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RYAN HADLEY
ARTIST OF THE MONTH
By Geoffrey Stephenson
Photos courtesy of Ryan Hadley
From the June 2008 issue of PRICK Magazine
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Every casual reader of PRICK is well aware that, in recent years, the
art of tattooing has been exposed to unheard of amounts of
respect, personal achievement, and popularity. One shining example
of this glorious tattoo renaissance is the work of portrait and realism
tattoo artists. One of the most excellent portrait artists out there
today is Ryan Hadley, who specializes in creating complex and intricate
portraits, most of which are so highly detailed that he's risen in the
ranks, all the way to the upper echelon of the field. Hadley currently
keeps himself quite busy working at two tattoo shops in two different
states—High Street Tattoo South in Columbus, Ohio and Studio 13 in
Fort Wayne, Ind. Even with his busy schedule,we were fortunate enough
to be given the time to pick the brain of this amazing artist.
How long have you been tattooing?
Well, I started about eight years ago.
What made you want to become a tattoo
artist?
I really enjoy art, and this is by far the hardest medium of
art there is. That's why I love it.
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How did you get your start? Did you do an
apprenticeship?
There was no apprenticeship; I had to screw up a lot of
people on my come up. When I started tattooing it was terrible,
so I put it down for two years. Then, seeing some of
the tattoos in the magazines, I knew I had to try this again.
I hooked up with a good tattoo studio—being around some
better artists helped me strive to be where I'm at now. I
knew that I had to do everything I could to be recognized
in my own city, and so far it's been great. I've made a lot of
connections with well-known artists and working some of
the better tattoo conventions is helping out tremendously.
How did you arrive at your current working situation?
I started up my own studio in the beginning of 2007. I got a
phone call from Giovani at High Street Tattoo in Columbus,
Ohio asking me to come and work for him at another location
of his (High Street Tattoo South). I closed my shop, sold
my house, and moved my family to Columbus.That was the
toughest thing that I ever had to do. But here I am, preparing
myself to commute back and forth between Studio 13
in Fort Wayne, Indiana and High Street South in Columbus,
Ohio.
Who have been some big influences in your
career?
I would say Robert Hernandez, Bob Tyrrell,Tom Renshaw,
Donny Manco, and Monte.They all have a big influence on
my tattooing.
Your portrait work is quite impressive.
How did you develop your style, and how
do you stay creative?
Thanks. This is another process of trial and error, but,
eventually, I found where I wanted to be with my
tattooing.There are some things I want to tweak with
some of what I do, but we are all our own worst
critics.
How do you feel about the current state of
tattooing?
I think there are a lot of things that I want to experiment
with so I will just take it as it comes to me. I
know exactly where I want to be at in my tattooing
and I'm just taking it one step at a time.
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What is your favorite thing about being a
tattoo artist?
Freedom in doing what I want to do. I like the fact
that I can decide how I want my day to go. I realize
that this is what I am, so I'm striving to be the best
I can.
What do you like to do outside of
tattooing?
I'm a very active person. I play softball in the summer
and fall. Spending time with the family and a lot
of golf. I try to go out every once in a while, just to
let loose.
Any future plans or final words?
I'm planning to have another studio again someday.
I think that being a tattoo artist is the best career
you could ever have. So kids, explore your talent—
one thing the tattoo industry isn't lacking is a bad
artist.
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For more information, go to www.ryanhadley.com.
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