Rising Stars: Meet Hunter Richling

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hunter Richling.

Hi Hunter, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I was five, my family took a trip to Big Bear, where my father taught me how to draw blue birds. I haven’t put a pencil down since; though, nowadays, it’s usually an iPad pencil. Since then, I’ve added many notches to my artistic tool belt, but I get the most enjoyment drawing with charcoal, in a black & grey style that has influenced my professional career as a tattoo artist. When I was in high school, a friend of mine was starting an apprenticeship at a local shop. One day after school, I went over to his house and we spent hours tattooing grapefruits for practice. I instantly fell in love with the craft. Everything about it felt intuitive and freeing. Funny enough, the first picture on my Instagram is from that day, captioned “I think I found what I want to do.”

Although life led me in a different direction, tattooing never left my mind. Years later, when the pandemic sent the world into lockdown and I lost my job, I was drawn back to tattooing. I purchased a tattoo machine and started my research. I spent months studying techniques, researching which needles work best, and practicing with my (very brave) friends as human canvases. I started posting my work on social media and shortly after, I was reached out to by a company to tattoo full-time for them. I was incredibly nervous going into that interview, but I must’ve done something right because they assumed I had been tattooing for years. (I had only logged about a dozen tattoos in my five months of experience, and I made sure to clear that up for them.) Long story short, I was hired as a resident artist and was fortunate enough to start tattooing a dozen clients a week. I decided to go by the artist’s name Twisted Pixie because it represents the two sides of me (artistically and fashionably), often contrasting cute with spooky. Today, I’m at a new studio in Canoga Park, gratefully continuing to practice my craft and grow my business.

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?
My artistic journey has come with its share of trials. I obviously love creating art, but turning it into a career is a challenging process. Luckily for me, my freelancing days were put to a halt when I was hired by a tattooing company. But even then, it was grueling. I felt constantly tested and judged under a microscope. I’ve struggled with anxiety my whole life, and tattooing was the rocket that freed me from my brain and sent me to my own world. So when my work started to feel more demanding than liberating, it took a toll on my mental. Ultimately, I parted ways with that shop and found a shop where I felt more at peace to create with my clients. Though my tattooing career hasn’t necessarily been via the traditional route, I feel very fortunate to be where I’m at. For me, tattooing is so much more than a job; it’s a place for me and my clients to express ourselves. I strive to create a judgment-free space for my clients to be themselves. From first-timers to veterans, I want everyone to feel comfortable and leave uplifted.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an artist that specializes in fine-line and black & grey tattoos. I like to think I’m known for my warm personality and an impressively diverse array of flash tattoos to choose from. What I’m most proud of is the work I’ve put in thus far to get where I’m at. I spend a lot of time on my artwork, marketing efforts and relationships, so seeing my hard work pay off is what’s most gratifying.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Along with tattooing, I’m also certified in graphic design. I’ve been commissioned to create custom artwork, ranging from business logos to car decals to an oracle deck. I don’t like to confine myself to any specific medium or canvas, so I also enjoy creating things like resin art, terrariums, and custom shoes & nail sets. I’ve also recently discovered a love for cooking, allowing me to be creative in a different way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hunter-richling.square.site/?fbclid=PAAaYeBdpWQ5CoGN7ijv0pp4wVjLwiEkqxq4RsukfL_Khtbif5TsEPz-kbP4s
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twistedpixietattoos/