Meet Rielle: One on One Series

Rielle is a talented tattoo artist who has been creating stunning ink for five years, specializing in illustrative designs with a spooky, Halloween-inspired aesthetic.

Finding her way into tattooing

After graduating from art school, Rielle noticed many of her classmates had become tattoo artists, sparking her interest in the craft. She practiced initially at home on fruit using a beginner's machine her partner gave her, before landing a nine-month apprenticeship at a local tattoo shop where friends were working. Though she acknowledges it was unconventional by today's standards, it was the perfect foot in the door for her career.

Rielle's work centers on black and grey designs — a preference rooted in her fine arts background. She tried color work but found it wasn't her strong suit, preferring to stick with pen, paper and ink. Her goal is to focus on larger, more elaborate back pieces with intricate detail, though she acknowledges this ambition faces challenges in the current economy.

Working with Rielle

Clients can reach Rielle through Instagram DM or email to book appointments. Her pricing is straightforward: flash designs start at $160/hour (with a $130 minimum for pieces under an hour), while custom work is $170/hour.

When she's not behind the tattoo chair, Rielle channels her creative energy into puppet making. With degrees in fine arts and advanced special effects, prosthetics, and props, she creates stop motion animation puppets in the style of Jim Henson's work — often on commission. She recently completed a massive elephant head for a theater production, demonstrating the breadth of her artistic talents.

One of Rielle's long-time clients raves about her work, having gotten seven pieces from her after discovering her on Instagram. The client specifically praised Rielle's ability to take a unique custom idea (three stacked heads) and execute it perfectly, turning them into a loyal customer who's brought friends and family back for more.

What's next

Rielle is excited to participate in the Edmonton convention this year, planning a mix of walk-ups and pre-booked appointments. She's also considering entering her work in the convention's competitions.

WATCH RIELLE’S ONE ON ONE SERIES