Meet Gabrielle Ripka | Tattoo Artist & Studio Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabrielle Ripka and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabrielle, how do you think about risk?
I generally consider myself a cautious person. I suppose that comes with having anxiety, but I think I’ve always been pretty cognizant of risks- where they are, how big, how likely. I like to plan, so I’m big on Pros & Cons lists. What’s the best possible outcome? What’s the worst that could happen? What can I do to mitigate the risks that I can’t eliminate?

Personally, it’s easier to take risks for myself than to take risks where others are involved. When I started my apprenticeship I was just getting comfortable in my first ‘adult’ job- salaried, with union benefits and retirement. It didn’t take very long for me to realize I was living for the nights and weekends I could be at the studio tattooing. Taking that first risk- quitting a job with health insurance and retirement, with coworkers I adored- it felt huge. Tattooing came with no safety net. I did my best to rationalize (Pros & Cons lists galore) but ultimately it felt less like a choice and more like gravity. Art was something I was always pulled toward; Always circling back to. I told myself that the risks would only grow if I delayed (which was true). I had this feeling of invincibility (which wasn’t true) that I think a lot of people experience in their twenties. I told myself I was looking for every excuse to take the risk- and then I had an injury at work. I fractured my spine and was told I would end up paralyzed if I was hurt again the same way, which was nearly guaranteed in that position. Suddenly the daydream of doing the “irresponsible” thing didn’t feel as risky. I put in my notice, and my 26th birthday was the first day of my full-time tattooing adventure.

Looking back, risks are really what laid the foundations of my career and my studio. Tattooing involves a lot of risk to others; you’re creating wounds on people- and that comes with a serious responsibility. Those risks have driven me to constantly seek further education. We can’t plan for what we don’t know, and what we don’t know can absolutely hurt us- or worse, as with tattooing, it can hurt those who are trusting us with their skin and their health. Constant awareness of risks is a necessity in tattooing, and luckily there are more resources than ever to help us be as prepared as possible. It’s really inspiring to see this fusion of art classes with health and safety; we know more than ever and have the ability to share that information more easily than ever before. There are some great online spaces for tattoo artists to share their knowledge, the newly discovered science and understanding in our field that’s only growing. Really, that’s all born from risk- our awareness of it and our attempts to mitigate it. Risks will always be there, but recognizing them drives so many people to do better, and to work together in a way that allows for all of us to improve.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think I’ve taken art for granted a lot in my life. I was always making something, but I always felt a bit like an imposter when people called me an artist. When I was little I was always drawing, or making paper sculptures, and then I tried tying fishing flies, and then writing and painting and sewing and, and, and… But I never really felt like an Artist, I just liked making things. I put a lot of pressure on myself because everyone else seemed to see being an artist as this encompassing identity, and I really had no idea who I was. I felt like a fraud. So I went to art school, to learn how to properly Art. I got the degree and learned the rules so I could break them properly and with intention (as advised). I learned just enough to recognize how much I don’t know, then I graduated and didn’t touch a piece of art for three years. I felt more like an imposter than ever. It’s something I still struggle with, despite supporting myself solely with my art for the past 8 years. I still have days where I feel like someone will pop through the front door like the Scooby gang to unmask me- not a real capital-A Artist; just the nerdy girl who lives in the woods at the edge of town and likes to draw. She can trick people no more! But it hasn’t happened yet, so I’ll keep drawing until the Mystery Machine pulls up. I’ve gotten away with it so far, so maybe McLuhan was right and it really is art. It feels more like just trying to figure myself out, but I find myself most inspired and excited about my work when I don’t dwell too much on definitions. I enjoy the comfort of finding all the little ways things work together regardless of classification. The things that fall into place that could never be planned for end up my favorite parts of every story, inked in skin or on paper.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Most of my favorite places are far from people. I’m not sure if its that my mind is always noisy enough without an external crowd, or that I don’t take enough time to just be where I am, but I have a few favorite places that make existing in the moment easier for my scattered mind. About ten minutes drive from my studio there is a stunning 110-foot waterfall and massive gorge, surrounded by dozens of acres of forested trails and hidden pools. It’s stunning year round, frozen solid enough for ice-climbing in winter and roaring over the cliffs in summer. You can hike down to swim in the reservoir below the falls, or stand at what feels like the edge of the world up top. My partner is an avid outdoorsman and endless vault of knowledge on all-things-nature, and makes for the perfect guide. He always brings homemade wine or baked goods to pair with fun trivia on the fossils or mushrooms or plant life that our area is engulfed in. A few miles away is a 17-mile stretch of freshwater sand dunes and a childhood favorite of mine to visit. Bonfires on the beach and sleeping under the stars feels otherworldly, and we have a favorite lookout spot whenever a good thunderstorm rolls in over the water. On clear nights in summer I love to take a trip to one of the nearby drive-in theaters and catch a triple feature that keeps us out until the early hours. It’s difficult to narrow down an itinerary with so much nature around. In fall the salmon run explodes the population of our little town of 2,000 to standing room only on the bridges and the riverbanks. Winters average around 200 inches of snow, but the entire area is crisscrossed with snowmobile trails. The wildlife alone is a dream to witness, there are a handful of active bald eagle nests within walking distance of my house. Bear do occasionally wander into town, though the moose tend to stay a little farther north. Fox and bobcat are common, as are coyote. There is a covered bridge behind our property with an excellent view of a beaver family. Fisher cat calls (screams, really) make for great ambiance in telling ghost stories around the fire. My favorites center around my family history- a gang of outlaws, horse thieves and train robbers that ran wild here for nearly a century. Full of murder, Halloween curses, and buried swamp gold, they make for great entertainment. Ultimately, its a quiet little place but one my family has called home for generations and one I am always thrilled to share.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom has been the most supportive and influential person in my life. It didn’t matter what it was in life, she always told me I could do anything I set my mind to- it might not be easy, it might take a lot of work, it might take a few tries (and that’s ok), but that I could do it. As a kid I didn’t recognize what that kind of unconditional support really meant, or how rare it is. I just accepted it because my mom told me it was true. By the time I was old enough to start really questioning it, she was always there to encourage me past the doubts. And watching her tackle any and every challenge shaped my whole worldview. She’s the first the admit if she doesn’t know something, but she’s never afraid of learning. I grew up watching her learn from books and video how to fix plumbing and lay tile, she can draw these incredible pieces of art and then go out and lay a brickwork patio. She could always do it all, and yet she has always been so humble about it. She’s my best friend, and the world would be a much better place if everyone had someone in their corner as wholeheartedly supportive as she is. She’s got a huge heart and just wants the best for everybody.

Website: Littlefishstudios.org

Instagram: Instagram.com/littlefishstudios

Facebook: Facebook.com/littlefishstudios

Image Credits
Jessica Trump – Jovial Photography