While "best" is subjective, Ryan Ashley Malarkey is widely considered a top female Ink Master artist, as she was the first woman to win the entire competition (Season 8), paving the way for other female artists, with Laura Marie later becoming the second female Ink Master winner. Ashley's historic win marked a significant moment for women in the male-dominated tattoo industry, showcasing exceptional skill across diverse styles, though other talented women like Sarah Miller and Tatu Baby also made significant impacts.
Ink Master
Ashley was the eighth season's champion, the first woman to win the title. Mic noted the occasion as a moment for female tattoo artists, who are subject to social stigmas in a male-dominated profession. Under Ashley, the women on the show formed an alliance to outlast their competitors.
Kat Von D. Katherine von Drachenberg (born March 8, 1982), known professionally as Kat Von D, is a Mexican-born American tattoo artist, television personality, entrepreneur and recording artist.
Top 40 Female Tattoo Artists Around The World
No, $50 is a bit low for a $500 tattoo; it's only 10%, while the standard tip for good work is 15-20% ($75-$100), with $100 being a strong 20% tip for a $500 piece, showing great appreciation for the artist's time and skill. While tipping is discretionary, artists consider $75-$100 the sweet spot for excellent service, so $50 is a minimal gesture, though any amount helps.
The singer told her Instagram followers that she 'grew tired of waking up to them' and was sick of 'those constant reminders every time I looked in the mirror'. Von D said it took nearly 40 hours of 17 sessions to have them 80 percent of them all 'blacked-out'.
Scott Marshall, who was winner of Season 4's competitive tattoo artist show Ink Master on Spike TV, died last Saturday at the age of 41.
Ed Hardy ($1,500 per hour)
Don Ed Hardy is not only the highest-paid tattoo artist but also the richest. His net worth is estimated to be $250 million. By the age of seventy today, Ed Hardy has retired from tattooing. Before he retired he was charging around $1,500 per one hour of tattoo session.
Taylor Swift doesn't have any tattoos, but she "might" get one in the middle of her forehead to celebrate regaining control of her song catalog last week. According to People, Scooter Braun "acquired the masters to Swift's first six albums" in 2019, leading to the creation of four Taylor's Version albums.
A $500 tattoo is typically a medium-sized piece, often around the size of your palm or a bit larger (roughly 4-6 inches), but size varies greatly with design complexity, artist experience, color, and placement; expect a detailed piece with color or shading to be smaller, while a simple linework design could be larger.
The most popular tattoos for women often center on delicate, meaningful designs like flowers (roses, lotuses, peonies), symbolizing growth and beauty; butterflies, representing transformation; and minimalist script or symbols (hearts, infinity signs) for personal statements, alongside timeless choices like mandala patterns, celestial imagery, and empowering designs like lionesses or script quotes that reflect identity and strength. Fine-line styles, subtle placement (wrists, ankles, spine, thigh), and nature-inspired themes remain highly sought after.
When the show re-launched in 2022 on Paramount+ after breaking due to COVID, Chris Nunez also did not return. No explanation for this has been given, with fan speculation ranging from he was dismissed due to his unpopular technique-over-artistry judging to he quit in protest of Peck's dismissal.
Yes, a $50 tip on a $300 tattoo is a good tip, landing around 16-17%, which is well within the standard 15-20% range for good service, but if you absolutely loved the work or it was a custom piece, tipping $60-$75 (20-25%) would be even better, showing extra appreciation for exceptional quality and effort.
Katie McGowan is a contemporary artist and the Founder of Wavism - a fluid, emotionally driven painting style rooted in movement and intuition. Her work is known for its sweeping brushstrokes, layered textures, and bold, expressive colour.
Cleen rose to fame in 2014 competing and taking second place in season 5 and again with a huge upset in season 7 of the Spike reality series Ink Master. In season 11 Cleen coached a winning team and secured a win for himself as well.
The Flint, Mich., native has never been one to keep quiet when something doesn't sit well with him. It's a trait that got him kicked off Spike TV's tattoo-competition show, “Ink Master,” in 2014, after a near fight with one of the judges.
Comedian and actor Pete Davidson spent around $200,000 on tattoo removal over several years to clear most of his extensive ink for acting roles, finding it mentally taxing and time-consuming, with plans for it to take another decade. He began the process in 2020, viewing it as necessary for his acting career, despite the painful and lengthy sessions.
A three dots tattoo often means "Mi Vida Loca" (my crazy life) symbolizing a rebellious, resilient life, especially in gang or prison culture, placed in a triangle near the eye or hand. However, it also holds spiritual meanings like the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) or stages of life (life, death, reincarnation) if in a vertical line, or past, present, future if horizontal (ellipsis).
The artist quotes a price for the tattoo based on various elements: including details in the specific design, the placement, or the size. A lot of times, time will also be a factor in this.
Sinatra also recommends tipping all tattoo artists, even if you're getting your ink done by the owner. “Clients often feel they don't need to tip the owner, but if the owner is working alongside others in the studio and their work is valued, a tip is greatly appreciated,” Sinatra says.
A $1000 tattoo can range from a large, detailed piece (around 6-10 inches or palm-sized with complex shading) to a significant portion of a larger project, like a half-sleeve or a sizable back/chest piece, often requiring multiple sessions, depending heavily on artist skill, complexity, color, and location, as rates vary greatly.