Pina Pain, call me 100% Chicano style artist.

Alberto Pina Murillo (aka Pina Pain) is an artist who likes to see things from the other side to get a proper perspective on his life. He works in Madrid and it’s time to get to know him better.

Alberto, have you always wanted to be a tattoo artist in life or was there a particular circumstance that prompted you to embrace this world of tattoo art?
I never really imagined when I started that I would end up dedicating myself 100% to tattooing. I started tattooing at the age of 18 and what led me to this without a doubt was the strong attraction I felt to Chicano art.

I drew and studied it all the time, when I wanted to realize my own version of Chicano Art. I bought a machine and I simply set out to soak up everything I could learn and that’s how I continue to this day.

You simply call yourself a ‘Black-n-Grey’ tattoo artist, but in my opinion your art also embraces Realism, Chicano (as you said before), classical art and other influences. Do you agree with me?
I would love to be able to tell you that I am a 100% Chicano style tattoo artist but I have not grown up surrounded by that culture although I love it and I have always wanted to imitate its art. Growing up in Europe and being surrounded by classical art influences and by European Realistic tattoo style, have made me create a mixed style.

A style in which I am basically not looking for a Realistic one as such but rather a finish similar to what a pencil drawing would be.

Looking for strong contrasts but at the same time some softness because I have always appreciated the style of the USA West Coast.

Do you think you had any masters/mentors you would like to thank or do you consider yourself a completely DIY tattoo artist?
Yes, of course. Throughout my career I have been lucky enough to meet and work with incredible people who have influenced me and taught me a lot.

I would like to especially thank my crew T2FA and HKCLUB.

I can mention many people but with these two groups everyone is included. Just thank you all for the help and support!

Tell me about your workplace, the ‘Hall Kids Tattoo Club’ in Madrid? I saw that there are seven artists plus a few guests who will certainly come to visit, so I guess you like chaotic places full of creative energy…
Yeah, ‘Hall Kids Tattoo Club’ (IG: @hallkids_tattoo) is our studio. My childhood friend and I created it a couple of years ago, and since then the studio has not stopped growing.

A month ago we opened the new studio and now we have 14 artists of different styles and during 2024 we will begin to receive other artist friends from different parts of the world. I always wanted to create a point of reference in Madrid and we are on that path right now. It’s incredible to have the opportunity to share with so many inspiring people at the same time.

I have noticed in several photos posted on your Instagram that you like to see the world from above since, when you are in metropolises (New York, Los Angeles, Taipei, etc.), you often have your picture taken on rooftops or on top of skyscrapers. Does “seeing things from above”, this kind of elevation from earthly things also help you in your tattoo business?
Wow, that’s a very good question! The truth is that I had not even considered that, but I have to admit that I feel a strong attraction to see spaces from above. I like to see the highest points of all the cities I visit.

Let’s say that it gives me peace and I enjoy that moment, as I stop to think about how everything is going in general.

If the path is correct within tattooing and in personal life from a high place I would always see everything clearer.

Do you often travel to tattoo conventions and guest spots?
Of course! From a very young age I have had the opportunity to travel around the world visiting conventions, tattoo studios and learning from many different artists and their own culture.

Where will you be guesting next months?
This year 2024 I will be a little calmer since we have just opened a new studio. Next future I will be more focused on Taiwan and Hong Kong. I have already participated in their tattoo conventions on different occasions and tattooed in friends’ studios but yeah, I am interested in starting to spend more time there.

Let’s also talk for a moment about your tattoos, I mean the ones you sport on your body: whose are those portraits you sport on both your legs? On the left is a beautiful female subject if I’m not mistaken…
The left leg where a woman appears in the tibia area is a complete work by my friend Tha Homz (IG: @tha_homz). You can find him tattooing in Switzerland, I have learnt a lot from him and I have to thank him for many things. On the right leg they are portraits from movies by my friend Exclusive Juan (IG: @exclusivejuan). You can find him in Salinas, Northern California. I have also learnt a lot from him and I have to thank him a lot. Greetings guys!