Today we’d like to introduce you to Dylan Kleinberger.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dylan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m originally from Dayton, Ohio but moved to the great state of Texas back in 2013. I started tattooing two years later. I was taught by my mentor, Victoria Del Rio of Rose & Anchor tattoo. She really broke everything down from how to deal with customers, all the way to application. If I didn’t understand something, she would find a different way to explain it. It truly showed how much she loves tattooing. I wouldn’t be where I am in life today without her guidance and am eternally grateful for everything she’s done for me.
I’ll tattoo anything from the tiny cute stuff you see on Pinterest to larger scale work. My favorite style overall to tattoo is an American tradition, with a lot of movement and energy. The more aggressive and exciting the better.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I wish I could answer this with more experience in my career because I feel like the road is just starting. Yes, there have been some struggles, but tattooing is worth whatever struggle it comes with.
Tattooing in itself is challenging in general. I meet people who have been tattooing for 20 years or more and they’ll even tell you that they’re constantly learning. A lot of work goes into making a nice tattoo aside from the initial application. Being a tattooer doesn’t just stop when you leave the shop. It’s an all around the clock, 24/7 thing. From drawing or painting late nights to spending off days looking for inspiration or reference for a future design. I’m constantly trying to better myself.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’ve only ever worked at Victoria Del Rio’s Rose & Anchor Tattoo in Katy, TX. I take a lot of pride in working here and have always considered it a second home. I love that everyone here works as a team and challenges each other day in and out.
I don’t want to be a one trick pony. I’d like to be able to do anything that walks through the door. If I know something is within my skill set, I’ll take it on like a tattoo. From fine line black and grey to color with bold lines.
I tattoo for the longevity of the tattoo. Everything from design to placement, to an application, is with that in mind. It doesn’t matter how cool someone’s fresh tattoo looks on Instagram if it heals out bad. You don’t live with the fresh tattoo, you live with the healed tattoo. How the tattoo looks healed is the only thing that matters.
What were you like growing up?
Starting at a very young age, I grew up in and around tattooing through friends and family who tattooed. So, it’s always been my first love and ultimately, the end goal.
Contact Info:
- Address: 930 S. Mason Rd. Katy, TX 77450
- Phone: 281-371-0439
- Email: dylanktattoo@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dylanktattoo
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