Gavin Rodrigues

Gavin Rodrigues was born in London on the 30th of August 1969. After leaving the UK in 1977 and moving around Europe, his family finally settled down in Barcelona. Gavin lost his mother to cancer in 1981 and his father soon re-married and moved back to the UK, leaving him in Barcelona.

Never having had any formal education or artistic training but an avid comic-book fan he set up his own fanzine called “el clan” in 1984. This critically acclaimed magazine was to become a launch pad for many of his contributors’ careers, most of which would end up working for Planeta Agostini in the comics department. It was at this point Gavin met Pere Olive (Art Director of Comics Forum) and Jordi Sole (Editor Chief ) both of which encouraged him to develop his talent as an artist and graphic designer.

It wasn’t until 1992 that Gavin was able to set up his own studio in Barcelona. Lettering and translating comic-books he was finally given his own comic strip depicting behind the scenes personnel humour at Comics Forum. At some point he decided he had done everything there was to do in Barcelona and moved back to England to work for Marvel Comics UK , as a talent hunter and assistant editor to Paul Neary.

Encouraged to work in colour by Paul Mills, Gavin completed his first oil painting in September 2002 ( David Boreanaz). His second piece, Orlando Bloom as Legolas from The Lord of the Rings was showcased on the Sky shopping channel, Ideal World in 2003. Since then he has combined his time painting and pursuing his other passion…tattooing.

After a failed business venture in Littleport, Gavin moved to Scotland where he worked as a Tattoo Artist for a very (very) small town tattoo studio. Unhappy with the standards set by the studio owner and finding the quality of his work was being compromised, Gavin felt that it was time to move on.

The Ink Spot opened its doors to the public on the 1st of April 2008....(April fools). Two weeks later Gavin won 1st Prize Female Individual at the North Lakes Tattoo Show for his Underworld sleeve.

Gavin's specialities are realism and portrait tattoos and works by appointment only.