Pronouns: They/He
Location: Bronx, New York
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rob.vintage/?hl=en 

Rob Vintage is an Afro-Latinx, queer, nonbinary tattoo artist and painter based in the Bronx. Tattooing for seven years with a culmination of influences has helped Rob develop a unique approach to mixing black & grey and surrealist styles of tattooing.

Their art ranges from the mundane to introspection and sociopolitical commentary. When Rob is not tattooing and creating safe spaces for their clients, he can be found at the gym, twerking at Jar Studios, or reading comic books.

Embark on a journey with us as we delve deeper into Rob's captivating story in this exclusive interview!

Ice-Breaker: How does your queer identity influence the designs you choose to create and the stories you tell through your tattoos? Could you share an example of a significant piece to you or your clients?

I have a lot of influences, along with recurring themes of healing and breaking free. And I think my queer identity has a lot to do with that. Being nonbinary, I find myself breaking the rules so that I may rebuild my identity and reshape my reality, sort of like an alchemist. To further illustrate that point, I feel that being queer is like alchemy in some ways because we transmute society’s negative energy around us through our resilience, which informs a critical part of my work.

Ultimately, I’m seeking to help my clients heal parts of themselves by transforming their trauma and emotional pain into the physical pain of tattooing. This helps them reconnect or rediscover parts of themselves they otherwise struggled to do on their own. A certain satisfaction comes with tattooing a portrait that allows my client to see a lost loved one smiling once again or design a tattoo that helps them connect with parts of their identity. A perfect example is a piece titled Anacaona, consisting of a Taino woman and Taino symbols and landmarks. This tattoo was particularly special for my client as she commented on how it helped her connect with her roots in a way she didn’t know was possible. 

Navigating the professional world as a queer individual comes with its own set of challenges and triumphs. Can you talk about a significant obstacle you've overcome in your career and how it shaped your approach to your art and business?

I would say that a significant obstacle I’ve overcome in my career was learning to find my voice and confidence in myself. I have had to deal with workplace hostility in the past with others who wanted to see me shrink myself for their comfort. I found myself consistently butting heads with those individuals, and it was taking a toll on my mental health. I later learned that my progression as an artist made them uncomfortable because I was outpacing them. However, I lacked the self-confidence to realize my worth at the time and leave sooner entirely. But adversity has a way of building character. I needed to have experienced those abrasive times to develop myself. Those circumstances forced me to start valuing myself more and learning to speak up for myself.

Now, I don’t put myself in spaces where I have to play small for someone’s comfort. I’m blessed with the opportunity to be in a studio where I’m valued and appreciated, and I couldn’t be happier. It’s shaped my approach toward my art as I’ve been becoming more unapologetic about the art I make as long as I pour my all into it. Business-wise, it’s helped me be a more authentic person with whom others can connect. I can reassure my clients that my main goal is to bring their vision to life, and I do it in a way that feels natural to me. I don’t have to play a role; I just come as I am, and my clients appreciate that. I care about my clients and the art that I make, and when they see that, they feel confident in trusting me throughout the creative process. 

In what ways do you think being a queer tattoo artist has impacted your relationship with your clients and the broader community? Have you noticed a change in the types of requests or the conversations you have?

It’s brought me closer to my clients. I don’t think I’ve noticed a change in the types of requests I get, but since coming out, I have noticed clients feeling more open to sharing their own life experiences with me and feeling safer with me. Finding out that I’m queer and being able to have shared experiences, as well as being transparent about my motivations, has helped me connect better with others. Leaning on my experiences to connect with people has helped me see things through their eyes so I can have a new understanding and perspective on the project we’re working on together. In my mind, it’s a net positive for the broader community to have one more person, creating a safe space for others to enjoy. And every time we have folks willing to do that, we reinforce the strength of our community and make it easier for others to come out. I want to pay that forward to the community that embraced me as part of their own even long before I knew I was queer.   

How do you leverage social media and digital platforms to connect with your audience and showcase your work? Are there specific approaches you recommend for queer artists looking to expand their visibility and client base online?

 I try to organize my social media visually, and while it’s not perfect, it’s helped me curate an aesthetic that speaks of who I am as a creative. I try not to get too caught up in having the cleanest-looking profile for fear of looking too catered and superficial. I like that people can see my page and understand who I am. As I’m still growing on social media, I’m learning new ways to make that connection across the screen and get my personality across. As for specific approaches, I would say not to be afraid to be you. There are billions of people in the world, but only one of you exists. Being yourself is the most original thing you can do to stand out. No one can replicate the magic that you bring just being yourself.

Looking towards the future, what aspirations do you have for your career and your role within the queer community? Are there any projects or collaborations you dream of undertaking that fuse your passion for tattoo art with activism?

I hope to one day look back and see how much of a positive impact I’ve been able to make in other’s lives and within the queer community. I hope that my career reflects that in the years to come. I also would like to see myself reach a point in my career where I teach art to others and be further recognized for my work. As for projects, I’m speaking it into existence, but I want to be in a position where my art is in galleries, and I can reveal works that serve as a social commentary on the world. Or stir things up and make emotional pieces that make people have to digest and absorb the art that I produce. 

Work-life balance tip of the week ✏️

Adopt effective time management techniques to maximize productivity and minimize stress. This may include prioritizing tasks, using tools such as time-blocking or the Pomodoro Technique, and setting realistic deadlines to avoid feeling overwhelmed by their workload.

Article of the week

Building Resilience in Business: Overcoming Challenges as a Queer Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with highs and lows, especially for queer entrepreneurs who face unique challenges. However, resilience is key to overcoming obstacles and emerging stronger. This article explores strategies for building resilience in the face of adversity.

Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity: Often, we don’t recognize “failure” as a valuable learning experience, which allows us to refine strategies and skills and pivot when necessary. Reframing failure as a natural part of the journey can cultivate resiliency.

Seek Support from Mentors and Peers: Building a support network of mentors and peers is crucial for navigating entrepreneurship. Mentors offer guidance while connecting with fellow queer entrepreneurs, providing camaraderie and solidarity.

Stay True to Your Authentic Self: Staying authentic is a radical act of resilience. Embracing identities and values allows you to attract like-minded customers and build stronger connections.

Practice Self-Care: Prioritizing self-care is essential for maintaining resilience. Engage in practices that nourish physical, mental, and emotional health to replenish energy.

Stay Focused on Your Why: Reconnect with your passion, vision, and values to help you persevere through challenges. Remembering your "why" is a powerful anchor in times of uncertainty.

Conclusion: Building resilience requires courage and self-awareness. We can do this by embracing failure, seeking support, staying true to ourselves, practicing self-care, and focusing on our why. In doing so, we can thrive in business and contribute to a more inclusive world.

Empowering quote of the week 💪🏾

Resource of the week

StartOut is dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs to succeed in their ventures. Their website serves as a comprehensive resource hub offering mentorship, networking opportunities, and educational resources tailored to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ business owners. With a focus on fostering inclusivity and supporting diversity in entrepreneurship, StartOut provides valuable tools and support to help LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs thrive in their industries.

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