NÉSTOR ÁLVAREZ & RUBÉN AGUAYO | THE TATTOO ARTISTS. The mission: To create a lifetime story in their skin
Rubén Aguayo, 54, is a self-taught tattoo artist. He was born in Mexico, moved to the U.S. when he was 5 and now lives in the Avondale area. Aguayo specializes in black and gray tattoo realism; however, he is also an artist on paper and is experienced in several different media. “In the past, I have painted with oils, pastels, watercolors, charcoal, pencil, and pen, but my strongest medium was the airbrush.”
Néstor Álvarez, 32, is also a tattoo artist. He was born in Mexico City, came to the U.S. when he was 9 and now lives in Forest Park. Álvarez started tattooing at 18 and also specializes in black and gray realism, as well as educating the client. “I like to tell everybody the step-by-step of how it works. The more you inform them, the better it is.”
What kind of art do you create? What do you aim to showcase in your art?
Aguayo— I do have a very extensive art background, going back many years. It’s always been photorealism, starting with painting and then transitioning into doing tattoos, which is very difficult. But in my mind, the only thing that changed was the canvas and the tools.
Álvarez— Mostly, I like to focus on black and gray realism, detail work, and trying to duplicate the imagery as best as I can so people can enjoy what they have, and they also enjoy showing it to people.
What inspired you to pursue art?
Aguayo— One of my friends in grammar school— a good friend of mine who was already an advanced artist— was the one who inspired me. I followed in his footsteps and I realized that I had the talent and the skill. Now, my friend isn’t doing anything like this, but I went over him and I took matters into my own hands. Now I feel like I don’t work a day in my life.
Álvarez— My sister was drawing first, I would see her, take out a pencil, and trace her drawing. When I came to Chicago, I didn’t know the language, I didn’t know anybody, so I took a lot of time just drawing, and drawing and drawing. Tattooing randomly happened to me. One of my friends brought it up because I was drawing in high school, and that was the first time I thought about it. The more I got involved in knowing what tattoos were, the more excited I got because I could actually see it as a career, doing what I’ve always loved.
What other media do you work in?
Aguayo— I’m also a professional photographer. In the past, I have painted with oils, pastels, watercolors, charcoal, pencil, and pen—but my strongest medium was the airbrush. At this point, I guess tattooing is also my strongest because I’ve worked on it so much, but airbrush was my strongest, 30 years in the making— more like 35.
Álvarez— I was mostly doing charcoal and graphite on paper, I focused on that through my 20s, learning about different pencils and paper. But now that my tattoo career upgraded, it’s a little busier with more clientele and people are willing to drive a couple of hours to get tattooed, so I started focusing more on tattoos.
How has your identity as Latino artists influenced your passion?
Aguayo— With what I have built as an artist in general, not just a Latino artist, I’ve made a very strong stand in what I do and how I do it. I get feedback from not only my clientele, but from friends and family. They see us as artists in many different ways, so that feeds you to keep doing what you’re doing and become better at it. There’s no stopping. You think you reached the point of ‘You mastered it!’ but there’s no such thing, you keep going.
Álvarez— Influence-wise, based on my culture and my heritage, my family’s very close. We don’t do it as much anymore, but we would do ofrendas, and I was always doing something artistic with that. Also, trying to follow other Hispanic/Latino artists, what they’re doing, and how far they’ve gone. Then, using that as fuel to continue doing what I want to do, and follow in their footsteps, and just keep evolving.
“Chicago is very populated with Latino artists. I like to see that and look at people’s art everywhere. Even going to a bar where you see people doing crazy artistic drinks. It’s great because no matter where you go, you can still find a source of inspiration.” —Néstor Álvarez
What is your biggest motivation?
Aguayo— It’s the fact that I can provide for my family, but without the struggle of a typical 9-to-5 job, and of course, financially it’s excellent. I said I have not worked a day in my life because of what I do; it’s because every day is an adventure when I come here. It’s a different piece, a different artwork that I’m producing. When my client walks out of here with a permanent piece of artwork that changes their life, for me, that’s a great satisfaction.
Álvarez— I would say family, the better I do, the more I can help—to be inspiring, and also financially. Also, just to see how far I can take it, push the envelope. I think every artist would love to say that they want to achieve perfection. We never can, but we love to try.
What is it like being artists in Chicago, specifically Latino ones?
Aguayo— There are a lot of artists and a lot of talent, and you always want to climb up and be recognized as one of the top artists in the city. At this point, I feel I’ve reached that. I pushed myself to get there. It’s up to you to force yourself, keep your eye on the prize. It feels really good when you go to a tattoo convention, or anywhere in public, and someone recognizes you as a great artist. But yet, you still have to stay humble, keep one foot on the ground.
Álvarez— I agree that Chicago is very populated with Latino artists. I like to see that and look at people’s art everywhere. Even going to a bar where you see people doing crazy artistic drinks. It’s great because no matter where you go, you can still find a source of inspiration and apply it to your own background and your own profession.
How do you make your art accessible to an audience?
Aguayo—Before, it was just word of mouth, which was a slow process because there were no cell phones to record videos and put them up on the internet. Nowadays, social media has been one of our strongest tools to promote ourselves as artists. You can get that recognition not just locally, but on a worldwide level.
Álvarez— Social media is a very strong tool for artists. We can easily put our art out there, and then as people like it or share it, it reaches a lot more people— as opposed to an advertisement, or again, word of mouth. Sometimes we do shows as well to get our work out there and meet new people.
What does your art provide?
Aguayo— We are here to help people create a story for a lifetime in their skin. People have done their research; They know what they want and how they want it to look. We have the skill, we have the knowledge, and we’re the artists to produce what they’re looking for. They’re not just getting a piece of art randomly. everybody has a story at one point or another that they want to be recorded, whether it’s in the past, current, or maybe a little bit of the future.
Álvarez— A lot of clients look for something in their life to represent themselves, who they are, and what they think, now that [tattooing] is being viewed more as artistic, as a valuable artform. That’s what my art service provides. We try to give them the best quality of work, and also help to take what they’re thinking of and actually put it down on paper and then on their skin. I feel like it’s an accomplishment.
What are some challenges you face as a tattoo artist?
Aguayo— The challenge is the client’s skin. Everyone is different. It’s a different adventure every time. Besides that, the stress that you put on yourself daily when you’re performing a tattoo— your back, your eyesight, your nerves, your muscles, but also your mind. It’s not just fun and games. It’s a big responsibility, and it’s a one-shot deal, there are no shortcuts. But that’s what we chose to do, and we do it with great responsibility, passion and a lot of love.
Álvarez— Medium-wise, you always have to be alert, the skin is never the same. Also, you’re not sitting on your own with a piece of paper that doesn’t move, you have to put that in perspective. Sometimes when tattooing you think you’re just drawing without realizing that you are working with a person, so you also have to make sure they’re okay, that they’re comfortable.
What is the reputation you aim to uphold as an artist?
Aguayo— Responsible, humble, and unique— to stand out among the other talent in the city. And to be respected in what I do.
Álvarez— Professional, always making sure my work is at the best level and the client likes what I do. Also straightforward, always making sure they know what’s going on.
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