Today we’d like to introduce you to Rubi Mota.
Hi Rubi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my journey in tattooing/piercing by peer pressure in 2012 lol. My mom had just passed away and had just been fired from my job asa bartender.
After being introduced to Jose Ramos a tattoo artist by my friend Peewee, I found out Jose was my next door neighbor so we became close. I then started hanging out every weekend at Goodfellas tattoos. I had noticed that they had no receptionist so I asked to work as one in exchange for tattoos and that was good enough for me.
I started my position as a receptionist and it wasn’t long after that I was then asked to be an apprentice by Puppet-the owner of Goodfellas tattoos. I honestly didn’t think it was something I would be good at. I apprenticed for a year in tattooing and piercing. My piercing mentor was Zoran and Oscar.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
My journey in tattooing has been nuts! But so amazing at the same time. I’ve had to deal with everything from bad work and anxiety to homelessness. Not everyone believes in your art right away. It’s something you have to show people your passionate and can be good at. I also didn’t believe in myself.
The bad tattoos I did when I first started definitely had me wanting to quit. I still have nightmares about them, lol. You just gotta push thru and try your hardest. Being a fan and motivator to myself was extremely hard.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have been tattooing and piercing since 2012. I specialize in cover ups and color but I love every type of tattoo work. I don’t pierce much these days due to covid-19 but I still love it.
Now that people know that I’m great at cover ups, I get tons of requests for that type of tattoo work. I’ve made a living off of fixing bad tattoos, even my own! Lol.
I’m proud of making it this far in this career. I never dreamed I would ever be in this line of work. I’ve made so many new friends and family. I’m completely blessed. I get to draw on people for a living! How cool is that?
I’m proud of myself for overcoming the craziness of life, all while continuing to tattoo. I’ve lost my mother and brother to HIV. I’ve lost my sister and her unborn child to a drunk driving accident. Life has not been kind but here I am.
I would like to think that my focus and drive set me apart. I know it’s cliche of me to say but it’s the truth. Those who know me, know that im stubborn and refuse to be just ok at what I do. I’m always looking for a smarter and better way to work.
My apprenticeship ended years ago but I’ve never let myself take it easy. I continue to learn and do better. It’s like I’m still an apprentice today. I refuse to quit learning.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I owe my mentor puppet soo much. If it wasn’t for him, I would have never begun my journey in tattooing.
Jose Ramos showed me a lot about sanitation and responsible tattooing. I practice a lot of what he showed me till this day.
My piercing mentors Zoran and Oscar, who pushed me to work harder and smarter.
I also learned a lot from Ram Perez, the owner of Rampage Tattoo. Ram taught me allot through tough love and discipline. He gave me a chair in his shop, even though my work needed work.
I’ve learned very important things from other artists as well like: Vincent Diaz Negron, Bear Perez, Lucy Lenoir, and my husband Ricky Guevara.
Thank you guys!
Pricing:
- My minimum is $50
- My Hourly rate is usually around $100-$150 depending on the style
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @rubiimota
- Facebook: Rubi mota
- Snapchat: Rubiimota
