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R y a n S m i t h

@ryansflashstash

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Apprentice Tattooer @artistic_obsession_
Booking for November/December
💌 DM or Email to book 💌
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‼️BIG NEWS - READ BELOW‼️

I’m beyond excited to announce that as of yesterday, I am OFFICIALLY starting my apprenticeship at Artistic Obsession in Mechanicsville!

If you haven’t seen or heard from me much in the past few months, it’s because I’ve been at the shop learning the ins and outs of how things run and soaking up as much as I can about tattooing in general while in between tasks.

But yesterday was huge. Yesterday, my apprentice license was approved by the state, AND I had the pleasure of building my first coil machine with my mentor. I will eventually use that same machine to tattoo. It was and still is a very surreal feeling.

I want to extend a MASSIVE thank you to Jonathan, my mentor and sponsor, for this incredible opportunity and for taking a chance on me. Also, a big thank you to everyone at the shop for making me feel like part of the crew, I’m happy to be able to call you all friends as well as coworkers. And to my partner in life, Sydney, and everyone who’s supported me up until now.. you’ve given me the confidence to pursue this dream of mine and it means the world to me. I will never forget that.

All that being said.. I’m very much looking forward to the next chapter of this journey and I would love it if it you followed along!
-Ryan ❤️ taken in Mechanicsville, Virginia by @ryansflashstash

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a year ago

A memorial piece for my tattoo brother @marcusgoode_

I was lucky enough to get to know Dillon before he passed, and I very much miss having him around the shop cracking me tf up and keeping all my clients entertained while I tattooed them. It just isn’t the same without him. Really means a lot that you had me do this for you man 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼❤️

P.S. the last slide is a healed horseshoe I got to do on Marcus a while back, but we still want to add some red so I haven’t posted it yet lol taken in Artistic Obsession by @ryansflashstash

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4 days ago

My take on the Rod of Asclepius for Paul. This was Paul’s first tattoo. Thank you for your trust, Paul!

#snaketattoo #apprenticetattoo #imaslitherysnakeysnake #traditionaltattoo #stippletattoo taken in Artistic Obsession by @ryansflashstash

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5 days ago

A butterfly for Ellie. Made in honor and memory of the great Dolly Parton, so the stakes were quite high. Thank you so much for your trust ❤️🦋

#traditionaltattoo #apprenticetattoo #dollytattoo #RIPdolly #butterflytattoo taken in Artistic Obsession by @ryansflashstash

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6 days ago

Greylag Goose head for one of my best friends who is moving onto bigger and better things in SF. Very stoked for your new gig, and happy you’ve gotten some of the recognition you deserve. Look forward to coming to visit!

#traditionaltattoo #goosetattoo #sillygoose #tattooapprentice #richmondtattoo taken in Artistic Obsession by @ryansflashstash

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7 days ago

***UPDATE: After an overwhelming response to this in just under an hour 🤯 I’ve turned off the comments and will be getting back to everyone as soon as I have the opportunity. I can’t thank everyone enough for the support ❤️

Hello everyone!

As I’m nearing the end of my apprenticeship, I’ve been instructed by my mentor to work on learning the black and gray realism style of tattooing. I’ve done a few designs on practice skin and we both feel it’s time to give the real thing a try.

So, in an effort to learn this style, I’m offering up the bee and the rose to be tattooed on 2 people each for free so I can get some real practice in. Once I finish the skull on practice skin I’ll be offering that to one person for free as well.

My ideal client for these would be someone who:

-can sit well and for a long time, as I’m not sure how long these will take me to complete (someone I’ve tattooed before would probably be best)

-has a good flat, open space on either an arm or a leg that’ll give me the best possible canvas to work with

-who’s schedule lines up with the days Ive blocked out for this purpose

If you feel like this could be you, drop a comment of what design you’re interested in, and I will DM you to see if we can get something figured out!

I appreciate any and all consideration and all the support I have received up until this point (and beyond) in the pursuit of becoming the best tattooer I can be 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼❤️ taken in Artistic Obsession by @ryansflashstash

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8 days ago

Got to do a peo-knee as my first knee tattoo ever. Stoked is an understatement.. Very grateful for your trust with this one, Maeve! 🌸

#traditionaltattoo #kneetattoo #peonytattoo #apprenticetattoo #richmondva taken in Artistic Obsession by @ryansflashstash

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12 days ago

A couple of tattoos I have had the pleasure of making for my dude Tyler. Thanks for thinking of cool shit and trusting me with it 💯

This is the start of a casino/gambling themed leg sleeve and I’m super stoked to continue working on it! (Gun below the hand not done by me)

#traditionaltattoo #casinotattoo #kingofdiamonds #apprenticetattoo #richmondtattoo taken in Artistic Obsession by @ryansflashstash

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18 days ago

Coupla lil guys picked from my most recent flash sheet 🥰

Thank you Vita and Carli for giving these guys a good home 🐟 🦋

#traditionaltattoo #fishtattoo #butterflytattoo #richmondartist #apprenticetattoo taken in Artistic Obsession by @ryansflashstash

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20 days ago

My good friend Heather saved me from a fully rescheduled Sunday with nothing to do.. Got to draw up a flower to fit this spot on the back of her arm. Thanks dude ❤️

If it isn’t already obvious.. I love drawing/tattooing these flowers (and other floral) and would be more than happy to fill whatever gaps you might have. Holler at me! 🌹

#traditionaltattoo #blackandgray #floraltattoo #mechanicsville #tattooapprentice taken in Mechanicsville, Virginia by @ryansflashstash

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25 days ago

Recently painted a sheet of designs that I didn’t get to tattoo at last months flash event. Now they are available whenever you’d like, for reasonable prices. Would be stoked to tattoo these in color or black and gray!
(Swipe to see pricing)

DM or email me over at ryansflashstash@gmail.com to set up an appointment 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

#traditionalflash #traditionaltattoo #apprenticetattoos #mechanicsville #804tattoo taken in Artistic Obsession by @ryansflashstash

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a month ago

My spin on an aquarius tattoo for Beth. Really love how this turned out. Thanks so much for your continued support ❤️

#aquariustattoo #stippletattoo #traditionaltattoo #richmondtattoo #blackandgraytattoo taken in Artistic Obsession by @ryansflashstash

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a month ago