Tattoo Artist Ricky G Brings Hopes to Uplift the Industry’s Image and Reputation
Many people have had negative stigmas against people with tattoos, but one tattoo artist is out to change that perspective by taking tattoo art to a whole new level. Today, his work has gained respect and admiration from people from all walks of life, bringing a positive light to tattoos and those who have them.
Richard Pis, aka Ricky G, is a key industry player in the tattoo industry. He is responsible for turning what was once thought of as a dirty subculture into a highly-appreciated form of art. Some fringe groups have correlated tattoos with sailors and biker gangs more than the middle classes. Today that is changing into an all-pervasive mainstream force.
“When I started, tattoos were seen as something for the outcast, rebels, or military,” Ricky shared in an interview. Today, Ricky brings a fresh perspective to tattoo art as he works in influential circles. Some of his clients include stars and personalities like Dru-Hill, Daryl Strawberry, Nas, Pierre Edwards, Demarcus Robinson, Chauncey Gardner, and Jawan Taylor, among many others. With a tattoo art fee of $250 an hour, Ricky G believes that body ink no longer carries the same negative connotations as it once did and that it should stay that way.
Ricky G has always been fascinated by tattoos. That attitude would completely change the course of his life. Ricky’s training comes from the renowned tattoo artist Rob G, who has done ink work for famous people like the BackStreet Boys, Dru Hill, Method Man, Ja Rule, Neyo, Chris Brown, Rhiana, Jada Kiss, and the Lox. Rob G took Ricky G under his wing after spotting his talent, and the two of them traveled the globe as the celebrities’ go-to tattoo artists.
By altering how the general public views tattoos, Ricky G and Rob G were changing the tattoo industry. A kind of change that the industry has been waiting for. Ami James, another close friend and an esteemed colleague, helped pave the way for many contemporary artists by hosting the first tattoo show broadcast globally. The positive message about body ink was amplified as it became successful and reached a wider audience.
Ricky G had an interesting career start because the tattoo industry was not his first destination. He began his career as an actor and stuntman, premiering in a Kool-Aid commercial at eleven years old. He was always fascinated by the arts, drawn to films like “Insurgent,” “Logan Lucky,” “Dirty Grandpa,” “Ant-Man,” “Let’s Be Cops,” and many more. He did stunts in feature films like Finding Eden, Ant-Man, Insurgent, Graceland, Same Girl, Dirty Deals, and so many more.
As Ricky G continues expanding his craft and penetrates new market segments, he hopes to entice people from varying socio-economic backgrounds, attracting conservative parents, grandparents, accountants, doctors, lawyers, and police officers.
As pioneers in the field, Ricky G, Rob G, and Ami James have revolutionized Miami tattooing and transformed something that was taboo into fine art. And society is now more accepting of it. These guys have a reputation for making significant contributions to their communities and showing gratitude for the art form that was once despised.
In the coming years, Ricky G envisions the tattoo industry no longer has a negative connotation. He hopes to play his part in helping turn the craft into a massive art industry appreciated by people from all seasons and backgrounds.
