For a long time, tattoos have been negatively stigmatized in our society (and sometimes still are). “Only criminals get tattoos!” “Tattoos are for gang bangers!” You’ll never be able to get a professional job with all of those! I’ve heard these sentiments expressed often. However, in today’s modern culture, more so than ever, this negative stigma on tattoos is quickly dissolving. Chops, the owner and lead tattoo artist at Papillion Family Studios here in Sayulita is profoundly talented, professional, and deeply passionate for his craft. Chops is unmistakably and wonderfully, Chops—even his name is intriguing. What does “Chops” really mean? Is it a guise, or some kind of pen name? Is he a “one name only” artist, like Prince or Cher? Chops’s intrigue and signature style are not only in his name, but in his entire persona. Whether it be the black, short sleeve button-up he wears daily (only the top button buttoned, of course, revealing his fully tattooed stomach), his long, red, ZZ Top inspired beard, or his kind heart and tell-it-like-it-is personality, Sayulita knows Chops when we see him. I talk with Chops about his career in tattooing, his signature style, and about his tattoo shop, Papillion Family Studios.

We ask Marcos, from La Hamaca Gallery, the above questions. La Hamaca’s offers a wide variety of local 'artesanias' that are not only known for their splendid colors, but are also generally considered to have a purpose beyond the decorative and are crafted by the many indigenous groups of Mexico, from Oaxaca to Nayarit, to the Yucatan.