Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Spilman.
Hi Ryan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I had a buddy that got into tattooont and naturally I started getting tattooed by him. My brother and I would book same day appts and my brother always told Jordan if he wanted an apprentice Ryan is a good artist. Never took it seriously and always laughed it off.
Back tracking a little; I was always above average in school in art. When I was in 3rd grade I was put into an advanced art program. Did that from 3rd to 6 grade then I was wondering why I was doing more school work and staying after school instead of going and playing backyard football or baseball with the other kids. Parents asked if I wanted to keep doing that and of course I just wanted to be a kid.
Jumping forward, my art slowed way down after I graduated then I picked it back up when I was 22. after about 4 years of posting my work on social media Jordan took my brother Nathan’s comments serious, seen my work and asked if I was to apprentice. Quick my concrete job that day and never looked back. Being from a small town these opportunities don’t come to often. We are usually factory workers, farmers or construction so it was a very unfamiliar territory. Took it head on and knew it was my calling. It felt to right. Almost 11 years later I brought my work back to my small town and now own a shop with my gf( future wife) Nikole in Holden. Been here a year with hopes to keep growing!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly ya. This industry has came natural to me and entrepreneurship has fit like a glove. This job is a loop hole in life
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do 99% black and grey realism.
Portrait, landscape and outdoor/nature styles.
I grew up drawing with graphite so that’s what I knew.
Also really enjoy American trad. That’s the foundation and bones of tattooing
I’m most proud of that I can support my family doing art! And opening the eyes up to small town strong minded folk that tattoos don’t change what type of person you are and who they knew you as
I think what sets me apart is moving with the ever changing times and not afraid of trying new things. While trying to keep my work unique and clean. It’s easy to copy art these days with technology
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
For MadWest? We plan on showing the country and the world what we do and put our name out there but not get a big head or get in over our waders. Hitting convention and events and hearing our names called during contests
Pricing:
- Good work isn’t cheap and cheap work isn’t good.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: 13mag_32
- Facebook: MadWest
