Today we’d like to introduce you to Ilena Gonzalez.
Ilena, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up, I have always remembered being so fascinated with art. I would save up a few dollars here and there to buy crayons and a college-ruled notebook to draw in just because I enjoyed it so much. It wasn’t until I turned 11 that I started taking art a lot more seriously. I would take commissions from other kids around school, draw portraits, study the fundamentals and spend all of my free time on learning how to become better at art. Once I got into my senior year of high school, I felt utterly lost career-wise. I couldn’t afford to go to art school so I decided to pursue an associate of art degree at LCCC until I figured out what I wanted to do. Shortly after I realized School just wasn’t for me, it was difficult to balance being a full-time student and working for a living. I then dropped out and worked a couple of corporate jobs and lost my time for art. after almost a year of working, I couldn’t stand being treated the way I was in those corporate jobs and how little I was being paid for that to barely get by.
I then decided I was going to figure something out. So I decided, why not try to tattoo? My dad was a tattooer for most of my life and that brought food to the table. plus I absolutely loved making art! So I started to tattoo from my home to get a little practice. I then got my first apprenticeship a few months later when I turned 19. after that, it just kind of went up from there. Tattooing opened a whole new door to becoming the full-time artist that I’ve always dreamed of. I get to make art and put it on people. That’s something I never thought I would be able to do. I have now been doing it for 4 years, and don’t think I will ever stop. It is a true blessing being my own boss and pursuing my dream.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been easy. Us artists call it “paying your dues”. Skin is the most difficult canvas I have ever had to learn.
Not only that but building your clientele, getting your name out there, working for free + balancing another job to pay your bills. It was hard. There were weeks and months when I didn’t make any money. Also, the guilt of not making progress on something you’ve been working on for months feels horrible. There were so many times when I questioned if this was the path for me and if I even deserved it. But we are our own biggest critique. I’m glad I pushed through because I feel so blessed to have the life I have now. What felt impossible was possible.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a tattoo artist! I specialize in illustrative, black, and grey tattoos. I’m mostly known for my “lady heads” and stipple shading.
What I am most proud of is that all of my tattoos (besides pet portraits) are hand-drawn and custom! Because of this, you are left with something unique, and one of a kind, despite the subject matter. That way, every tattoo I make is different from the next person’s.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
You can book with me on my website ilenagonzaleztattoo.com. and if you don’t want to get a tattoo but like my art, a simple follow on my Instagram @ilenagonzaleztattoo would mean the world to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: ilenagonzaleztattoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilenagonzaleztattoo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IlenaGonzalezTattoo
