Ryan Ashley facts for kids

Ryan Ashley DiCristina (born April 29, 1987), known as Ryan Ashley, is a famous American tattoo artist. She is well-known for being on TV shows like Ink Master and its spin-offs. Ryan Ashley's unique tattoo style comes from her background in fashion design. She creates beautiful black-and-gray designs that look like beadwork, delicate lace, and fancy jewels.

In 2016, Ryan Ashley won Ink Master's eighth season. She was the first woman to win the competition. After that, she became a host for a spin-off show called Angels. She also judged another spin-off, Grudge Match, and later became a judge on the main Ink Master series. Ryan Ashley also owns a tattoo shop in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Ryan Ashley's Early Life and Career

Ryan Ashley grew up in Dallas, a small town in northeast Pennsylvania. Her mother, who was also an artist, taught her how to draw. Ryan Ashley graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2007. For five years, she worked as a fashion designer in New York City. She designed special details like beadwork, lace, and embroidery for clothes. These detailed designs later inspired her intricate tattoo style.

Becoming a Tattoo Artist

Ryan Ashley wanted a job that was not a typical office job. So, she moved back to Pennsylvania to learn how to be a tattoo artist. She learned a lot by working in a "street shop," which is a tattoo parlor that takes walk-in customers. This experience made her decide to only work by appointment.

In 2013, Ryan Ashley and her partner at the time, Josh Balz, opened a shop in Kingston, Pennsylvania. It was called The Strange and Unusual Oddities Parlor. Ryan Ashley did tattoos in the back of the shop. The front part sold their collection of taxidermy, unique objects, and old restored antiques. Collecting antiques had been a hobby for her since she was young. She used to go to yard sales with her mother and grandmother. Later, they opened a second shop in Philadelphia with other business partners.

Ryan Ashley's Tattoo Style

Ryan Ashley's special tattoo designs are mostly black-and-gray. They often feature beadwork, lace details, and ornamental jewels. When she designs swirly patterns, she looks at old Victorian furniture for ideas. For her beading designs, she gets inspiration from bridal accessories and chandeliers. She also uses old, illustrated wildlife books to help her design animals and birds. Some of her clients include rock musicians like Maria Brink and Ash Costello.

Ryan Ashley on Ink Master

In late 2016, Ryan Ashley appeared on Ink Master. This is a reality competition TV show where tattoo artists compete in art challenges. They try to be the best to win the season's title and a cash prize. Ryan Ashley won the eighth season, making her the first woman to ever win the title.

Her win was a big moment for female tattoo artists. This job has often been seen as a male-dominated field. On the show, the women formed a team to help each other. The show's producer said it was the first time such a team stayed together for the whole season. Ryan Ashley won the title even though she had only been tattooing for five years. She joined the show to learn new tattoo skills and challenge herself. She had been asked to join earlier seasons but could not because of her schedule.

Ink Master Spin-offs and Judging

Ryan Ashley was also featured in two seasons of Ink Master: Angels. This spin-off show had Ryan Ashley and other competitors from Ink Master season eight travel across the United States. They competed against local tattoo artists. The winners of these challenges earned a spot in the next season of Ink Master. The show aired on Paramount Network in 2017 and 2018. Angels was first planned as a one-hour special but became a full spin-off series.

Later, Ryan Ashley became a judge on another spin-off, Ink Master: Grudge Match in 2019. In 2022, she returned to the main Ink Master show as a judge for season 14. She continued judging into the 15th season in 2023.

Ryan Ashley owns Elysium Studios with her husband. It is a tattoo parlor located in a restored church in Grand Junction, Colorado. Elysium Studios hosts guest tattoo artists and resident artists. Many of these artists are connected to Ryan Ashley through Ink Master.

Ryan Ashley's Personal Life

Ryan Ashley was previously engaged to Josh Balz, who was a keyboard player in the band Motionless in White. In late 2019, she married fellow tattoo artist Arlo DiCristina. Their son, Atheus, was born in May 2020. Ryan Ashley announced her relationship with DiCristina and her pregnancy on the covers of Inked magazine.

She moved back to New York City in 2018. As of 2019, she lives and works in Grand Junction, Colorado. There, she and DiCristina own Elysium Studios. On May 30, 2024, Ryan Ashley shared on her Instagram account that she was going through a divorce.