Last month Instagram launched their #MyStory campaign in Australia; an initiative aiming to highlight the work of exceptional and talented women on the platform. 。 Australia's Iva Chavez is one such woman, whose intricately-detailed tattoos have earned her a position as a featured creative.。 Chavez's journey to tattoo artistry started with a decision made after eight years working as a graphic designer: That her love of drawing was a passion she wanted to make priority.。 Considering herself as an artist generally, Chavez says that her tattooing is what finally allowed her to express that art. But it's not just her killer tattoos that are earning her a dedicated following, Chavez's pencil portraits of hip hop icons are truly stunning.。 View this post on Instagram。 The tattoo industry is largely a male-dominated one, but Chavez says this motivates her to do her best work.。 "If anything, it makes me want to step up my game to show that females can do it just as well as males," she told 。 Mashable.。 "I've had a few people tell me, at first they thought I was a guy just from looking at my work. I don't like that."。 By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.。 Thanks for signing up!。 One meeting with a studio owner and an apprentice vacancy was all it took.。 "Lucky for me, they were looking for a new apprentice at the time. I couldn't afford to do it full time so I went to the studio every Saturday to learn while freelancing Monday to Friday as a designer. A year and a half later, I was tattooing full time," she said.
。 A photo posted by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Iva Chavez (eevz) on。 Credit: Iva Chavez/instagram。 A photo posted by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Iva Chavez (eevz) on。 Apr 20, 2013 at 7:11pm PDT。 "I grew up listening to hip hop ... and have always loved drawing portraits of hip hop icons. I love capturing detail and like challenging myself with highly detailed pieces to push myself to get better."
。 A photo posted by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Iva Chavez (eevz) on 。 Instagram has played a huge role in exposing Chavez to a global audience. "My followers have doubled in the last year and most of the tattoo inquiries I get are from people who have come across my Instagram."
。 A global reach does come with a cost, however. "I’ve had people post my actual tattoo pics claiming it were theirs," she said.
。 View this post on Instagram
。 Chavez's Top 5 Instagram accounts you need to follow RN
。 4. iliana_rose 。View this post on Instagram。
That drive to succeed hasn't made her exempt from the occasional misgendering of her work. "I've had a few people tell me, at first they thought I was a guy just from looking at my work. I don't like that."。
Still my no.1 ❤️ #15years。
Aug 26, 2016 at 5:53am PDT。
View this post on Instagram。
As for her involvement with the global #MyStory project, Chavez said she was drawn to the idea of promoting a community of female creators.。
View this post on Instagram 。
"I loved what the campaign was about. Women using Instagram to tell their stories. Following their passions and breaking barriers and stereotypes," she said.。
View this post on Instagram。
Sep 29, 2016 at 12:46am PDT 。
A photo posted by Malika Rose Love (malikarose) on。
3. janestuarttatts
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