The Shire Tattoo Studio Samuel Hyndman

RUBEN HERNANDEZ MARTINEZ

My name is Ruben, but everyone calls me “Rubio,” and I’m from Madrid, Spain. I started tattooing eight years ago. I’ve tattooed in Spain, Germany, London, California, and now D.C. My art is inspired by neo-traditional European tattoo artists, and my style is American traditional mixed with neo-traditional.

What advice would you give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo? (A tattoo virgin)

Always look at the work of other tattoo artists before you get a tattoo and see if you like their style and the quality of how they tattoo. Don’t just pick a tattoo because it’s the cheapest- find the right tattoo for you that you like from an artist that you like.

What would you say is your favorite part of the

job? To do my art and know that that piece is going to be on someone’s body for life. I also like that as a tattoo artist, I can work in any part of the world and meet people and evolve and grow as an artist.

What was it that initially sparked your interest

in tattooing? I’ve liked to draw since I was little, but what surprised me is the confidence of tattoo artists to put their art on someone’s skin without being able to go back and erase or delete something if they made a mistake.

Who and what influences you to create

your work? Old school American traditional tattoo artists really inspire me, like Cap Coleman. But of the tattoo artists living today, Samuele Briganti inspires me, without a doubt.

What is your tattoo

style? I do different types of tattoos, like pointillism and fine lines, but my preference and my strength is American traditional mixed with neo-traditional.

Who would you like to shout out and give

thanks to? I want to thank my mentor 1Jose Antonio Chicano, back in Madrid, Spain, for all the support and opportunities he’s given me and for the things he taught me over the years. I also want to thank my family and friends, especially my brother and mother. ✕

Independent Artist