Today we’d like to introduce you to Terry Ribera
Hi Terry, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started tattooing 24 years ago. After moving to San Diego I was working as an illustrator for a small record label and freelancing to a few other regular clients. Eventually I hit a wall with that arrangement I wasn’t happy with the direction of my art. They pay was inconsistent and I was starting to go back to school. By my second year in San Diego after seeing a few tattoo shops in my neighborhood I became curious about what that type of work could be like.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, not at all. First, I had to find an apprenticeship, which anyone who has earned the right to tattoo can tell you isn’t typically easy. I must say, for me, it actually came quite quickly. I had a strong drawing and painting foundation, as it was something I had spent my whole life working on. At that time, there were far fewer tattoo artists, and even fewer with legitimate drawing ability. It came with artistic challenges. People not trusting my ability. Which was understandable. I was new after all. I was lucky to be apprenticed at TahitiFelix’s Master Tattoo established in 1949. It was a family experience. They were very old school and I learned things that a lot of young tattoo artists today will never learn. How to build a tattoo machine, how to make needles, mix pigments and so much more. Denny Besnard my mentor was very passionate about the history of tattooing and that rubbed off on me as well. Of course, that has all changed now. The market for tattooing is now considerably more saturated, with a huge and diverse talent pool. A lot of people coming in skipping over apprenticeships. Which I absolutely do not encourage. It’s a far more difficult career path than it was before.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a tattoo artist and a painter. As far as my tattoo work goes, I focus primarily on large-scale, multiple-session tattoos – sleeves, backs, sometimes whole bodies. Honestly, that’s what I’m most proud of. When I started tattooing, the goal was to just make a good tattoo. If I had the opportunity to create my own art, and not be overly art-directed, that by itself was incredible. Once I became more established and people started connecting with my work, it really started to snowball. Eventually that led me to open my own shop Remington tattoo roughly 14 years ago. Now I stay booked well over a year, which is a huge contrast from my first 5 years. It was a struggle in the beginning. Tattooing was still predominantly walk-in-based, and custom tattooing was still something I had to convince people to do. Work was incredibly inconsistent. Now, I tattoo many clients that I’ve seen for over a decade with continuous projects. I do illustrative tattoo work – I try to make tattoos that have dynamic compositions, fit the body, and have longevity in mind. To me, it’s very important to think about how a tattoo ages. As far as styles, I do Biomechanical, Art Nouveau, Neo-Traditional, illustrative, illustrative realism, Japanese, ornamental, and a lot of fantasy and surreal ideas. Essentially, I’m an illustrator on skin that keeps in mind how a tattoo ages.
As far as my painting, I show at various galleries, primarily at Modern Eden in San Francisco. I focus on oil paintings, a lot of fantasy-type imagery, and I still have a very illustrative approach. Some of my “tattoo” aesthetic spills over, but in general, I treat the two artistic outlets differently. With paintings, I can be looser or more detailed. There’s no concern for how it will age. It’s not skin, so I don’t put those limitations on my fine art.
I think what sets me apart from others is my ability to be inventive. I love bold, readable, and dynamic compositions. I love ornamental design and just having a nice flow.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Be kind and humble, maintain a strong work ethic, and be open to advice without dwelling on criticism. Look for artists who resonate with you visually and intellectually. Personally, I prefer to avoid individuals with rigid art views or those who are overly conservative, as that energy can be draining. Surround yourself with people who are enthusiastic, enjoyable, and embrace individualism. This is what excites me. My mentoring needs have evolved – while I initially sought any opportunity, I now aim to connect with inspiring individuals.
Pricing:
- I work by the hour for tattooing. It’s $250 an hour
- As far as my illustration and painting that varies. Size, type of medium and color time
- In general I work quickly and efficiently. I try to be fair about my billing and give very transparent timelines and estimates. I hate surprising people. I have done this long enough that I know how long something should take me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.remingtontattoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terryribera/profilecard/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terry.ribera
- Other: https://Www.terryriberapaint.com
