Meet Ernesto Burbank | Tattoo artist, artist, and apparel creator

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

Hi Ernesto, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I wanted to create a way to have more time with my family and use my natural gifts given by creation to provide for my family and secure future financial stability for my children. Tattooing, painting and creating apparel were all important to me to give a message from my heart and tell the stories of my grandmothers teachings, my apparel and artwork, consists of honoring your everyday walk of life with the acknowledgment of self appreciation to empowering the community and the people around you. This is the thoughts process behind starting my journey into my business

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I don’t know if my art sets me apart from anyone but I do take pride in creating my artwork from the teachings my grandmother gave me and the everyday prayers my mother taught me growing up, I am Diné (Navajo) and most my art comes from the stories told by our ancestors and I create my artwork to give homage but also to pass on the teachings of our creation stories to preserve knowledge and continue to give acknowledgment of the ones who came before us. I’m always excited to share the meanings behind my artwork so that we as a people can appreciate one another and give our appreciation to all of life. I would want the world to know my artwork comes from a beautiful place and overcame a lot of adversity and hardship to understanding the beauty of life. It definitely was not easy to get to where I am today but with the love given by my family and the understanding that life is beautiful really helped me to become appreciative of the life we all have on earth.

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?
Hiking the surrounding mountains and trails available within our area, trail cycling across the city as we have trails that give beautiful views throughout Tempe, Scottsdale and phoenix. Downtown first Friday and Saturday morning farmers market with native art markets as it’s important and always beautiful to learn directly from the artists who create art and jewelry, and apparel. For eats I like to go to little O’s for brunch and taco chiwas and hamburger and wings from Murphys law Irish pub. Downtown murals are a blast to look at and fine food in the art district.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My grandmother and mother are a huge reason behind my success. I’ve learned so much from their teachings and actions they do within their everyday life, their hard work of rug weaving and gratitude they show all of creation humbles me to appreciate my gift of art. Growing up I’ve seen them help others without asking for anything in return and always being happy with helping other that my goals are to help my community and people in the ways.

Website: Www.honorlifecollective.com

Instagram: Ernesto_burbank