Today we’d like to introduce you to Devon Rae
Hi Devon, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I would spend hours tracing Pokémon cards and drawing my own versions. My mom would even laminate them to turn them into “cards.” That early love for drawing led me to pursue a Bachelor’s in Illustration at ArtCenter College of Design. The program pushed me mentally and gave me a strong technical foundation, which I knew would be valuable as I transitioned into the tattoo industry. Tattooing had always intrigued me—it was a way to combine my artistic skills with something personal and permanent.
Shortly before I was set to graduate, I received a diagnosis that changed my life: brain cancer. I had to undergo my first surgery, which forced me to move back to Orange County from Pasadena, where I’d been living while attending school. It was tough being away from my friends and the campus community; I ended up pushing my graduation back. While at the time it felt like a setback, I now see it as part of my journey.
After my recovery, I began my first tattoo apprenticeship. I wasn’t able to finish it due to health reasons, and the same happened with my second apprenticeship. But by the time I started my third, I had found a shop and a group of people that really clicked with. I stayed there for years, learning and growing alongside them, and that sense of belonging made all the difference as I built my career.
In 2020, after completing my apprenticeship, I faced the challenge of trying to break into the industry in the middle of a global pandemic. COVID-19 made everything difficult, from finding work to growing my client base, but I kept pushing forward, working on my craft and building my portfolio during quarantine. Unfortunately, I had to undergo a second surgery during that time as well, which meant another pause in my career. Still, I returned to work thanks to the support and flexibility of my clients and fellow artists.
Eventually, I opened my own private studio, giving me the independence I’d been striving for. But after some time, I realized that working alone wasn’t ideal for me. I missed the collaborative atmosphere of a shop, so I returned to one, where I could be surrounded by other artists. The energy of a shared space proved to be crucial for my creativity and overall satisfaction with my work.
Now, I’m focusing on my next venture: opening Eleventh House Collective, an art studio and community space in Orange. It’s a space for artists of all kinds to come together, collaborate, and grow. After years of navigating the industry and experiencing both the highs and lows, I’ve learned how important it is to have a strong artistic community, and I’m excited to build a space that fosters that kind of environment.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey hasn’t been smooth. At the time, I felt like I was losing valuable momentum by pushing my graduation back, and having to skip out on my senior Berlin trip felt like a huge missed opportunity. But looking back, I think everything happened the way it needed to. When I finally went to Berlin the following year, I was surrounded by some amazing artists and friends, and I believe the experience ended up being more meaningful than if I’d gone the first time.
After my first surgery, I had to move back to Orange County from Pasadena, and it was tough being away from my friends and the creative environment I had gotten used to. It felt isolating at first, but over time I’ve built a strong network here. The tattoo community in OC is something I’ve come to really value, and I’ve made new friends that have enriched my personal and professional life.
Not being able to complete my first two tattoo apprenticeships was another obstacle, and I worried it would set me back in my career. But when I started my third apprenticeship, everything started to fall into place. I found a shop that felt like home and a group of people I truly enjoyed working with. I stayed there for years, and that experience gave me the skills and confidence to eventually break out on my own.
Of course, COVID-19 was a major challenge as well. Breaking into the tattoo industry during a pandemic came with its own set of difficulties, but it also taught me how to adapt and stay focused on my goals. Despite all the stops and starts—between surgeries, relocations, and the pandemic—I’ve found a way to keep moving forward. Each setback has led me to where I am now, and I’m excited about what’s next with Eleventh House Collective.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work is rooted in illustration and drawing, with a strong focus on black ink and texture. One of the consistent themes throughout my pieces is eyes—they’ve always held a lot of intrigue for me, both in terms of expression and detail. I like to incorporate American traditional-inspired motifs, using bold linework, but I put my own spin on it with more illustrative shading techniques. This blend of traditional and illustrative styles gives my work a little bit of texture while staying grounded in classic tattoo elements.
I’m especially proud of the fact that I’ve stuck with this career for as long as I have, through everything I’ve had to go through. There were times when it wasn’t easy, but I’ve always had a clear vision of where I wanted to go, and I’ve worked hard to pave that path for myself. That persistence has been a defining part of my journey, and it’s something I take a lot of pride in.
When it comes to my approach to work and life in general, I’m very goal-oriented and positive. Setting ambitious goals and then figuring out how to accomplish them is something I really thrive on. It’s that mindset that drives me, whether I’m working on a new piece or taking the next step in my career.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Apps- NYTimes puzzles and Chess.com, Fresha for booking and payments (game changer), and a lil shoutout to Google Calendar.
Books- Hades x Persephone series by Scarlett St. Clair (so entertaining and horny), Love Letters by Virginia Wolfe and Vita Sackville West (dreamy sapphic love), and whatever my book club Read ‘Em and Weep is reading (right now it’s Nick Cave’s book, Faith, Hope, and Carnage).
Podcasts- My Favorite Murder, a true crime comedy podcast. This is literally the only podcast I listen to anymore and it just feels like I’m gossiping with two friends.
Pricing:
- I price tattoos based on size and complexity.
- I charge hourly ($200) for large projects like sleeves and back pieces.
- If you have a budget or price in mind, I will always work with you.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.eleventhhousecltv.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyesaliva
