Reality TV is a weird lens. It freezes people in time. For fans of the Spike TV era, Marisa LaRen is often remembered as the "green" artist from Season 6 with the high-profile showmance. You might know her as the girl who walked into the shop with her mentor, Erik Campbell, and walked out with a boyfriend.
But honestly? That version of Marisa is over a decade old.
If you’re looking for the drama-filled contestant from 2015, you’re looking at a ghost. The real story of Marisa LaRen from Ink Master is less about "Master vs. Apprentice" and more about a brutal, self-made evolution. She didn't just survive the reality TV machine; she basically outran it to become a private studio owner, a competitive shooter, and a fitness athlete who deals with things way more intense than a "bad" tattoo on national television.
💡 You might also like: The Cardinal of the Kremlin: Why This 80s Spy Thriller Still Hits Different
Why the Ink Master Edit Didn't Tell the Whole Story
When Marisa stepped onto the set of Season 6, she only had about three years of experience. In the tattoo world, that’s basically being a toddler. The show leaned hard into her relationship with Tyler Nolan. They called it the first official "showmance" in the series history.
The judges—Dave Navarro, Oliver Peck, and Chris Núñez—were tough on her. They doubted her technical skills because of her lack of time behind the machine. But here’s the thing people forget: she outlasted veterans who had 20 years on her.
She wasn't just there for the cameras. She was there because she actually knew how to draw.
The relationship with Tyler lasted for a while after the cameras stopped rolling—about two years, according to various reports—but they eventually went their separate ways. While Tyler stayed in the headlines for some pretty controversial reasons recently (including a 2026 arrest involving domestic battery allegations), Marisa took a completely different path. She moved away from the Florida scene, spent time in Las Vegas at shops like Aged in Oak, and eventually landed in the Midwest.
The Reality of "Common Place" and the Move to Arizona
Most people still think Marisa is tattooing in Florida or Vegas. Actually, she’s been running her own show for a long time now. She founded Common Place, a private, appointment-only studio that feels more like a high-end boutique than a gritty tattoo parlor.
She spent a significant amount of time building that brand in St. Louis, Missouri. She wanted a space that was professional, rustic, and—most importantly—personal. No walk-ins. No drama. Just custom Neo-traditional work.
Where is she now?
As of 2026, Marisa has shifted her base again. If you're looking to book with her, you're likely headed to Tempe, Arizona. She’s evolved her style into something much more refined than what we saw on Spike TV. We’re talking:
- Intricate Neo-traditional animals.
- Fine art oil paintings (she actually sells these as one-off originals now).
- High-contrast illustrative pieces that hold up better than the rushed "flash" challenges from the show.
Fighting an Invisible Battle
This is the part the "Ink Master" fans rarely see. Marisa has been incredibly open about her health, and it’s a lot more complicated than just "staying fit." She’s a 1st Phorm elite athlete, but she also battles multiple autoimmune diseases and chronic health issues.
There was a period where she couldn't even sweep the floor of a tattoo shop without nearly passing out.
She spent over a year unable to keep down solid food before finally getting a diagnosis. For an artist whose livelihood depends on steady hands and long hours hunched over a client, that’s a career-ender for most. She didn't quit. Instead, she leaned into functional fitness and "functional medicine" to keep her career alive.
She’s also a board member for War Party Ranch, a non-profit that helps women from abusive or trafficked backgrounds through horsemanship. It’s a far cry from the "reality star" persona. She’s used her platform to talk about breaking cycles of abuse—something she experienced firsthand from birth until her mid-twenties.
The Competitive Edge (Beyond Tattoos)
If you follow her on social media today, you’ll see as many clips of her at the range as you will of her in the studio. She’s become a legitimate competitive shooter.
It’s interesting because "Ink Master" tried to paint her as someone who needed a "Master" to guide her. In reality, she’s someone who thrives on solo discipline. Whether it’s a bikini competition (she placed 3rd in the 2014 Colorado State Fitness Competition right before the show) or a shooting match, she’s clearly wired for high-pressure environments.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception? That she was just a "TV personality" who happened to tattoo.
Marisa started her apprenticeship in December 2010 when she was just 19. She spent an entire year just learning procedures before she ever touched a machine. She’s a "pro’s pro" who happened to get famous during a very specific, very loud era of television.
She’s also not "just" a tattooer anymore. She hosts group travel trips (Trovo Trips) for people who are afraid to solo travel. She’s essentially built a lifestyle brand around the idea of not being defined by one thing.
Wait, what about the art?
If you look at her current portfolio, the "Neo-traditional" tag almost feels too small for it. Her oil paintings of horses and western wildlife are incredibly detailed. She’s moving into a space where the skin is just one of many canvases.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you’ve been following Marisa since Season 6 and want to actually support her work or get a piece, here is how you do it in 2026:
- Skip the DMs: Like most high-level artists, she doesn't book through Instagram messages. Use the official booking form on her website (https://www.google.com/search?q=marisa-laren.com).
- Check the Travel Schedule: She’s based in Arizona now, but she still travels for guest spots and conventions. If you’re in the Midwest or Florida, keep an eye on her "Trovo Trips" and guest appearance announcements.
- Invest in Art, Not Just Ink: If her tattoo books are closed (which happens often), look into her original oil paintings. They carry the same "Neo-trad" aesthetic but are easier to acquire if you can't make the trip to Tempe.
- Support the Non-Profit: If you want to support the causes she cares about, look into War Party Ranch. It’s a huge part of her life and a way to see the "real" person behind the reality TV edit.
Marisa LaRen isn't the girl from the showmance anymore. She’s a business owner, an advocate, and a technical artist who proved that you don't need to win the title of "Ink Master" to actually master the industry.