Nice to Meet Ya: Roberto “Seize” Antonio

Fate sometimes has a hand in a person’s life. A coin flips to go left instead of right, going east from the west or vice versa, one simple event can change the direction in a person’s life.

That’s the interesting thing about being alive. Tragedy can be thrown at you, but can lead to something better and more fulfilling, and you don’t even realize it. When you do realize it, you look back and count your blessings.

Roberto Barrios did. Known as Roberto “Seize” Antonio (his artist name) of Hill Country Arts Piercings and Tattoos, he experienced a circuitous route starting in Connecticut. Growing up, he was fascinated by his uncle’s tattoos and even drew them on paper at the age of four. At twelve, he inked his first tattoo, on his cousin’s wrist. At 19, he was working at his craft part time. Next, he mastered his craft in the U.S. Navy while being assigned to a medical unit. But along the way, he lost his wife to leukemia and wondered what he would do as a career.

“I tried paving, roofing and welding, trying to find a new career, but [I] wanted to be in the medical field,” Seize said. “Then a friend had a tattoo shop in 1996, and was willing to give it to me turn key (complete business). It was then straight to owning a shop,” he said. He’s been in the tattoo business for over 25 years.

Soon he owned five tattoo shops all called the same. “Called Murder Ink, based on the(fictitious) original owner, Al Capone who owned a tatoo shop in a movie.” An image of Al Capone was in the logo of the tattoo shops.

“The economy went south, so I sold those shops for another in Daytona (Florida) called Buzzing Bamboo.” But local officials wanted to ‘clean up’ the area and canceled spring break and other events. “Tourism suffered,” he said.

He then joined a Florida tattoo franchise, Ink Spot and worked around the state, “six months here and six months there traveling around…I wanted to settle down from travelling. I’d make friends then lose them. It got old.”

Then Hurricane Irma hit and he lost everything. He had a friend who lived in Dripping Springs and offered to help. “I lost clothes, a suitcase and my motorcycle wouldn’t start,” he continued.

“Reluctantly…I had never been to Texas. I had only seen it on TV, tumbleweeds and desert…. I got to breathe and fell in love with Dripping Springs.”

Next question, what to do for work? An open shop at the corner of the Historical District seemed perfect. “I had to prove myself to get in.” Previously, a tattoo artist in town was not pleasing clients, and left the area, according to Seize.

But Seize built the shop alone while waiting for permits. Working at Home Depot, he had a lot of contact with the community. He also did a lot of karaoke around town. A few individuals were against his business and vocal about it.

But the local support came to his rescue. Two presentations to the city proved successful. “I was amazed at the people that showed up, important people that stood up on my behalf at the first presentation,” he said.

He had to have his license, got it, and was ready to open. “It was a big gamble, but God looked after me,” Seize said. “Good reviews since I opened.” Being closed for three months hurt due to pandemic, but the community still supported him through sales of gift cards.

Being able to stay open again has been a plus for the shop. “We do a lot of piercings, even children... we’re five stars, we’re trained better and cleaner. Why travel to Austin?”

“The whole community made a big deal for me to be here,” he continued. “I am loyal to Dripping Springs and try to give back.” Wiped out by a hurricane, with nowhere else to turn, Seize arrived in Dripping Springs to find true community and a place he belongs.

To learn more about Seize’s business, you can visit hillcountryartstattoo.com