We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rebecca Rodela. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rebecca below.

Rebecca , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I was 6 years old when I knew and announced to my parents that I wanted to be a tattoo artist. I felt intrigued by the art form and thought it was powerful how art could become an active, living being.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I first voiced my interest and desire to become the (tattoo) artist I am today when I was 6 years old. I told my parents that I knew the career that I wanted to do and while they initially thought it was a phase, they were extremely supportive. I started actively seeking out apprenticeships during high school and even once I graduated from college. With many redirections, I achieved my goal in 2017, when I first became licensed in the state of Oregon. Since then, I have been able to tattoo in Washington and in New York. am currently based out of the Portland/ Vancouver, WA area and work out of a studio in SE Portland.

I love creating custom designs for my diverse clientele. In 2014, I received my B.A. in Art Practices from PSU and since then have maintained a balanced art career outside of tattooing. Drawing, painting, freelance & commissioned work, embroidery and murals are some of the mediums I stay busy with. I am proud of the wide array of opportunities my career has allowed me to have and hope to continue to push myself to learn and expand my knowledge any way I can. You can check out my work around Portland and in a couple county buildings too!

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

My goal and mission with my work is to increase its accessibility to my community. As a Chicana growing up in Portland, many of us Black and Brown individuals have been further marginalized from gentrification. Representation with varying work positions, and even more so in the arts/ tattooing world, were not readily available as I was going about my journey. I have always been proud of my identity and cultural upbringing yet have never had a space outside of my home to celebrate that. I want(ed) to provide that same sense of safety and nostalgia to others whom may have felt misplaced.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an tattoo artist is being able to empower my clients and help them reclaim their body and boost their confidence in their identity. Having the opportunity to work with so many different individuals on such an intimate level has been extremely therapeutic for me as well. I have been able to set a safe space up not only for them, but as a by product, for myself as well to be vulnerable and to have open conversation about life experiences.

On another level, with my work in general, be it with painting, murals, private commissions, etc., I have been successful in creating imagery and pieces which many folks can relate to because of their nostalgia. I base a lot of my own paintings off of family photographs and the remainder of my work is also highly culturally influenced. Regardless of someone’s cultural background or upbringing, the fact that they can see a particular symbol or painting of a figure and have it stir up a memory or feeling that they too have experienced in their life, means a great deal with me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @rebeccaarte
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArteyAlma13
• Other: http://www.saintandsinners.com/rebecca