Ruby Jay Waters - July 15,16 2025

1: how did you get your start in tattooing?

I started my apprenticeship at the ripe age of 29. I always enjoyed and practiced art in my teenage years. I spent a lot of my 20s working in hospitality and felt like I was grinding away with no end goal. I upturned my life and went to Colombia on an open ended trip with no plans, this is where I found my self drawing a lot again. After many months I landed in nyc, very broke and with a lot of spare time outside my deli job there. I started going to the Brooklyn library and looking at tattoo flash books which I would say was where the fire ignited. Out of money and time to return home, I went back to my hometown for the first time in 10 years and began building my portfolio. Once I felt it was strong, I built up enough courage to ask for a chance at WA Ink Tattoo. Once I showed my work, my mentor said yes, I’ll teach you! And I’m still there today. 

2: how would you describe your tattooing style ?

I would say it’s a blend of traditional and Japanese, with a strong focus on Japanese folk art

3: where do your main influences come from? 

I travel to Japan a lot to get inspiration, I love collecting toys and books from there and often look to woodblock prints for my paintings. I am lucky to share the passion with my partner who I would say has a strong influence on my creativity

. 

4:Tell us a little about your painting and other fine art work. It looks like you really enjoy making a variety of cool stuff.

I love to paint and create outside of tattooing, the tattoo part can be high pressure where I feel like when I paint, I’m ultra relaxed and can roll with my mistakes/happy accidents.

I enjoy painting on rice paper, fabric, and canvas, as I’m progressing in my career, I find enjoyment in painting larger pieces.

I also like to experiment with dying fabric and creating something a bit different to the ordinary. 

I have some cool projects coming up with some ceramics too which I’m excited to work on! 

5: I love that you made temporary tattoos. Will you have those with you when you visit?

Thankyou, yes they are so fun! A lot of my friends have kids with tattooed parents, so I think it’s cool that they get to have that experience together. I have been sent so many photos of kids posing with their new ink and it makes me happy. I always used to draw tattoos on myself so I thought it would be a cute idea for other kids to have that opportunity to express themselves.

Yes I’m bringing a bunch with me for sale! 

6: do you have a lot of premade flash to choose from?

I have recently made a book of all of my painted flash which I have with me, hundreds of designs to choose from or to be inspired by, I’m always happy to do custom pieces.

7: anything else interesting about yourself , your travels, you tattooing experiences 

I have been getting tattooed a lot in Japan by this amazing tattooer called Rico, it has definitely been my favourite experience of getting tattooed as I learn so much from him and his partner Shion. Their humble nature and passion for the craft is very inspiring to me. 

I have travelled a lot in my life, I love visiting new countries and I look forward to tattooing in as many as I can throughout my career. I love meeting like minded people. The only downside would be that I can’t bring my dog with me! 

Thanks! My goal is to let the community here get to know you a bit, and hopefully build interest in your work.