Rene

Ink Couture Tattoos St. Mary's location is home to resident tattoo artist, Rene.  A tattoo veteran, Rene is perhaps best known for his colorful realistic and black and grey tattoos, but his experience and versatility shines in Japanese, neotraditional, and mixed media genres. 

How long have you been tattooing professionally?
14 years.

What inspired you into the art of tattooing?
I was always told to tattoo by family and friends after finishing HS.  That motivation combined with my graffiti background inspired me to give it a go.  I loved it and stuck with it.  I had a great mentor (Dave from More than Ink) who always kept my head up on not quitting on having art as a full-time career. 

Tell us about your preferred style of work.
I’m very open to any style.  I love to draw neotraditional and Japanese style tattoos, but my black and grey and color realism tattoos are where I stand out.
 
What inspires you as an artist?
I've always been in an art filled environment:  from graffiti, to tattoos, to watching my stepdad do murals for schools, as a child. I always pushed myself to be some who has fun with art, and who doesn’t love to recreate their own imagination?! 

Why should someone pick you for their next tattoo/to be their artist?
Time and experience.  I can go from recreating an image to free-handing most things -- just give me the chance to draw and let’s sit down have some fun while we are at it.

Anything else you'd like for prospective to know about you?
I've been doing tattoos for a long time now and I still love it.  I’m a goofy person who probably crack way too many jokes when you're in the chair, but my art is serious.  I'm all ears and my chair is always welcome to fun stories and good times. Let’s work together I’m in it for the long run. 

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