About Riley
From a young age, my primary interests were skateboarding and drawing. I was narrowly focused on all things skateboarding, and further captivated by cartoons and comics like Tom and Jerry, Dragon Ball Z, Cowboy Bebop, and Calvin and Hobbes. I spent much of my childhood hanging at the skate park, or going to the local shop to look at the boards on the wall and fantasize about the ones I wanted to buy. When I wasn’t skating, I was indulging in my favorite shows and comics, often creating new characters inspired by the ones I loved. While drawing was a hobby in my teenage years, it wasn’t until high school that my passion for art truly ignited. Around the same time, I developed a deep love for hiking and backpacking in the Southern Appalachian region of Asheville, North Carolina.
Coming from a family that wasn’t particularly outdoorsy, I sought out these experiences on my own, and backpacking overtook skateboarding as my primary outlet for exploration and freedom. Later, I found climbing to be an extension of this, and these outdoor pursuits shaped my perspective, fostering curiosity, meaningful connections, and a profound appreciation for the beauty and design of nature. These experiences continue to inspire my work today.
My connection to nature and obsession with the world of skateboarding has profoundly influenced my direction as an artist and I believe my work lives at the intersection of both passions. While I’m constantly trying to learn new things and grow as an artist, I love to focus on natural subjects like birds, insects, and flowers - with a bold style reminiscent of the illustrative designs that were common among my favorite skateboard graphics.
While painting and illustration are close to my heart, tattooing is a particularly special medium, blending artistic skill with technical application and the unique interpersonal dynamic between client and artist.
I am deeply honored to be part of a long tradition of tattoo artists and grateful for the opportunity to practice this craft. In a time when new tools and techniques are pushing the limits of what’s possible in tattooing, I’m excited to contribute to the ever-evolving art form. I am thankful for everyone who has supported me and trusted me to be part of their tattoo journey thus far, and I look forward to working with you in the future!
Sincerely,
Riley