We recently connected with Hunter Richling and have shared our conversation below.

Hunter, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I think I’ve always known I’d work in a creative industry; it’s where I’ve always felt the most freely myself. I started drawing around five years old and I haven’t put the pencil down since, other than when exchanging it for a tattoo machine, of course. Figuring out what specific professional direction to go in took time. I dabbled in makeup, clothing and interior design before finding home in a tattoo shop.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Hunter Richling, or, online, Twisted Pixie tattoos. I am a self-taught fine line tattoo artist in Los Angeles. I specialize in black and grey tattoos, but I’ve recently gained my certifications in both graphic design as well as permanent make up – specifically eyebrows, which I’m thrilled to be able to provide. As the pseudonym might suggest, my favorite art ranges from skeletons & spiders to faeries and flowers.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Any artist who’s new to a field would benefit by learning from experienced professionals. I always thought that access to resources like that was limited and hard to find. Turns out, there’s guidance everywhere! There are countless online courses and webinars that offer training in pretty much anything. I recommend investing in classes from reputable schools & mentors. Also, if you’re a self-employed artist like myself, research is key. You’ll have plenty of decisions to make along the way. What tattoo machine works best for your style? Where do I market my artwork? My final tip should go without saying – to every artist with an iPad: download Procreate!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I find the most rewarding aspect of tattooing to be making my clients feel good about themselves, whether that be with confidence, self-expression or individuality. I put a lot of effort towards making the process of getting a tattoo welcoming and comfortable because my goal is to make my clients feel as at ease as possible. To curate this, my entire tattoo setup is pink, I put on the tv with various “comfort shows”, and my tattoo glide even smells like bubble gum! I do frequent check-ins with my clients to see their pain level, and I always encourage a break if they need it. As long as my client leaves happy, that’s what matters most to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hunter-richling.square.site/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/twistedpixietattoos?igshid=YTQwZjQ0NmI0OA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr