If you were watching Spike TV back in 2016, you remember the moment. The tension was thick enough to choke on. Ryan Ashley Malarkey—now Ryan Ashley—stood there with that signature look, waiting for the results of Ink Master Season 8. When she won, she didn't just take home a check. She shattered a glass ceiling that had been reinforced with steel and ego for seven years. She was the first woman to win the title, and honestly, the industry hasn't looked the same since.
But a lot of time has passed since that confetti fell. We've seen her go from a breakout reality star to a seasoned judge, a mother, and a business mogul. Then there’s the personal stuff—the moves across the country and a high-profile marriage that recently hit the skids. If you’re wondering where she went or how she’s changed, here is the real story of Ryan Ashley, then and now.
The Early Days: Before the "Ink Master" Fame
Most people think Ryan just appeared on their screens fully formed with those intricate face tattoos and a mastery of black-and-grey work. But she actually started in the fashion world. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in 2007. For five years, she was a designer in New York City, working on beadwork, lace, and embroidery.
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When you look at her tattoos today, you can see that fashion DNA everywhere. Those "jewel" tattoos that look like they're actually sitting on the skin? That comes from years of studying how lace drapes and how crystals catch the light.
She eventually ditched the corporate NYC life to head back to Pennsylvania. She opened a shop called The Strange and Unusual with her then-partner, Josh Balz (the keyboardist for Motionless in White). It was a vibe—half tattoo studio, half oddities parlor. That’s where the "Ryan Ashley" brand really started to cook.
That Historic Win and the "Angels" Era
Winning Season 8 wasn't easy. She had to deal with a lot of "boys club" energy. She famously formed an alliance with other female artists—Kelly Doty, Nikki Simpson, and Gia Rose—to make sure a woman finally made it to the end. It worked.
After the win, the "Angels" took over. They got their own spin-off, Ink Master: Angels, where they traveled the country. It was a hectic time. Ryan was everywhere—covers of Inked magazine, headlining conventions from London to Mexico. She was the face of modern tattooing.
Why Her Style Changed the Game
Before Ryan, "fine line" and "ornamental" weren't always taken seriously in the traditional tattoo world. She proved that:
- Detail matters: You can pack an insane amount of texture into a black-and-grey piece.
- Anatomy is key: Her tattoos follow the curves of the body like expensive lingerie.
- Women are a powerhouse market: She spoke to a demographic that felt ignored by the old-school "biker shop" mentality.
Ryan Ashley Now: Colorado and Big Life Changes
So, where is she in 2026? A lot has shifted. Around 2019, she left the East Coast and moved to Grand Junction, Colorado. She opened a new studio, Elysium Studios, with fellow tattooer Arlo DiCristina.
They got married in a super private ceremony—just the two of them—and had a son named Atheus in 2020. For a few years, they were the "power couple" of the tattoo world. Arlo does this wild color surrealism, and Ryan does her ornamental black-and-grey. It seemed like a perfect match.
The Recent Split
In mid-2024, Ryan shared some heavy news on her Instagram. She and Arlo were divorcing. It was a shock to fans who had followed their journey from the Inked magazine covers to building a life in the mountains.
She’s been pretty open about it, though. In early 2026, she's focusing on her son and her craft. She even made headlines recently for shaving her head—a bold, "fresh start" move that felt very on-brand for someone who has always used her body as a canvas for self-expression.
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Debunking the Myths
People love to talk. One of the biggest rumors that always pops up is that she "only does one thing." People say she can't do color or traditional.
If you actually go back and watch her Ink Master finale, she won with a New School color chest piece. She chose to specialize in black-and-grey because it’s her passion, not because she’s a one-trick pony. Another misconception? That she's just a "TV personality." Truth is, her books are still incredibly hard to get into. She’s a working artist first, celebrity second.
How to Get a Piece From Her
If you’re thinking about getting tattooed by her now, you need to be patient. She isn't working out of a street shop where you can just wander in on a Saturday.
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- Follow the Gram: She usually announces when her books are opening on Instagram.
- The Email Strategy: Use appointments@ryanashley.com. Don't just send "hey." You need a clear concept that fits her style.
- The Colorado Trip: Be prepared to travel to Grand Junction. It’s a beautiful spot, but it’s not exactly a major hub.
- Budget accordingly: Expert work at this level isn't cheap. You're paying for a masterpiece, not a souvenir.
Insights for Aspiring Artists
Ryan’s trajectory shows that being "just" a good artist isn't enough anymore. You have to be a brand. She used her background in fashion, her eye for oddities, and her TV platform to create a world people wanted to be part of.
She also proved that you can pivot. You can move from New York to a small town in Colorado and still be the most relevant person in your industry. It’s about the quality of the work and the authenticity of the person behind the machine.
If you're looking to follow her lead, start by finding a niche that doesn't exist yet. For Ryan, it was "jewelry on the skin." For you, it might be something else entirely. Just don't be afraid to break the "rules" of the industry to get there.
Next Steps for You:
If you're obsessed with her style, look into ornamental black-and-grey artists in your local area to see how her influence has spread. You can also check out the latest season of Ink Master to see her in "judge mode," where she offers some of the most technical critiques in the show's history.