Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivan Rueda.
Hi Ivan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Ivan Rueda, I’m 34 years old and I was born in Bogota, Colombia. I started as a student of graphic design always focused on tattooing which then led me to tattoo when I was 26 years old, I had the opportunity to be an apprentice at a tattoo shop called “Tinta y Sangre” in Colombia where I learned different techniques and how to polish my skills as a tattoo artist, I have been doing it for 8 years now in which every day I have the opportunity of learning something new. I came to Dallas four years ago, and I started tattooing in Cat Tattoo located in Addison, TX which is where I worked for about three years. Since last year I have been given the opportunity to work at Dark Age in Denton, TX. Not only that I have been blessed to have the opportunities to work in different cities of the country and different countries such as; Chicago, New York, Utah, Detroit, California, Mexico, and Peru; participating in different conventions.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like everything in life, nothing is easy, as a tattoo artist it was not easy for me to start. One of the biggest challenges that I had, when I started, was receiving the opportunity for me to demonstrate my hard work, dedication, and passion for this lifestyle. Unfortunately, in Colombia, the lack of opportunities and economic situation was always a huge challenge that as Colombians we have to face and learn how to use those to take advantage of every opportunity we are given. Not only that, it has not been easy for me and my family to restart our whole life in a different country with different culture, language, and lifestyle. It has been a complete challenge to adapt to this new life in which I still to this day keep adapting and learning new things. One of the things that I keep adapting and learning is how to respond to the intolerance for part of some people that I face on a day-to-day basis for coming from a different culture.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m still in the process of increasing and improving my versatility as a tattoo artist and using every chance that I get to keep learning new skills and techniques to help me grow as a tattoo artist and as a person. I specialized in black and gray, and color tattoos and I try that every piece has part of my style. I’m proud of the constant work and dedication that I have been putting in these past years that have led me to the growth that I have gotten so far. That proudness and work I think is part of what separates me from others.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ivan.ruedart
- Facebook: Ivan Rueda
Image Credits
Ivan rueda
