Our Artists

Meet Our Minneapolis Tattoo Artists

Two tattoo artists with distinct journeys but shared dedication to precision, custom work, and making your Minneapolis tattoo experience exceptional.

Studio AZ is intentionally small — two artists, not twenty. That means every tattoo artist our Minneapolis clients work with is hand-picked, fully booked by appointment, and invested in your project from consultation to final heal. Both Joan and Andrew specialize in realism, fine line, and black & grey tattoos at our tattoo shop Minneapolis studio. Both are Spanish-first artists — English consultations are fully supported through our coordination team.

Joan brings five years of self-taught precision from Nicaragua — his detail work in fine line and realism sets a high bar. Andrew brings festival-level experience from conventions in Chicago, Baltimore, and Milwaukee, with a storytelling approach rooted in his Tlaxcala, Mexico heritage. Together they cover every major style and make Studio AZ one of the few Spanish-speaking tattoo studios in the Twin Cities — with full English consultation support.

Explore our custom tattoo services or browse the full portfolio to see what each tattoo artist in Minneapolis has to offer.

Joan Martinez, tattoo artist at Studio AZ in Minneapolis

5 Years · Self-Taught · Nicaragua

Joan Martinez

Every detail matters. A tattoo lives on your skin forever, so every line, every shade, every transition has to be intentional.

@joan_martinez_tattoo
Fine line floral amor tattoo on forearm by Joan Martinez at Studio AZ Tattoo Minneapolis
Fine line geometric planet tattoo on forearm by Joan Martinez at Studio AZ Tattoo Minneapolis
Fine line script names tattoo on hand by Joan Martinez at Studio AZ Tattoo Minneapolis
Realism Chicana portrait tattoo in Minneapolis by Joan Martinez at Studio AZ
Realism portrait queen tattoo on forearm by Joan Martinez at Studio AZ Tattoo Minneapolis

Joan truly embodies the saying "excellence is in the details." Coming from Nicaragua to the US has challenged him in more ways than one — and he came out the other side stronger. Joan is wired to continually improve and make a name for himself in Minneapolis.

View Portfolio@joan_martinez_tattoo
Andrew Fernandez, tattoo artist at Studio AZ in Minneapolis

4 Years · Convention Circuit · Tlaxcala, Mexico

Andrew Fernandez

Every tattoo should tell a story. I pull from my travels and training across the US and Latin America to bring diverse techniques to every piece.

@andrefernan_tattoo
Realism Jesus Christ forearm tattoo by Andrew Fernandez at Studio AZ Tattoo Minneapolis
Realism tiger mountain and crow sleeve tattoo by Andrew Fernandez at Studio AZ Minneapolis
Realism angel and dove sleeve tattoo by Andrew Fernandez at Studio AZ Tattoo Minneapolis

Coming from Mexico's vibrant Puebla region, Tlaxcala, Andrew brings a blend of local heritage and global tattoo artistry. His journey for mentorships and tattoo education across the US and Latin America has infused his work with diverse techniques and styles, ensuring each piece tells a unique story.

View Portfolio@andrefernan_tattoo

Not Sure Which Artist? We'll Help You Decide

Both artists work in similar styles, but their approaches are different. If you're not sure who's the right fit for your piece, submit a general booking request and our front desk will match you with the best tattoo artist in Minneapolis based on your concept, style preferences, and availability.

You can also browse each artist's portfolio above to compare their work — or check our FAQ for more guidance on choosing the right artist for your tattoo.

Submit a Booking Request