Tattoo Artist Rudi Rautenbach

Specializing in New School colour, we bring you Rudi Rautenbach out of Inkaholic Tattoos in this week’s Tattoo Artist feature. Get to know him and see his work here…

Name: Rudi Rautenbach

Age: 32

Shop: Inkaholic Tattoos

Years Tattooing: 11 Years

Tattoo Style: Basically any style but favourite is New School colour

Hourly Rate: R950

What does the tattoo industry mean to you?
It means a lot, especially now days that its became more of an arty trend and that I love how it progresses in each style of tattooing. I would say its my passion to keep pushing and keep growing in the industry as an artist, and meeting new artists killing it out there.

How did you get into it and become a fully fledged artist?
Well it started with friends that are artists and I started getting some tattoos done by them, then when the bug bit me I went for it and never looked back. I worked for a few shops and started tattooing full time, I knew this is what I wanted in life and I’ve worked my way up. I started my own studio 10 years ago and I’ve kept growing into it.

What have been some of the highlights of your career?
Meeting clients that became friends and that support me in the industry.

The industry, style and tattoos themselves have evolved immensely over the years, how do you see them evolving in the future?
Well with all this high tech equipment the future of tattooing looks great. Better inks, machines and equipment.

How do you make sure you’re ahead of the game and keep evolving as an artist?
I would say with the new styles of work artists push out and interacting with other artists helps a lot with styles and way of doing something different. Social networking also helps to see the different styles and techniques of other artists.

What style of tattoos do you enjoy doing the most?
I’m a new school artist. I enjoy doing full colour tattoos, almost cartoon style. I’ll take a neo traditional style and change it up to a full colour piece or draw my own weird characters. I prefer colour over black and grey as you can do so much with it.

In your opinion , which is the most painful place on the body to get work done?
Hands-down feet. I don’t have but I see faces when tattooing feet. Also ribs and back.

What was the first tattoo you ever did, and how did it come out?
My first tattoo I did was on my mom. A small swallow on her ankle and still till today it looks good.

If you could guest work at any shop, which would it be and why?
It’s hard to say as there are so many. I would go where I know I’m going to have fun in a shop and have fun working with fellow artists. I’ll say Golden Tiki and with Ryan Bolton, he’s got a style that’s also new school .

Which local and international artist do you take inspiration from ?
Local I’m not too sure, but international artistS I would say Jesse Smith, Tony Ciavarro, David Tevenal, Jime Litwalk and more…

When not tattooing, what do you like to get up to?
I can’t sit and do nothing, I’m always busy doing something, either working on designs, or going bass fishing or free riding with my MX bike. I always have something to do.

For anyone wanting to book an appointment with you what is the next step?
Inkaholic Tattoos
Contact: 0760362095 or info.inkaholic@gmail.com
Address: Limonite Avenue, Wilropark, Johannesburg
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