What do you get when you cross a tattoo shop with an environmental nonprofit? No, this isn’t the start of a bad joke…it’s our latest partnership that supports monarch butterflies! The Central Coast State Parks Association (CCSPA) has teamed up with artists at Electric Monarch Tattoo to create eye-catching, unique art that highlights the western monarch butterfly. CCSPA’s Retail Operations Manager, Angelena Masicampo, spearheaded this project with Josh Rodriguez and Skylar Grove of Electric Monarch.
Read Angelena’s story below!
The Pismo State Beach Monarch Grove is one of the most frequently visited State Parks here on the Central Coast, attracting thousands of people each day during butterfly season.* CCSPA operates the Monarch Mercantile Trailer there, and this year we wanted to look for ways to appeal to a wider demographic of visitors. When I was trying to think of different styles that more people might prefer to wear, I thought about the shirts and crewnecks I have from some of our local tattoo shops. The thought “we should have a tattoo artist design a shirt!” was quickly followed by “Josh Rodriguez!”
I’ve been lucky enough to have work done by Josh more than once. We’ve also had some preliminary discussions about my next tattoos! I knew he would be able to make a monarch graphic for a shirt that would be bold, bright, beautiful and cool.
To get the whole process going, Julie Lewis, our other Retail Operations Manager, provided specifications for what would be best for printing and what would accurately represent our local flora and the monarchs themselves.
Josh and I met up at Electric Monarch to review the specifications. While we were talking, catching up, and going over the details, he sketched up an idea on his tablet. Without fail, I am amazed every time an artist creates something right before my eyes. Just like magic, seemingly, all of a sudden an image appeared! The mockup was just as incredible as I thought it would be, if not better. Over the course of the next few weeks with one or two adjustments, he came up with the graphic for our Electric Monarch Tee Shirt. Once it was approved by State Parks, it was go time! Within a couple of weeks, we were able to place the order and get them in!
It turned out to be something I could honestly see both my abuela and my toddler wearing. They can be purchased at the Monarch Grove off Highway 1 in Pismo Beach. If you visit late October through mid-February, you’ll see our beautiful black and orange friends during their annual migration. The shirt can also be found on our website–visit www.ccspa-store.square.site to shop now! The best part is: any purchase you make at the Grove (or any of our State Park nature stores) goes back into State Park education & preservation! And that can directly benefit monarchs!
Our collaboration with Josh was just the beginning of our partnership with Electric Monarch. He works with shop owner, Skylar Grove, and a few other wonderful artists. I’ve been lucky enough to have a few moments with Skylar to learn more about him and his venture to establishing Electric Monarch Tattoo.
After about 3 months of solo construction, and a hand from his brother-in-law, Skylar was able to open the shop on January 15th, 2020. Although the pandemic shut him down after only 2 months of operation, his savings, staying positive, and an understanding landlord helped him come out alive on the other side.
When Skylar was trying to come up with shop names, he wanted to try to find a connection with the Central Coast and electric tattooing. He tried ideas with his last name, “Grove” (in regard to trees), and he was reminded of the monarch grove down the street from his childhood home in Santa Cruz. He didn’t give it much thought after that until it was time to open and the name instantly came back to him. It just so happened, that same day, monarchs were flying all over his yard. Hence the name, Electric Monarch Tattoo!
Coincidentally, Skylar’s ties to monarchs go back to his elementary school days in Santa Cruz. Every year, his family visited the monarch grove nearby. As he got older, he started visiting and camping in Pismo Beach. He fell in love with the area and set a goal to find a way to live on the Central Coast. Six years ago, those visits eventually turned into finding a job at a shop in Pismo and finding a place to call home in Los Osos. While Pismo and the grove have a special place in Skylar’s heart, his favorite State Park on the Central Coast is Montaña de Oro State Park. After accidentally stumbling upon it years ago, in his words, “it felt like a secret hidden gem on the coast.” He felt empowered by how peaceful yet brimming with wildlife one place could be. Even now, it’s still his favorite place to sneak off to if he needs a quick break!
Skylar told me he wants the fortune he feels to resonate outwards. He has always been looking for ways to reach out and give back to the community. So, when Josh asked him about collaborating with CCSPA, he was stoked! We couldn’t be more grateful for artists and humans like Josh and Skylar. They not only share their art with the world, but they also find ways to give back. To donate their time and artwork for something that will generate funds to actually help the monarchs is monumental. Without help like theirs, nonprofits like ours wouldn’t be able to thrive.
The above artwork, created by Skylar, is currently available as an embroidered patch on our beanies and as a wooden magnet. Also in the works with this design are sustainable wooden keychains and pins! Stay tuned for those, as well as more designs from Skylar for other parks.
You can find Electric Monarch Tattoo, Josh Rodriguez, and Skylar Grove on Instagram at @electricmonarch, @joshrodriguez_emt, and @skylar_grove.
*Peak butterfly season is between Thanksgiving and New Year’s!
