About Mancha
Eriq Rene Martinez, known professionally as Mancha, brings 7.5 years of tattoo artistry experience from the Lower Valley of El Paso, Texas. Before pursuing tattooing, Eriq studied Medical Assisting at Kaplan College and Automotive Mechanics Performance Tuning at Western Technical Institute, graduating in 2010 and 2011 respectively. His journey into tattooing began in 2017 after watching the documentary “Tattoo Nation,” which revealed to him that art wasn’t just found in high-end galleries but in our neighborhoods, accessible to anyone with a story or a vision they wanted to keep for life. This realization fueled his determination to become a tattoo artist.
During his first 3.5 years, Eriq built a client following in El Paso before making a pivotal move to San Antonio in 2021, allowing him to showcase his artistic capabilities at a higher level. Now at Hyper Inkers, Eriq channels his growth mindset toward achieving artistic heights he once only imagined. Not having to overcome life as much as he did when he started has Eriq excited for what’s to come. He is forever grateful to the adversity and struggles he faced in his first few years, as they have molded him into the artist he is today.
In his work, Eriq draws constant inspiration from fellow tattoo artists, both in his shop and globally through platforms like Instagram, which remind him that artistic possibilities are limitless with dedicated effort. He commits to delivering quality work while continuously pushing for artistic growth. Eriq specializes in black and grey, blackwork, and anime tattoo styles. His dedication to the craft and continuous evolution drive his ambition to be recognized as the best tattoo artist in San Antonio, creating distinctive pieces that reflect his technical skill and creative vision.
What inspires you as an artist?
Any type of dramatic and captivating imagery that inspires emotional reaction.
Why should someone pick you for their next tattoo/to be their artist?
Simply and sweetly because I do my best to deliver an authentically good experience while paying attention to key details that make each custom tattoo individual to them.
