Art Talk with Rie Oh

Posted on March 11 2021

Art Talk with Rie Oh
Rie Oh has a distinct tattooing artistry that is uniquely their own. They are located and working right here in Austin, Texas and we had the honor of learning a bit more about them and their art process. 
Hand poked tattoos have a long and important history throughout the world, and for Rie Oh this is something that is at the very heart of what they do, especially as a working tattoo artist pulling a lot of their inspiration from the west Texas desert.

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Blog and Photos by:
Maryssa Rose Chavez and Jinni J  

Rie Oh has a distinct tattooing artistry that is uniquely their own. They are located and working right here in Austin, Texas and we had the honor of learning a bit more about them and their art process. 
Hand poked tattoos have a long and important history throughout the world, and for Rie Oh this is something that is at the very heart of what they do, especially as a working tattoo artist pulling a lot of their inspiration from the west Texas desert.
We first met Rie Oh after the submission of their very first t-shirt design "Alone Together", hosted through Raw Paw Drop Ship. They are currently running a second shirt via Raw Paw Drop Ship now, entitled "We'll Meet Again". We are excited for y'all to learn more about Rie and all of the amazing art that they make. ❤️

Photography by: Jinni J. 

Maryssa:
I am sure you get this question often, but I am really curious about where you pull your inspiration from when it comes down to your personal style of tattooing?

Rie Oh:
I do get this question a lot and I’m never really sure what to say, because for the most part my inspiration comes from throughout my everyday life: trips to Big Bend, plants & animals I encounter, vintage photographs & illustrations, conversations with friends, dreams, poetry… but when it comes to my specific style I guess it's a little less about the inspiration and more about whittling the source material down to its most essential parts. A lot of my drawings of animals, for instance, start out as sketches with more shape and texture. The process of creating the design then becomes a process of asking myself what we really need and what we can let go of.

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Maryssa:
I looked at the studio you tattoo at (No Good Tattoo) and I think it's so amazing that all of you do hand poked tattoos. What made you decide upon hand poked tattoos over machine tattoos, personally?

Rie Oh:
Yeah, most of the artists at No Good are hand poke tattooers, @valvntin does amazing machine work.
I think for me it was less of a conscious decision and more embracing what was available to me as a teenager coming up in Chicago’s DIY scene. I love the accessibility of handpoked tattoos; I love that anyone can do it, and that you can really do it anywhere. Yes, you can go to a tattoo studio and get really nice handpoked tattoos, and I love that too… there will just always be a special place in my heart for the tattoos I’ve given and received on the floor at parties, while camping, during a sleepover, and most of the time from someone who has never given a tattoo before and never thought they could.

    Photography by: Jinni J.                   

Maryssa:
Who was the first person you tattooed on (not including yourself), and do you feel that there will always be a connection to this person?

Rie Oh:
I actually made my first three tattoos on the same day & can’t quite remember if Dani (my sibling) or our friend Sunny volunteered to go first because I’m too distracted by the fact that they both let me get away with going last. Obviously my sibling will be stuck with me no matter what, but I do believe that sharing that moment made a connection between the three of us that won’t disappear over time. Being trusted with a tattoo, especially before ever demonstrating that I could be trusted to tattoo, is big intimacy that I have never taken lightly.

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Maryssa:
Can you name some tattoo artists right now that you would like to give a shout out to or some whose work you really love right now?

Rie Oh:
Of course all of the artists at No Good are making amazing work worth checking out… I’m a huge fan of Autumn (@soft.outlaw.tats) in Chicago, Addie (@diamonddaggertattoo) here in Austin, Zoë (@cowpokin) who is on the move, Nas (@nas.dynasty) here in Austin… I’ll just stop there because this could go on forever; I probably follow at least one new account every day.

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Maryssa:
Who are your 3 favorite artist inspirations in any medium outside of tattoo artistry?

Rie Oh:
I spend a lot of time scrolling my Instagram feed and saving cool stuff like anyone else, but my biggest sources of inspiration to keep creating, to work harder, and to try different perspectives are the artists in my life.
At this point, somewhere near 100% of the people I spend time with are creators of some kind and I am learning something from all of them… whether its Charlie’s movement practice challenging me to see every part of the world around us as the interactive playground that it is (@low.theory), or my housemate Tabitha showing me the value and reward of allowing joy to live alongside ritual and dedication (@thenativedream), or Glad introducing me to the tenacious ethos of diy and the importance of accepting the falling as a part of the climbing (@gladragsmusic).

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Maryssa: Are there any projects you could tell us about that you’re really excited to share?

Rie Oh: I’m mostly staying home and laying low these days, though I am hoping to have another shirt available for pre-order soon! 
** Rie Oh's shirt, "We'll Meet Again" is currently up for preorder now! 

Photography by: Maryssa Rose Chavez

Maryssa:
Could you give us some insight on your art practice and maybe some tips for those who wish to pursue tattoo work full time?

Rie Oh:
My practice looks pretty different today compared to this time last year. I’ve been learning how to give myself more time lately, and not worry as much about constantly creating. I’m letting my practice morph to reflect the emotional changes I’ve been experiencing (with the pandemic and relocation). I’ve expanded my definition of my practice to include time spent reading, time spent talking about my ideas, time spent just sitting outside taking a break… My advice to anyone looking to pursue tattooing right now would be to take things slow and be easy on yourself. Be your own canvas and start simple. Maybe your first tattoo will be really good, but usually it's not. Practice getting better, but also practice forgiving yourself.

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Maryssa:
Are you from Austin, if yes what are you feelings on the current tattoo scene, if not what made you move here?

Rie Oh:
I closed the doors on my private studio in Marfa early in the pandemic around April. It didn’t feel responsible to remain open in a small town with no hospital and minimal access to testing. I was torn between working a service job until I could reopen the studio *or* relocating somewhere I could resume tattooing. In June I heard about an amazing housing opportunity in Austin and decided that if I applied & was accepted that I would move the nearly five hundred miles to work at No Good. I moved to Austin in September!

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Maryssa:
If you could get tattooed by anyone in the world right now who would it be?

Rie Oh:
Susan Sarandon can tattoo anything she wants anywhere on my body (I would offer to show her the ropes, but I fully expect she’s given a stick and poke before).


"… there will just always be a special place in my heart for the tattoos I’ve given and received on the floor at parties, while camping, during a sleepover, and most of the time from someone who has never given a tattoo before and never thought they could."


"My advice to anyone looking to pursue tattooing right now would be to take things slow and be easy on yourself. Be your own canvas and start simple. Maybe your first tattoo will be really good, but usually it's not. Practice getting better, but also practice forgiving yourself."

Photography by: Jinni J.

Thank you so much Rie for your words of wisdom and for allowing us to do this interview. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you and see you create magic everyday. You can find Rie on via their Instagram, No Good Tattoo, and on their Website.
Share some love and go give them a follow, book a tattoo appointment, and snag their one of a kind shirt available until March 14th. 🌀