Today we’d like to introduce you to David Trudeau Jr.
Hi David, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I basically loved art at an early age. I grew up loving comics and video games. Most of my art revolved around drawing characters. I then got into graffiti art in high school and did tons of projects involving spray paint and clay sculptures. I went to Butler County Vo-Tech while in High School for Graphic Design. That’s where I was introduced to Adobe programs like Photoshop and Illustrator. They taught silk screening and printing as well. I ended up decided to pursue a career as a Graphic Designer. I enrolled in P.T.I. (Pittsburgh Technical Institute) for Graphic Design. I graduated after two years and got a job at a local sign shop. I worked as a Graphic Designer for a year. I was good at the job, just didn’t get much satisfaction out of it. I’ve always loved working with my hands. Being behind the computer didn’t give me much joy. I decided to quit and try to figure out my next step. I worked in a few restaurants while doing art on the side. In 2007 I was selected into the Emerging Artist Program and given a free booth spot at the Pittsburgh Arts Festival for a week. While there I got several requests for tattoo art. I had been getting tattoos since I was 18. I had drawn my tattoos and some for friends. I was inspired to try a new career path. I finished the week and decided to pursue a Tattoo Apprenticeship. After struggling to find a spot, I ended up getting a chance in Zelienople PA. I continued to work in restaurants while completing my Apprenticeship. In May 2008 I did my first tattoo. It was very humbling as an artist to start at the bottom again. In Tattoos you must learn the basics first and do smaller pieces, in order to build up to bigger work. It takes a few years. By 2010 I was working strictly as a Tattoo Artist. For the next 15 years I worked with several artists, each teaching me different things along the way. I valued all of the time I spent with them as well as all my clients. Over those years I got married, bought a house, had two beautiful children. Was in a much different position then I was when I first started. I needed a new step in my career as well. In early 2025 I decided to open up my own shop. Second Wind Tattoos was soon born. The name served two purposes. All my tattoos are based around the elements. Wind was a breath of fresh air. Second Wind also directly being the second half of my Tattoo Artist career. By dumb luck we found a spot right down the street from where I grew up. It was like coming home but bringing our own way to improve the neighborhood. In June 2025 Second Wind Tattoos officially opened. It was an extremely hard and chaotic 6 months but worth every minute.
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?
I think if it wasn’t a struggle then it wouldn’t be worth doing. I worked as an opening baker to put myself through college. Waking up at 4am to get a shift in before school started in the afternoon. I’d then come home and deliver pizzas at night. It was a hard two years. I only missed 1 day in those two years. Funny enough it was for a Tattoo. After college I struggled to find a job for nearly 6 months. Going on interview after interview, only to get turned away. I know now it was all for the best. At the time it was exhausting. Working in my degree and not liking the work. Deciding to quit and go back to restaurants. It was very humbling after going to college and thinking I was done with that. Getting turned away from several Tattoo Shops in the beginning. Difficult clients and no shows on Tattoos. Not to mention all the hardships in normal life. It gives to gratitude though that all my hard work has been worth it. I definitely appreciate it and don’t take it for granted
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I love illustrative work. I like working in color or black and grey. Traditional Japanese, Photo Realism, and Neo Traditional some of my favorite types of tattooing. I’m most proud of all the artists I’ve worked with over the years. Seeing young talent grow is very rewarding. I’ve learned more from them then they have from me in most cases. I’ve been told I’m very gentle in my tattooing. I try to be a calm presence in the anxiousness of getting a tattoo. Gaining lifetime friends through the art is probably my favorite part of the job. At the end of the day tattooing is tattooing. The stories and people you meet along the way is what makes the job worth doing. It’s the human element that usually doesn’t exist when doing most art. It’s a very personal relationship with the client. Memorial tattoos are probably the hardest. I’ve cried several times while doing this job. Being able to give someone a tattoo to help with the pain will always feel amazing, even if it’s so hard in the moment. Being a father to two young girls, I’ve seen pretty much every animated movie over the past 11 years. One quote that has always stuck with me is from Soul. “I heard this story about a fish. He swims up to this older fish and says, ‘I’m trying to find this thing they call the ocean.” The ocean?’ says the older fish. ‘That’s what you’re in right now. ”This?’ says the young fish. ‘This is water. What I want is the ocean.'” To me this helps to keep me grounded. In this day and age, I think it’s way too easy to want too much. Social Media aways seem to show someone “happier”. I look at my beautiful family and amazing crew and realize, I’ve made it. What else could I ask for besides health. I’m doing a career using my hands for art. I meet interesting people all the time. I wish every person can find their own little space in this world that gives them a sense of purpose.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I only see Tattoos becoming bigger. Way more accepted than they were when I first started getting them 25years ago. The field has been growing more and more with talented artists. A.I. is probably the biggest thing right now. Fortunately, it won’t be doing the tattoos. I just see so many fake tattoos that some people assume is real. Keeping people’s expectations in check when they bring in something that is A.I. As artists we really just need a basic idea to run with. It’s usually too much information, or just saying I want something cool. If we have a starting point and know what style you’re going for, we’ll take care of the art. There aren’t many fields with hands on drawing anymore. I’m lucky to be in one
Pricing:
- Pricing is usually based on the piece or an hourly rate
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.secondwindtattoos.com
- Instagram: Second_Wind_Tattoos
- Facebook: Second Wind Tattoos and Piercings
