Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Rodela

Hi Rebecca, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

My name is Rebecca Rodela and I am a Chicana tattoo artist based out of Portland, OR. My journey as an artist truly began when I was very young. I had an innate passion for the arts and spent a good majority of my youth drawing and doing my best to submerge myself in the (art) culture. Since accessibility to art wasn’t readily available, specifically as a Brown girl in the PNW, I had to seek out representation and ways to supplement any foundational exposure I had via my parents as a child. Visiting museums, galleries, observing elder artist friends work, and reading more about artists/ art history further deepened my interest in expanding my knowledge for this field. So much so, that at 6, I announced to my parents that I wanted to pursue and become a tattoo artist when I grew up. So, my lifelong determination of becoming what my childhood self wanted to be began.

I took my first art classes during high school and even had an internship in the marketing department of a local restaurant chain where I was able to publish my first official project at the age of 14. I continued on to get my Bachelors Degree in Art from Portland State University. I had more publications, gallery showings, and art shows after graduating and in 2016 I started tattoo school here in Oregon. In 2017 I earned my tattooing license and have been enjoying my career as a professional, multidimensional artist since then, having had the opportunity to tattoo in Washington state and in New York multiple times. I am currently the manager of Saint and Sinners tattoo shop in SE Portland.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

The road to becoming the artist I am today was one that I can proudly say I put a lot of hard work into. With tattooing, I am working in a male dominated field. Add on to the fact that I am a Chicana and also based out of Portland/ the Pacific northwest, the competition and sense of displacement with not being around more artists that look like me is an additional layer of that I have had to work even harder to make a name for myself. In 2016 before starting tattoo school, I had actually landed an apprenticeship up in Vancouver, WA. I always had it in my mind (go figure an angsty, stubborn teenager setting expectations for myself), that having an apprenticeship was the best way to go about getting licensed and landing a career in tattooing. While there are many benefits of having an apprenticeship and using it as a way to attain more knowledge, it was not the route that was going to properly get my foot in the door. I felt disrespected and as though my interest in this apprentice position was not being taken seriously as a young female artist. So I took it upon myself to leave that environment and go to school. I can say confidently though that by being one of the “few” here in Portland has shown to be appreciated. I am proud to be a resource and accessible artists to those in the community that are seeking out someone who shares their own experiences and cultural background.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

With tattooing, I specialize in custom designs. My work is described to be painterly and heavily influenced by my Chicana heritage. With my work outside of tattooing, such as with my murals and paintings, I definitely base it off of my cultural background and identity. I take a lot of the imagery and symbols that I grew up surrounded by, be it referenced from religious iconography, family photos, or other items, and incorporate it in the work I do to create a sense of universal nostalgia.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?

Honestly, fellow artists that I have been fortunate enough to meet and get to know throughout the years have been great sources of motivation and inspiration for me. That sense of community is a huge factor in me doing my best and staying active especially in times that I have really struggled to feel welcomed or “at home.”

Pricing:

• $150/ hr for tattooing

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @rebeccarte
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArteyAlma13

Image Credits

Photo credit: Ricardo Mendoza