Today we’d like to introduce you to Iván Alejandro Rangel Salas.
Iván Alejandro, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Ever since I was a kid, art has been a huge part of my life. I spent hours drawing at school and was always known as “the kid who was always drawing.” That passion led me to study art, technical drawing, industrial drawing, and graphic arts. Later, I chose to study Industrial Design because I’ve always loved creativity and turning ideas into reality.
During the pandemic, my life changed dramatically. I had just gone through the end of a four-year relationship, and I felt lost. I didn’t know what direction my life was going to take.
One day, I came across a YouTube video that talked about using difficult times as an opportunity to completely change your life by pursuing something you’ve always wanted to do.
That’s when I discovered the world of tattooing. I had never really paid attention to it before, but I became fascinated by tattoo photos, videos, and artists from around the world. The more I learned, the more I knew this was what I wanted to do.
At the same time, I was struggling financially. I had made some poor financial decisions, including buying a motorcycle that left me with a significant debt. To pay it off, I worked the night shift collecting trash at a factory in Monterrey, Mexico, while attending online college classes during the day. Between school, work, heartbreak, and debt, I felt like everything in my life was going wrong.
Once I finally paid off the motorcycle, I used the extra money to buy my very first tattoo machine. Looking back, it was one of the best investments I’ve ever made.
I practiced every day. I got back into the gym, regained my motivation, and slowly my life started moving in a better direction.
I tried joining several tattoo studios in my hometown, but every door remained closed. Instead of giving up, I rented a small room inside a barbershop that I found on Facebook Marketplace. I started with nothing more than a tattoo bed and gradually built my workspace.
I promoted my work on Facebook Marketplace and local Facebook groups, and before long my schedule was fully booked. I was tattooing every day, making a living doing what I loved, and finally seeing my hard work pay off.
While finishing my university degree online, I began traveling, upgrading my equipment, and investing in becoming a better artist.
Later, I renewed my visa to visit Texas for two weeks with the goal of buying better tattoo machines, an iPad, and other professional equipment.
But when I arrived in Dallas, everything changed. I instantly fell in love with the city and realized the tattoo industry here was far more developed than what I had experienced before. I knew this was where I wanted to build my future.
I made the life-changing decision to stay in the United States.
For six months I worked at a Mexican restaurant while saving money and buying tattoo equipment through Amazon. During that time, I wrote down a clear plan in a notebook: leave the restaurant and become a professional tattoo artist in Dallas.
Soon afterward, one of my clients told me that a tattoo studio in Mansfield was looking for artists. I took the opportunity, and it became my first tattoo studio in Texas.
Over the following years, I worked at different studios, learning something valuable from every experience. Some places weren’t the right fit, but each one helped me grow both personally and professionally.
Eventually, I joined a studio in Addison that became one of the most important chapters of my career. Working alongside so many talented artists allowed me to improve my skills, learn from experienced professionals, and better understand the tattoo industry. I’ll always be grateful for that experience.
Today, I work at a studio much closer to where I live. I’ve found a healthy balance between my personal life and my career, and I’m grateful that I get to do what I once dreamed of every single day.
I’ve already attended my first tattoo convention, and I know this is only the beginning. My goal is to travel, participate in more conventions, meet artists from around the world, and continue growing both as an artist and as a person.
Tattooing completely changed my life. What started as a decision made during one of the hardest moments of my life became the dream I’m fortunate enough to live every day.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been an easy journey.
Without a doubt, the biggest challenge has been immigrating to another country and starting completely from scratch. Arriving in a place where no one knows you, where you don’t fully understand the language, and where the culture and way of life are completely different from what you’re used to.
I remember working regular jobs and telling my coworkers that my dream was to become a tattoo artist. Many of them laughed or looked at me with disbelief, making me feel as though my dream was unrealistic or impossible to achieve.
Building a career in the tattoo industry as an immigrant also came with its own challenges. There were times when I felt like I didn’t belong. I saw local artists who had already established themselves, while I was buying the cheapest clothes I could because most of my money went toward rent, bills, and the expenses that come with starting a new life.
Starting over means building everything from the ground up: buying a car, paying for insurance, getting a phone, setting up internet service, obtaining an ITIN, and learning how an entirely new system works. These are things that no one really teaches you—you learn through trial and error.
One of the hardest parts was walking into tattoo studios, hoping someone would give me an opportunity, even if it was only as an apprentice. Time after time I was rejected. Some studio owners simply told me no, while others closed the door before I even had a chance to prove myself.
But I never let rejection define my future. I kept improving my work, kept knocking on doors, and refused to give up. Eventually, my persistence paid off, and the opportunities I had been working toward finally started to appear.
Looking back, I realize every obstacle helped shape the artist I am today. If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that consistency and perseverance eventually open the doors that once seemed impossible to enter.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a tattoo artist specializing in black and gray realism. To me, tattooing is more than a profession—it’s another form of art. Beyond tattooing, I paint, draw, and enjoy creating artwork that tells a story and connects with people on a deeper level.
I also love sharing my creative process. I create videos and vlogs that show how each piece comes to life, from the first sketch to the finished tattoo. I want people to see not only the final result but also the passion, discipline, and artistic process behind every piece.
I studied Industrial Design, which has had a major influence on the way I approach creativity. It taught me to think differently, solve problems through design, and constantly look for new ways to create. I’ve also worked as a model, which gave me another perspective on aesthetics, self-expression, and visual presentation.
What I’m most proud of is my journey. I came to Texas as an immigrant with nothing and had to build my life and career from the ground up. In less than three years, I was able to establish myself in a highly competitive industry and earn opportunities alongside people who have lived here their entire lives. That experience gave me the confidence to believe that, with hard work, discipline, and persistence, almost anything is possible.
What sets me apart is that I don’t see myself as just a tattoo artist. I’m a creator. Whether I’m tattooing, painting, designing, or documenting my creative process, my goal is always the same: to create meaningful art that leaves a lasting impression.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To me, success is not only about money or recognition. Success means building a life where I can live from my art, grow as a creative, and have the freedom to express myself through my work.
It also means having balance in my life—being able to actually live it, have time for myself, and make space for more than just work. I don’t want a life that is only about working, but one where I can enjoy the process and the journey as well.
Coming from starting over in a new country, success also represents progress. Every step forward, every client, and every piece of art I create from my own ideas is part of that success.
For me, success is also about doing what you need to do, keeping your word to yourself, and having discipline. It means staying consistent, being responsible with your goals, and not betraying your own standards.
In the end, success is being able to turn my passion into a sustainable career while staying true to my creativity and continuing to grow as both an artist and a person.
Pricing:
- 300
- 450
- 700
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallaspideytattoo?igsh=dGFjanRheTh3eWNk&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@spideytattoo1000?_r=1&_t=ZP-97edRgSs9C3
