"Discover Ryan's Art: Tattoos That Tell Stories"

When did you know you wanted to become a tattoo artist?
The exact moment I knew I wanted to be a tattoo artist was when I was about 12 years old. The father of one of my childhood friends had a dragon tattooed on him that started on his neck and wrapped around his body with the tail finishing at his ankle. I remember thinking that was the coolest thing I had ever seen in my life and knew at that moment that this is what I wanted to do.

How would you describe your tattooing style?
I'm not really sure what to call my style of tattooing. By definition, my style would fall under the black & grey category. But from there, I don't know what to call it. Some elements of my tattoos are inspired by more realistic aspects, while others are a bit more illustrative. Whatever the design calls for is what I try to accomplish. I am honestly just trying to do the best job I can for my clients, based on the subject matter they want.

Which artists have influenced your work the most?
I have been inspired by so many artists over the years, for a variety of reasons, beyond just the work they do. Some artists have inspired me based on how they approach the art of tattooing, how they interact with their clients, and how they strive to constantly learn more about tattooing even though they are already highly accomplished. Artists like Bob Tyrrel, Andy Engel, Victor Portugal, Tommy Le Wendtner, Mark Weatherhead, Silvano Fiato, Khan, and many others have all inspired me in some way.

What is the most meaningful tattoo you have ever done?
The most meaningful tattoo I have ever done was when I worked in Germany. I tattooed a lady who was suffering from an illness that left her paralyzed since birth. She wanted me to represent how she felt like a prisoner in her own body, and how all she wanted was to feel free from her affliction. As most tattoo artists know, we often forget what we tattoo on people because we do so many of them. However, I never forgot this tattoo because the entire experience was just so special. She was such a great person, and it meant so much to know that a piece of art I did for someone could mean so much to them.

How do you approach the emotional connection between clients and their tattoos?
I have always felt that it is best not to ask a client about the emotional meaning behind their tattoo unless they choose to share that information with me. I sometimes feel that if I ask too much, I might bring up an emotion for someone that they may not want to share with me. If a client wants to open up with me, it is their choice to do so, but I also respect their choice to keep their emotions to themselves. It does not change how I approach a new tattoo or how I design or execute that tattoo for them.

What is your process for designing a custom tattoo?
My process is pretty simple. I first have a consultation with my client, where I go over their ideas with them. Once it comes time for me to design the tattoo, I begin with the focal point of the tattoo and design based on where it will be on their body. For larger work like sleeves, I play around with where the main pieces of the tattoo will be and how they will all flow together and work with each other. Designing a tattoo is a lot like putting a puzzle together. Every element has to work with the body part it is going on and with the other elements going into the piece.

What’s your take on how the art of tattooing has evolved in recent years?

I am absolutely blown away with how many amazing artists are out there nowadays. It is nice to see the boundaries of tattooing and art being pushed with new styles, new techniques, new equipment, and new approaches. I am all for the tattoo industry evolving and being taken to new levels. It has helped me learn to adapt and to push myself to be a better artist and better tattooer. After all, as artists, we should always be doing this anyway—constantly challenging and pushing ourselves to keep getting better.

What advice would you give to someone considering their first tattoo?
The best advice I can give to someone considering their first tattoo is to do your research. Look at as many different artists and styles as possible. The great thing about social media is that every artist's portfolio is right at your fingertips. Be sure you like the style of the artist you are going to book your appointment with because that is most likely the style your tattoo is going to be done in. Also, be sure to go to an artist and studio that are professional and sanitary. There are far too many dirty or unprofessional studios out there that are dragging the tattoo industry down. So it's always best to support those artists and studios who care about the safety of their clients and the quality of work they are putting onto people.

What tools or techniques do you prefer to use, and how have your methods evolved over time?
Right now, I am really loving the Bishop Power Wands. I use both the Shader and Packer. They have really changed how I tattoo, for the better. I also love using needles from Kwadron. For me and the work I do, they are the absolute best. Kwadron also makes awesome machines—their Proton Pen is a great tool as well. When I first started tattooing, my mentor gave me two coil machines in pieces and told me if I wanted to tattoo, then I better figure out how to put my machines together. Over the years, I have gone from coils to rotaries and now to pen-style machines. I see a lot of artists arguing online about what the better types of machines to use are, and all I can say is that the only thing that matters is the quality of the tattoo. If the tattoo being done is good quality, then it should not matter what type of machine is used. Every artist is different, and we all work in our own ways. The only thing that matters is clean and solid work.

What are your goals or future projects as a tattoo artist?
My future goal is to open a new tattoo studio. I am fairly new to the city and part of Canada that I currently live in, so I am focused on advertising and promoting my brand to a new part of the country.
I have also thought about possibly putting on an art show that showcases the work of tattoo artists, outside of tattooing. It would be a nice way to help bring more artists together.