We recently connected with C.J Rued and have shared our conversation below.

C.J, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

They way I learned how to tattoo was how you are supposed too in the tattooing industry. I went out an got myself an apprenticeship. Wasn’t an easy task by any means. I ended up bouncing around shops 3 to be exact. Knowing what I know now. I would of been a little picker about who I wanted to learn under, only because I spent a good amount of time learning what NOT TO DO. As far as speeding up the process that’s a tricky thing because this isn’t the kinda skill you want to do that with. The most essential thing is to learn how to tune the rest of your life out while you are in the shop learning. Quoting the OG. Freddy Corbin “you kinda have to be half a cowboy to make it” the industry has changed a lot since I even started. It was still a lot of outlawish vibes goin on 10 years ago. What honestly kept me wanting to learn more was the fact you have to adapt to the new styles that are coming out. Even if it’s within the style you are known for. It’s art man someone is gonna take it an put there spin on it.

C.J, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hello everyone! My name is C.J I am a tattoo artist out of Las Vegas NV. My story of how I got in the industry isn’t a crazy one, I just got tired of being in construction an working under someone else. Art has always been a passion of mine I held close to me. My mom and grandfather were very good artists themselves an I was lucky enough to grow up using their art supplies as toys! My up bringing was rough. Grew up in a gang infested neighborhood. As a teenager ran the streets. Got in enough trouble that my family decided to send me away. I moved to Las Vegas at the age of 14 and never left. Had odd jobs for a long time and started to get tattooed when I met an artist. The local tattoo shop at the time was a smoke shop too so I used to hang around there an fish for cigarettes. Naturally. Sparking convos here an there with the artist working there.

Now, fast forward about 5 years i just had a baby. Wasn’t happy doing construction and I had an accident on the job that almost killed me. I had an epiphany. The very next day decided to try an land an apprenticeship. A week later I got my first one. Worked as hard as I could and now 10 years later here I am.

What im most known for now a days is more on the horror an darker side of art an style of tattoos. I do black and grey illustrative realism/ dark trash realism. I can do most styles of tattooing. I choose not too now a days because I have gained enough traction on the styles im doing now.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me! It’s me being able to leave my positive mark on the world and with the people I tattoo. Sometimes just the experience alone getting tattooed can pull people out of a bad spot mentally. People trust you with their idea Las of what will enhance their confidence, or help them overcoming something that drove them to get a tattoo.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is only be the best artist I can be. At the same time give my son the life I didn’t have.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: tattoos_by_cjrued