Daily Inspiration: Meet Dania Gonzalez Martínez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dania Gonzalez Martínez.

Hi Dania, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi my name is Dania , I was born in Mexico and came to the U.S when I was 4. I loved school and am naturally a social butterfly. I was drawn to art and thus my doodling began . At 16 I went around town asking for a Tattoo apprenticeship, which was met with several “ absolutely not “ . However a guidance counselor once told me “ the worst they can say is no “ , So I persisted and found a shop to take me in and officially started my apprenticeship at 18. Up until then I did my appointment booking ,cleaning ,answering the phone. I worked there for 12-13 years until I took a leap of faith and opened up my own private tattoo studio (Lluvia Ink) in Fort Collins, Co. I am beyond proud to have clients with my art out there ! I now have 13 years of experience and have learned so much on my own , while I’ll never be done learning I am happy to educate my clients on safe aftercare and safe tattooing practices. I am bilingual and welcome anyone to come get tattooed. I enjoy getting to meet new clients while reminiscing with old clients that have been there from the start. I am a jack of all trades and can do many different styles of work. My favorite is watercolor and black and grey , American traditional, stippling and really anything from a super thin line to a thick arm band. My husband and I have been married for 5 years and are still making each other laugh , my younger brother just turned 18 and we are excited to see where life takes him. My mother is the proud owner of my 4th tattoo I ever did and will not let me touch it up and apply all the skills I’ve gathered..(Sigh) … . She says she’ll keep it the way it is. It’s almost poetic if you think about it , a moment in time permanently on your skin , walking and interacting with life – just as you do. Everyday when I’m at work I am happy and thankful this has been my experience in life so far.

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?
Absolutely has not been a smooth road , I graduated high school and did not want to pursue college , any parent would be upset. I wanted a tattoo apprenticeship and boy were they 1 in a million , plus I didn’t have much to offer except my work ethic. I had never had a job before and learned pretty quick what flys and what didn’t. I had to file for Daca -( Differed Action for Childhood Arrivals ) this allowed me to work in the U.S legally and let me tell you those applications, appointments started to add up and knew I had to keep up with it if I was going to be able to keep my job, I also moved out for the first time and had my belongings stolen , having to move back into moms house. Remember that while you are starting a tattoo apprenticeship you’re not getting paid , you’re there on your time off soaking it in like a sponge. Your only pay is from working the front – which is minimum wage . So least to say I learned how to save and fend for myself. I remember getting mad at the world because everyone else didn’t have to get biometrics done every 2 years – or had to pay more for an ID, getting flagged for my social being new and not matching how old I was , ( getting a work permit allows you to get a social security card) but is often flagged due to it being new, paying taxes for things I wouldn’t be able to qualify for. However doing all this just made me educated and careful it made me thankful that at least I’d be able to follow my dream. Along the way I learned that you can’t trust everyone , people will say anything to get what they want , and once they are done with you, you’ll see exactly how they felt about you. I worked my butt off for the shop I used to work at and in the end non of it mattered. I wish I would have had the guts to open my shop earlier and provide the environment I want for my customers and myself ! We are so much stronger when we show up for ourselves and stand up for what is right. I named my shop after my late cat Rain (Lluvia) in Spanish. It’s been amazing to have her keep me going and have her as my logo , I will always remember her and even have her ashes tattooed in me. Carbon is carbon.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m known for never having a dull moment , when you come get tattooed by me , it’s me & you ! We’ll talk as much as you want to talk or as little, you make the decision on your tattoo I’m just here to guide you on the perameters of what’s gonna last and what isn’t. I have rules and expectations, your safety being #1. I am here to listen or tear someone a new one -whatever you need.
My favorite made up quote I have is “ straight lines never ruined any lives “ and I still stand by that. “ a good tattoo ain’t cheap and a cheap tattoo ain’t good “.

What were you like growing up?
I was and still am a silly goose , laughter is my favorite place. I enjoy making people laugh I love time with friends, I was an only child up until 12 years of age and then my little brother rocked my world , all of a sudden I had someone around me all the time and now I can’t imagine my life without Fernando. I learned responsibility and unconditional love , we didn’t have the fanciest of things but we never went without ! We were always well dressed and had amazing birthday party’s with friends and family.

Pricing:

• $150 an hr
• $75 minimum
• Friday the 13th – $31 flash tattoos

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.LluviaInk.com
• Instagram: @Lluvia_ink

Image Credits
Lluvia Ink LLC
Dania González Martínez