WHY SHANNON RITCHIE?
MISSOURI BORN NYC TATTOO ARTIST
Custom Tattoo Work • Black and Grey Tattoos• Color Tattoos • Comic Art Tattoos • Anime Tattoos • Sleeve Tattoos • Walk-In Tattoos
WHY SHANNON RITCHIE
Shannon Ritchie has spent decades pursuing one simple goal: becoming a better artist.
His journey has taken him from Missouri to New Orleans, through Florida, and ultimately to New York City, collecting experience, friendships, and artistic influences everywhere along the way. While Shannon may tell the story as an epic fantasy adventure filled with Skin Magick, Flesh Weaving, and mythical realms, the reality is equally impressive—a career built on relentless curiosity, artistic growth, and thousands of successful tattoos.
Today Shannon tattoos at Red Rocket Tattoo in Midtown Manhattan, creating custom tattoos inspired by decades of experience, illustration, comics, fantasy, horror, and pop culture.
Custom Tattoo Artist in NYC
Tattooing is more than applying ink to skin. It's visual storytelling.
Shannon approaches every tattoo with the mindset of an illustrator, designer, and lifelong artist. Whether the subject is fantasy, horror, science fiction, gaming, comics, or completely original artwork, he enjoys collaborating with clients to create tattoos that are both technically solid and uniquely personal.
Years spent working in multiple artistic industries have given him the ability to solve creative problems, develop original concepts, and translate ideas into tattoos that fit both the client's vision and anatomy.
Experience & Professional Background
- Professional tattoo artist with decades of experience.
- Began tattooing in Springfield, Missouri.
- Continued developing his craft throughout the Midwest before relocating to New Orleans.
- Learned alongside numerous respected tattoo artists while working in New Orleans.
- Continued tattooing professionally after relocating to Florida.
- Moved to New York City and joined Red Rocket Tattoo.
- Continues to work across multiple artistic disciplines while tattooing full-time.
Beyond Tattooing
Shannon has never limited himself to a single creative medium.
In addition to tattooing, he has worked professionally as:
- Comic book artist
- Sequential storyboard artist
- Game designer
- Illustrator
- Concept artist
- Visual storyteller
This broader artistic background influences every tattoo he creates, allowing him to build compositions that are dynamic, readable, and designed specifically for each client.
Industry Collaborations
Throughout his career, Shannon has worked with a variety of recognized names in comics and gaming.
His experience includes collaborations with:
- The Stan Lee Foundation
- Stan Lee on a unique charity tattoo project
- Wizards of the Coast
- IDW Publishing
- Shadowdark
- Independent comic creators
- Independent game designers
These opportunities reflect years of professional artistic experience both inside and outside the tattoo industry.
Convention Experience
Shannon has tattooed at numerous conventions across the country, including tattoo conventions, comic conventions, and horror conventions.
His appearances include events such as:
- C2E2 (Chicago)
- HorrorHound
- MegaCon
Working conventions has allowed him to meet collectors from around the world while continually expanding his artistic network.
Artistic Style & Influences
Shannon enjoys creating tattoos inspired by:
- Fantasy
- Horror
- Science Fiction
- Comics
- Gaming
- Pop Culture
- Original Illustration
- Custom Tattoo Design
Whether the project is large or small, every tattoo begins as a collaborative artistic process designed specifically for the individual wearing it.
Tattoo Philosophy
For Shannon, tattooing is where illustration and craftsmanship meet.
He believes every tattoo should be thoughtfully designed, technically sound, and enjoyable to wear for a lifetime. While his personality is often filled with humor and storytelling, his standards for tattooing remain serious.
He continues to study, draw, paint, and create because the pursuit of becoming a better artist never really ends.
Outside the Studio
Away from tattooing, Shannon continues creating artwork in multiple mediums while remaining active in comics, gaming, and illustration.
He was also fortunate enough to spend fourteen unforgettable years with his beloved dog, Fafinette—a companion whose memory remains part of every chapter of his journey.
Book Your Appointment
Whether you're looking for a custom tattoo inspired by fantasy, horror, comics, gaming, science fiction, or a completely original concept, Shannon enjoys collaborating with clients to create artwork that is uniquely their own.
Schedule a consultation with Shannon Ritchie at Red Rocket Tattoo in Midtown Manhattan and work with an artist whose creative journey spans decades, multiple industries, and an unwavering commitment to the craft of tattooing.