Now 22, I started tattooing right out of high school, honoring my grandfather—a Vietnam veteran with 2 Purple Hearts—by adopting his dream.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
I love tattooing because it lets me turn vision into permanent art, blending passion, precision, discipline, and carrying a true tradition.
Where do you find inspiration?I find inspiration in the macabre and in life itself, drawn to the balance between darkness and light. The contrast between the two fuels my creativity, reminding me that without struggle there is no beauty, and without shadow there is no depth. This duality shapes my work, allowing me to create pieces that feel alive, meaningful, and honest, reflecting both the harsh and beautiful sides of existence.
What would you do with $25,000?Use it to open my own Tattoo studio where I can continue practicing tattooing and teaching those that have what it takes to carry on my legacy and everything I represent as an artist, to put meaning and purpose back into tattooing
Vote for Ryan Dowden to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
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