Meet Sterling McQueen | Visual Artist & Tattooist

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

Hi Sterling, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Growing up, my family owned a barbershop. I got my hair cut there, I hung out there, I watched my late grandfather run it, pass it down to my dad, I helped him run it since I was a kid and he passed it down to me at age 23. I guess it was kind of engrained in my fiber how to run a business, just a matter of me deciding exactly what industry I wanted to be in. I’ve always been into art, all of my life, I started drawing in the 2nd grade and took art classes from then on through highs school. It was then, in the 10th grade I believe that I got my first tattoos. After moving to Phoenix AZ in 2018, I got back into painting and was getting some decent recognition on my social media from it and decided then, “why not just start tattooing” and see where it can take me career wise.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is a mixture of pop art, and semi-realism. I’m proud of all of my work but what excites me the most to create is animals. Animals are my favorite subject across the board whether it be drawing, painting or tattooing but I’ve always just loved animals in general of all kinds. I got to where I am today simply from continuing to push forward towards my goal of being in the art industry in some capacity. It took a lot of networking, long nights of staying up being lost in my art to finish a project and also a lot of being told “no” but all you need is one “yes”. I can’t say that it was easy but nothing in life worthwhile is. I overcame my challenges by doing what I’m sure a lot of people hear, I just kept going. Even though I had been turned down time and time again for apprenticeships to get into tattoo shops, I never stopped creating, I never stopped reaching out, I never stopped reaching my out. I’ve learned that if you apply that tenacious attitude to anything you can succeed in it, it may not take the time you thought it would, and things don’t always go as planned but never give up, just keep going, and you will eventually reach your goals and dreams.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Unfortunately the pandemic ate a lot of the places I once would take a friend to in the city, but luckily Pheonix is such a grand scale of a city that there is always a something popping up to do here. I love sports so if I would def have to take friends in the city to the footprint arena to catch a Suns game if it’s during the season. I live in the east valley so there are plenty of places to hike there such as South Mountain, catch nice views and fresh air. One of my fav places to go get food and a drink and just catch a vibe is the Lux in central Phx. Dope spot, I go there even to just get work done because I love the vibes. Catch a first Friday downtown if it’s the beginning of the month, or even catching a sunset is something I could honestly never get tired of living out here.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I first have ti give a shout out to God, the most high for seeing me through this journey and allowing me to be alive to share my talents with the world. Secondly, everyone who has ever supported me deserves a shoutout in my opinion. Any form of support whether it be my family who loves and supports me and my dreams from across the country, my friends that have purchased art from me and spread the word to anyone they knew about my work. To my clients who have trusted me to put permanent work on their skin, and to those who even saw my work online and liked it or saw it in person and told me that they liked it. All of it means so much to me and it is very much appreciated.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/_sterlingsilver?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=