Today we’d like to introduce you to Riley Norsworthy
Hi Riley, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Ever since i saw artwork by Ed Hardy when i was a kid I had an interest in tattooing and the art, and I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. All through-out grade school I was drawing on the side of my notes and taking every art class i could, but never went to college. Back in 2021, I began a tattoo apprenticeship in a shop in San Marcos, and finished out my apprenticeship in 2022 at my current shop, Synthetic Dreams Tattoo Gallery, in New Braunfels.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yes and no, I’d say it was more difficult to decide what I wanted to stick with in my life at the time. I feel I was rather lucky as far as opportunities go, when I moved to San Marcos to figure out what the next move in my life was, I was still drawing but began posting some of my work online. Fortunately for me I had a friend who had seen my work inform me that a local tattoo artist was searching for a new apprentice, and that my art would mix well with his. I applied and got the position within a couple weeks. From there I decided to put all of my time into my art, determined to finish my apprenticeship and become a full fledged tattoo artist. I was also earning money working full time at my family’s restaurant, 54th Street Restaurant and Drafthouse, on top of working 4-6 nights a week at the tattoo shop. Unfortunately, I had to quit working at that tattoo shop some time later due to disagreements with the owner. I was on my own, searching anywhere and everywhere for books and information on tattooing for a couple months. Thankfully, I had met a new tattoo artist that had just moved to New Braunfels from Florida through the restaurant, Ray Arce, and he took me in to finish out my apprenticeship.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’d say my art style is a mix between American and Japanese traditional style with my own flare to the mix. I love tattooing bold lines, nice saturated color, with dark shading. I’m pretty known for drawing animals/creatures, I’ve tattooed lots of big cats recently, tigers, panthers, jaguars and such. I’m honestly really proud of the big cat tattoos, they always look so fierce, and the clients love them every time. I like to think that what sets me apart from other artists is my personality and my attitude towards tattooing, it’s all about the client but I’m not willing to give up my artistry and my clients respect me for it.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can visit my shops website getpokedhere.com to see my portfolio, book a tattoo, or even buy some prints! You can contact me via email: rileynors.inks@gmail.com or via Instagram: @rileynors.inks or contact my tattoo shop via phone: (737) 666-5333, or via Instagram: @tatted_dream. I also have original traditional watercolor paintings for sale as well!
Pricing:
- Custom Tattoos are $140/hour with deposit upon booking (I charge needle to skin, break times not included)
- Flash tattoo pieces (tattoos I have ready to go) range from $100 to $300
- Prints for $30!
- Original paintings vary from $30 to $500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.getpokedhere.com/copy-of-portfolio-1
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rileynors.inks/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@rileynors.inks
Image Credits
Photos of tattoos and artwork belong to me. Tattooing photo credits go to Bryan Rader (instagram: @md7_photography)
