Today we’d like to introduce you to Rio Vandivier.
Rio, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It all began at the Savannah College of Art and Design. I really started becoming accustomed to seeing people from all walks of life with amazing tattoo work. All the imagery I would draw was very similar to the art they could get on their bodies. I wanted to do more than canvas painting; I wanted live canvases that could be part of the creative process. I decided to drop out of school and seek out an apprenticeship. Being a female in the tattoo world, it was hard to be taken seriously but I worked harder and got there earlier and soaked up all that I could from those around me. I wanted to do it the right way. My apprenticeship, I took two and a half years of learning. Since then, I have been learning and cultivating my skill for six years.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Anything is this world worth doing takes really hard work. I don’t just tattoo I draw my tattoos on with markers so I can freeform on the body and really make the tattoos look like an extension of who the person is that’s wearing it. It’s for life, of course. Getting to this point has taken me working seven days a week for no money in the beginning, 8 hours a day drawing, no Life no friends just focusing on the finish line. I’m hardcore I want to show everyone what I’m made of. Being a woman in a male-dominated field I have had to work ten times harder. I was also always younger than everyone else so I had to learn to respect everyone, keep it sterile and clean and how to be part of a world that didn’t like outsiders. But the harder you work and show your serious the easier it got.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The style of tattooing I have really strived for derives from classic traditional tattooing, Japanese, and ornamental. My colleges call my style “riotraditional” instead of American traditional. I like to add my flair, I like bold line work close to very fine lines. Heavy black and bold color you can see across the street! On the last few years I have begun drawing my tattoos on with markers instead of using a thermal imager which makes a stencil you put on the person getting tattooed. It gives me more time to study my client and get a vibe for their body and Make it flow. I am so proud to be part of this lineage of tattoo craftsmen who have come before me and be able to study their history and knowledge they have left for us. There’s a quote in tattooing, “As you are I was, and as I am you will be” I live by this and respect my elders as everyone who takes this responsibility of marking people for life should. This is not a job it is a lifestyle and I’m proud to live like this.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
There are so many books out there by amazing tattooers. I have a large reference library that helps my work out so much I would rather look at older tattoos and Paintings for ideas. The Bowery book is a great one, any of the Tattoo Times magazines have all the greats and amazing interviews so you can really get a grasp of what your hero’s were like. My new favorite is a book by Henk Schiffmacher one which is goes over all his tattoo collections from tribalism to Japanese. I listen to podcasts called no lies, just bullshit by Nick Swartz it features some of the best tattooer in the game. By listening and reading all that I can I am really able to do better at my job and my life to see the hardships are shared by all and the appreciation of the magic is too.
Contact Info:
- Email: rio.vandivier@yahoo.com
- Instagram: Riovandivier
