JOSE "Butch" BAUTISTA, Jr.

A Man with Infinite Imagination

Have you ever thought about getting your skin tattooed? Or even thought about doing it on someone else’s skin? Butch Bautista thought of both. And on May 2006, a daring move to put up a tattoo shop where he could dedicate majority of his time in the town of Rizal made him realize how more successful he could be by facing this risk.

Butch Bautista was born November 16, in Quezon City and occasionally spending his time in Taytay. There were not much exposure to tattoos while growing up, but his love for art was always there since he first picked up his pencil and drew something on paper. He got his interest in tattoos when he was asked by classmates to make mock tattoos using a plain pen, eventually getting his ring finger inked back when he was in college. Unfortunately, he had to hide that tattoo as his folks didn’t like the idea of people getting one. After finishing college, Butch worked normal day jobs and only did tattoos as a hobby on the side when his friends and buddies would ask for it. Sensing that he could enhance his skills some more, and eventually earn more than what he’s getting, Butch decided to hone his craft and became a full-time tattoo artist. Butch joined the Philippine Tattoo Artist Guild (PHILTAG) – an organization certified by the Department of Health, eventually meeting his mentors that helped him refine his works. With that decision came a lot of adjustments and sacrifices for him and his family. He had to shuttle back and forth to different locations, shared spaces with other artists and serviced clients at home.

All the sacrifice and dedication paid off eventually. Butch is a consistent figure during tattoo conventions, expositions and competitions. He doesn’t fail to garner different awards every time he competes. Butch is known for portrait tattoos and designs with dark and creepy themes. His list of clients range from known actors, models, sports stars and even government officials.

Today, he continues to work his craft and shares it to those who, just like him, started out with the love for art on the road to becoming a well-known tattoo artist.