Ever wonder how much money the first woman to win Ink Master actually makes? Ryan Ashley Malarkey didn’t just break barriers in the tattoo world. She built a multi-million dollar empire doing what she loves.
Most people know her as the fierce competitor who dominated Season 8 of Ink Master. But there’s way more to her story. Ryan Ashley net worth sits around $2 million today. And that number keeps growing.
She turned her passion for art into serious cash. From fashion designer to tattoo shop owner to TV personality. Her journey shows exactly how talent plus business smarts equals major success.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Ashley Malarkey grew up in Northeast Pennsylvania. She wasn’t always planning to become a tattoo artist. Actually, her first love was fashion design.
Her artistic journey began way before she picked up a tattoo gun. She studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. That’s where she learned about intricate beadwork and lace details. Skills that would later make her tattoos famous.
After college, Ryan worked as a fashion designer in New York City. She created beautiful clothes with detailed patterns. But something was missing. The fashion world felt too corporate for her creative spirit.
Tattoo Career Beginnings
So how does a fashion designer become a tattoo artist? Ryan made the switch around 2008. She started as an apprentice, learning the basics of tattooing.
Her fashion background gave her a huge advantage. She already understood design, composition, and intricate details. These skills translated perfectly to skin art.
Ryan opened her first tattoo shop pretty quickly. She called it The Strange & Unusual Oddities Parlor in Kingston, Pennsylvania. The name fits her personality perfectly. She’s always been drawn to unique, gothic-inspired art.
Her early tattoo style was different from everyone else’s. While other artists focused on bright colors or traditional designs, Ryan specialized in black-and-gray work. She added beadwork patterns and Victorian lace details to her tattoos. Nobody else was doing this kind of work.
Rise to Fame: Ink Master Season 8
Everything changed in 2016. That’s when Ryan competed on Ink Master Season 8. The show was already popular, but it had a problem. No woman had ever won the competition.
Ryan entered the show with confidence. She knew her unique style would stand out. And boy, did it ever. Week after week, she impressed the judges with her intricate black-and-gray designs.
The competition was tough. Kelly Doty, Gia Rose, and Nikki Simpson were all skilled artists. But Ryan’s fashion design background gave her an edge. She understood composition and flow better than most tattoo artists.
When Ryan won Ink Master Season 8, she made history. She became the first female winner ever. The victory came with a $100,000 prize and instant fame. More importantly, it opened doors to bigger opportunities.
Revenue Sources Contributing to Ryan Ashley Net Worth
Ryan Ashley’s $2 million net worth comes from several income streams. She’s smart about diversifying her money sources.
Tattoo Artistry and Commissions Her main income still comes from tattooing. Ryan charges premium prices for her work. Celebrity clients like Maria Brink and Ash Costello pay top dollar for her designs. Custom tattoos from Ryan can cost thousands of dollars.
Studio Ownership Ryan co-owns multiple tattoo studios. The Strange & Unusual Oddities Parlor in Kingston, Pennsylvania is her home base. She also has ownership in Elysium Studios in Grand Junction, Colorado. Owning studios means she gets a cut of every tattoo done there, not just her own work.
TV Appearances After winning Ink Master, Ryan became a regular on TV. She’s hosted and judged several Ink Master spin-off shows. These include Ink Master: Angels and Ink Master: Grudge Match. TV work pays well and keeps her in the public eye.
Prize money from competitions adds up too. Besides her $100,000 Ink Master prize, Ryan has won awards at tattoo conventions across the country.
Tattoo Style and Artistic Influence
What makes Ryan Ashley’s tattoos so special? Her signature style combines her fashion background with tattoo artistry.
She’s known for black-and-gray designs with incredible detail. Think Victorian filigree, delicate beadwork patterns, and lace motifs. Her tattoos look like they belong on a wedding dress or vintage jewelry.
This style comes directly from her fashion design training. At FIT, she learned how to create intricate beadwork and lace patterns. She simply transferred these skills to skin instead of fabric.
Ryan’s tattoos often feature bridal and Victorian themes. Mandala patterns, ornate jewelry designs, and delicate lacework are her specialties. Each piece takes hours to complete because of the fine detail work.
Her artistic influence reaches beyond just her own work. Many tattoo artists now copy her black-and-gray style. She basically created a whole new category in tattoo art.
Business Ventures and Entrepreneurial Success
Ryan isn’t just a great artist. She’s also a smart businesswoman. Her studios are more than just places to get tattoos.
The Strange & Unusual Oddities Parlor reflects her personality perfectly. The shop features taxidermy displays and gothic decor. It’s like stepping into a Victorian curiosity cabinet. This unique atmosphere attracts customers from all over the country.
Ryan has expanded beyond just tattooing. She hosts educational seminars for other artists. These workshops teach her signature techniques to up-and-coming tattoo artists.
She’s also a regular guest artist at tattoo conventions. Events like the Atlantic City Tattoo Expo and Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention pay good money for her appearances. Convention appearances help her network and find new clients.
Studio renovations and expansions keep growing her business. Each improvement increases the value of her properties and attracts more customers.
Awards, Recognition, and Industry Influence
Ryan’s trophy collection is impressive. She’s won major awards at tattoo conventions across the country. The Pagoda City Tattoo Festival, Skindustry Allentown Expo, and NEPA Tattoo Arts Fest have all recognized her work.
But her biggest impact is on female tattoo artists. Before Ryan won Ink Master, the tattoo industry was mostly male-dominated. Her success opened doors for other women in the field.
Magazine features in Freshly Inked Magazine and Inked Magazine keep her name in the spotlight. Media attention helps attract new clients and keeps her rates high.
Ryan co-hosts the Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention. This gives her additional income and keeps her connected to the tattoo community. Convention hosting is another revenue stream most artists don’t have.
Her influence on tattoo education is growing too. She teaches workshops and seminars regularly. This positions her as an expert in the field, which justifies her premium pricing.
Current Life and Net Worth Summary
Today, Ryan Ashley net worth sits around $2 million. That’s pretty impressive for someone who’s been tattooing for less than 20 years.
She’s married to Arlo DiCristina, who’s also her business partner. Having a partner who understands the business helps her focus on the creative side. They live in Back Mountain, Pennsylvania, close to her main studio.
Ryan’s lifestyle reflects her success. She can afford to be selective about her clients and projects. This means she only takes on work that interests her creatively.
Her future looks bright. The tattoo industry keeps growing, and her unique style stays popular. TV opportunities continue to come her way. And her studios keep expanding.
Ryan proves that breaking barriers pays off. She didn’t just become the first female Ink Master winner. She built a business empire around her victory.
Conclusion
Ryan Ashley Malarkey turned her artistic talents into a $2 million empire. Her journey from fashion designer to tattoo mogul shows what’s possible with skill and business smarts.
Her success comes from multiple income streams: premium tattoo work, studio ownership, TV appearances, and convention hosting. She didn’t rely on just one source of income.
But Ryan’s biggest achievement isn’t her net worth. It’s proving that women can dominate in the tattoo industry. She opened doors for the next generation of female tattoo artists.
