FACES. | SUZI RUE

Suzi Rue | Artist

eightonethree. | How has Tampa shaped you creatively both as a tattoo artist and as someone invested in community work?

Suzi | I’ve been in Tampa almost my whole life, and I think that’s deeply shaped me creatively. I feel very connected to the roots of Tampa, the coffee, being Cuban, the communities, the domino tables, and the history here. I’m constantly inspired by that. For one of my art shows, I actually went to the library and spent time researching Tampa’s history, and that connection really came through in the work. For example, I created a coffee painting as an ode to West Tampa, and another piece about mangoes, which also ties back to the neighborhood where I live and work.

It’s hard to separate myself from Tampa because it’s been the backdrop of my entire journey. I’ve only ever been an artist here, so in many ways, the city is everything, it's the air I breathe. 

eightonethree. | What does your current tattoo style say about you? And how has it evolved over the years?

Suzi | I’d say my style is definitely a reflection of both what I personally enjoy and what resonates with other people. I try to walk a fine line between incorporating the things I love and also staying connected to trends and what people relate to. That balance shows up in the mix of metallic, sharp, black-and-gray elements with my own groovy flair and love for 70s aesthetics.

I’m drawn to really sharp, pointy details, but I like to contrast that with softness like smooth gradients, rainbows, and bubbly flowers. It creates a tension and balance that feels very true to me. I think my art reflects the nuance of my personality; I’ve never been just one thing. I’m several things at once, and my tattoo style embodies that by blending different influences into something cohesive but layered.

eightonethree. | Who or what are some of your biggest influences inside or outside the tattoo world?

Suzi | Somebody I deeply admire is Phil Hall. He’s a mentor of mine and has been tattooing here in Tampa for as long as I can remember literally since I was born. I really look up to him as an artist, painter, and tattooer. Beyond that, I draw inspiration from so many places. The 70s era is a big influence for me, as well as vintage Playboys. The human experience itself inspires me. Stories my clients share, the experiences I’ve been through, even just how nature makes me feel. Books I read will sometimes spark vivid images in my mind that I can’t let go of, and those ideas eventually work their way into my art.

I’m surrounded by so much inspiration that at times it feels overwhelming, but I’ve learned to blend all those influences together. That mix of people, experiences, and the world around me is really where my imagery and creativity come from.

eightonethree. | You’ve owned tattoo shops in your career. What did those experiences teach you about both art and business?

Suzi | It’s definitely hard to balance being both an artist and a business owner. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you can’t pour from an empty cup. As a creative, it takes a lot of energy to make meaningful work, and running a business can easily drain that if you’re not careful.

Owning shops taught me that you can’t be everything or do everything at once. You have to find balance taking care of yourself, nurturing your creativity, and still managing the responsibilities of a business. It’s a very delicate balance, and not an easy one to maintain, but it’s been one of the most important lessons I’ve taken away from the experience.

eighteonethree. | After owning tattoo studios, you’ve shifted your focus to being an artist first. What inspired that transition, and how has it changed your perspective on your craft?

Suzi | The experiences I went through definitely changed my perspective. They gave me a new appreciation for the life I had before the simplicity of just being an artist. I craved that simplicity, but I knew I couldn’t go back; I could only move forward. Moving forward meant finding a way to blend the old with the new and create something completely different.

It also shifted how I see my craft. I used to want to do it all be successful, own a shop, and carry that image of someone who was managing everything. But now, I don’t want to do it all anymore. I just want to create. I want to take the images in my head and bring them to life, make people feel beautiful, and express myself in ways I couldn’t before when I was too busy taking care of everyone else.

That realization that you can’t pour from an empty cup was a turning point for me. It taught me to protect my creative energy and focus on what truly fulfills me."

eightonethree. | Tattooing is such a personal art form. How do you balance your unique style with a client’s vision?

Suzi | At the end of the day, what the client wants is always the most important thing. I’m fortunate to have clients who respect my professionalism and experience, and they trust me to guide them. But ultimately, it’s about what makes them happy.

I always tell my clients: I want you to look amazing. I’m not giving you a tattoo for me it’s for you. My goal is to make sure the piece looks great, will age well, and reflects what you truly want. If you trust me to guide the process, I’ll deliver what you envision in the most successful and beautiful way possible.

A big part of that comes down to gentle communication. Managing expectations, guiding clients with care, and making sure they feel heard is crucial. At the end of the day, they’re paying me for a service, but they’re also the ones who will wear that tattoo for the rest of their lives. I never lose sight of that.

Over the years, I’ve learned how to strike that balance giving clients what they want while also ensuring the final work represents my best artistry. Most of the time, people let me do my thing, and the end result is something we’re both proud of. It’s really about mutual respect, communication, and finding that harmony between vision and execution.

eightonethree. | Where do you see your art heading in the next few years? Any projects beyond tattooing you’d like to explore?

Suzi | I definitely want to do more art shows, especially group shows, and eventually curate my own. Bringing together other artists from the community, around Florida, or wherever the project takes me. I’d also love to create more murals and collaborate with the city to help Tampa stand out and receive the recognition it deserves for its art scene.

Teaching classes is something I’d like to explore as well, but most of all, I want to focus on painting and creative projects that allow me to push beyond tattooing. I’d love to incorporate my photography into that work too.

With tattooing, I spend hours on a piece but then it walks out the door I never see it again. Painting, on the other hand, allows me to keep the work, share it, and revisit it over time. That permanence is really important to me, and it’s something I want to lean into more moving forward."

eightonethree. | What advice would you give to young artists who are just finding their style in tattooing?

Suzi | My advice to artists starting out is this: whatever you’re not willing to do, someone else already is. Being an artist takes hard work, dedication, and honesty with yourself. It requires pushing forward, improving, and being part of something bigger than yourself so that you can grow into something bigger too.

You have to be willing to get uncomfortable forcing yourself to draw when you don’t feel like it, challenging yourself, and embracing the process. Many people aren’t willing to do that, but that’s what sets great artists apart.

It takes consistency, focus, and practice. You have to be willing to make ugly things before you can make beautiful things. At the end of the day, putting in that work is what makes you stand out.