Ryan Ashley Malarkey | Female Tattooers (2024)

Ryan Ashley Malarkey: Intricate Embellishments

Ryan Ashley Malarkey (DiCristina) made history when she became the first female tattoo artist to win Season 8 of “Ink Master.” She’s known for her intricate black and grey tattoos and her jewelry and lace-like skin art.

Coming from a background in the fashion industry, Malarkey uses the artistic skills she learned from working with beading and lace and translates those inspiring and ornamental designs into the medium of tattooing.

Following her big win on Ink Master, Malarkey went on to co-host “Ink Master Angels” with Kelly Doty, Nikki Simpson, and Gia Rose (though Gia Rose left the show due to health complications). She moved to New York following the end of Ink Master Angels and tattooed at Inkology in New York City.

Malarkey joined DJ Tambe and Clean Rock One as a judge on the new Ink Master franchise show “Ink Master Grudge Match” which debuted on Paramount Network in the fall of 2019.

Personal Life

Malarkey previously tattooed at her own private tattoo shop and oddities boutique in Kingston, Pennsylvania called The Strange and Unusual. The retail shop, which Malarkey co-owned with former fiancé and musician Josh Balz, eventually opened up a location in Philadelphia.

In November of 2019, Malarkey posted a cover of Inked Magazine that announced fellow tattoo artist Arlo DiCristina as her boyfriend.

In the summer of 2019, Malarkey revealed on her Instagram account that she was leaving New York. She moved to Grand Junction, Colorado with DiCristina, who works out of Elysium Studios. Malarkey joined the Elysium Studios team and is tattooing clients at the Colorado studio.

In her Instagram post regarding the move, Malarkey wrote: “The past year in Brooklyn has been bitter-sweet for me, but ultimately I am closing this chapter knowing that I have learned much about myself, the woman I want to be, and what I actually want out of life.”

Is Ryan Ashley Married?

Ryan Ashley is married to Arlo DiCristina. The couple married in a private ceremony in Colorado in the fall of 2019, according to an announcement posted on her Instagram account. Malarkey said that DiCristina proposed with a “solid marble ring that he hand carved from a block of marble from the earth where he proposed.”

Instead of having a long engagement, the couple decided to get married—discreetly, just the two of them. She changed her name to Ryan Ashley DiCristina.

In February of 2020, Ryan Ashley announced that she was pregnant for the first time by revealing a pregnancy cover of Inked Magazine, shot by portrait photographer Peter Roessler. She welcomed her son, Atheus Omni DiCristina, on May 16, 2020.

Ryan Ashley Malarkey’s Tattoo Styles

  • Black and Grey
  • Realism
  • Illustrative
  • Specializes in jewel tattoos
  • Specializes in ornamental tattoos

“I think every female has a different experience in the industry. Every shop is different, every artist is different. I know a lot of female tattooers that have had an amazing ride and everyone has treated them with respect, and it’s been great. And I know a lot of female tattooers that have had negative experiences, that have been treated badly for one reason or another.”

– Ryan Ashley Malarkey, Paramount Network

First Female Winner on Ink Master

Malarkey created a movement on Season 8 of Ink Master when she became the first female winner. Her winning Ink Master tattoo was a 24-hour chestpiece that she revealed live on stage during the show’s finale.

The design of her winning tattoo was a 90’s New School, hot-rod inspired piece that she did in full color—a style that is completely outside of Malarkey’s wheelhouse. The style was chosen by fellow Ink Master finalist Kelly Doty.

See the clip of Malarkey’s winning tattoo reveal:

Host of Ink Master Angels

Following her win on Ink Master, Malarkey joined fellow female tattoo artists Kelly Doty, Nikki Simpson, and Gia Rose in a spin-off called “Ink Master Angels.

The premise of the show was to find tattoo artists to compete against the Angels from all over the country. Each episode finale tattoo had a deeper meaning and the show brought attention to important subjects such as suicide and mental health, addiction, and immigration.

There were two full seasons of the show, and Malarkey tattooed against other artists including Tone Chingon, Daniel Silva, Tony Scientific, Jimmy Butcher, Mike Wallace, and Austin Rose.

Both Danel Silva and Austin Rose beat out Malarkey in their face-off tattoos to earn a spot on Ink Master.

See Malarkey face off against Daniel Silva on Ink Master Angels:

Judge on Ink Master Grudge Match

In the summer of 2019, Paramount Network announced that Malarkey would be returning to the Ink Master franchise as the judge for a brand new show titled Ink Master Grudge Match.

Malarkey joined former Ink Master contestants Cleen Rock One and DJ Tambe as the panel of all new judges. The show pits former Ink Master rivals against each other in all new tattoo competitions.

The series debuted on Paramount Network on October 1, 2019.

Ryan Ashley Tattoo Prices

Ryan Ashley is one of the most popular female tattoo artists in the world, with over one million fans on Instagram and a huge following. Her rates for tattoos likely reflect her popularity. However, at this time, FemaleTattooers.com does not have any specific information about Ryan Ashley’s tattoo prices.

Please keep in mind that tattoo prices are set at the discretion of the artist and can vary widely depending on the type and style of tattoo you choose.

How to Book a Tattoo with Ryan Ashley

To check availability and whether or not Malarkey’s books are open for tattoos, it’s important to follow her on Instagram. Email APPOINTMENTS@RYANASHLEY.COM.

As of July 2019, Malarkey’s books were open to new clients interested in full-day or half-day sessions. She is tattooing at Elysium Studios in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Tattoos by Ryan Ashley Malarkey

  • Ryan Ashley Malarkey | Female Tattooers (1)
  • Ryan Ashley Malarkey | Female Tattooers (2)
  • Ryan Ashley Malarkey | Female Tattooers (3)
  • Ryan Ashley Malarkey | Female Tattooers (4)

Editor’s note: All images are the property of Ryan Ashley Malarkey and are from her Instagram account. FemaleTattooers.com does not claim any ownership to the above images.

Ryan Ashley Malarkey | Female Tattooers (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 5673

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.