body modifications Cholo does might seem extreme, but not to him. It’s just another day at the office for Cholo. “To me body modifications aren’t the most extreme thing a person could do,” he explains. “It might be to some, but body building in general is more extreme than body modifications.” While many might not share the same sentiment as Cholo, most agree that you have to be committed if you’re going to get some type of tattoo or piercing. “I never regret anything I’ve done to my body. But, I can’t say that I’ll think the same when I’m older,” he adds.