Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Rye.
Hi Sydney, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Sydney Rye, also known as Twisted Syd, I am 25 years old and I have been a licensed tattoo artist for a little over 2 years now. Growing up I always LOVED seeing my dad get new tattoos, and I loved to draw/create art so it was always in my mind that one day I’d give tattooing a go. My amazing parents bought me my first tattoo machine for my 14th birthday but after a few months tattooing synthetic skins I lost my confidence and stopped. As my parents claim, I was born with a crayon in my hand, so I never gave up creating art I just thought that tattooing was too far out of my reach. Flash forward to 2022, I was 22 years old and happened to meet Christian Buckingham, who owns TimeWarp Tattoos, and like most people I was a huge fan of his from his time on Ink Master, so I got his information to eventually get a tattoo from him! When I showed up to my appointment we were chatting and I mentioned how tattooing was a dream of mine, and he asked me the simple question of “so why don’t you try?” I was hesitant because I was about to graduate with a degree in Forensic Science from USF, but he and my parents both convinced me to give tattooing a shot to see what I was capable of … That night I went home and purchased hundreds of dollars in supplies, and about 40 pounds of synthetic skins so I could begin teaching myself how to tattoo. I tattooed for 2-4 hours every night for almost a year and documented my growth on Instagram where I met loads of supportive artists who encouraged me throughout my journey. I was fortunate enough to find a shop that took me in and helped to get me licensed, but it wasn’t a good fit for me there at that shop so I left and guest spotted at a couple shops, the main one being TimeWarp. I would come in and tattoo during events and TimeWarp became a second home to me. I live about two hours from the shop, but whenever they needed my help I’d pack up and be there ASAP. I got used to hearing the question “when are you going to move here so you can be here more than just for events?” Moving isn’t in the cards for me right now, but as of July of 2025 I became a part-time artist at the shop and travel out weekly to tattoo on Fridays, or upon request other days of the week. Every single day that I am at the shop I am around some of THE BEST artists I have ever seen, and I try my best to be a sponge to soak up every morsel of knowledge they throw my way. I love this shop, and everyone in it… I am so happy to have had the opportunities I have had to get me to where I am today. My parents (Dawn, and Tim), and Christian pushed me to take a chance, and to pursue my dreams, and I am forever grateful for their endless support.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been easy, but nothing in the world we live in today typically is. I am majority self-taught with most of my knowledge coming from learning hands on with synthetic skins, and trial and error on my own skin. Unlike most people who teach themselves I didn’t go out and search for willing people to let me tattoo them, I wanted to make sure that when I first tattooed someone I knew what I was doing so I didn’t hurt them (more than necessary), and above all else I wanted to make sure they were getting a tattoo we both could be proud of. Over time I also found myself at a shop that was taking advantage of me, and was taking almost all of the money from each tattoo I did, but being a young artist, I stayed for longer than I should have at that shop because I didn’t have confidence in myself… but I grew, and I learned my worth. I am happy I made the choice to get out before I ruined myself financially.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a tattoo artist, and I love trying new styles! If I were to pick a favorite style of tattoo I’d have to say American Traditional, or Neo Traditional. I try not to put myself into a box and stick to one style, so I am always open to trying new things depending on the requests of my clients. I am probably most proud of the original art pieces I put out, I see too much of this market saturated with designs taken/stolen from other artists, so I am proud to be able to put out art that is genuinely mine. I think what sets me apart from others is that I am by most people’s standards an “old soul” so while I may be a 25-year-old on the outside but my heart and soul belongs to the 80’s. I love to tattoo designs pertaining to iconic pop culture movies, and I can talk about 80’s bands for as long as you let me. With all that I know of classic movies and pop culture I can create designs that cater to a much larger audience than those my age.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I just want my story to be able to inspire others. I went to college and was going down a completely different path than tattooing, but with support of those around me I was able to once again reach for my dreams, and I am so happy I did.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @TwistedSydArt
