Ruby DeSimone grew up within a family of arts enthusiasts, allowing her to flourish as an artist at a young age. From filling sketchbooks to partnering with writer friends on book illustrations, her curiosity, patience, and love for Western equestrian arts have long inspired her to nourish her drawing and painting skills across a number of applications. In 2020 she graduated from California State University at Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Illustration.

Whether she wields an Apple Pencil or a box of Prismacolor Premiers, Ruby’s illustrative work often highlights Western and fantasy figures. Though her go-to earth tones nod to her love for the American Southwest, the characters she brings to life on the page (or screen) evoke a sense of whimsy. Her latest illustrations have incorporated storybook elements while offering an empowering spin on conventional tales.

As a tattoo artist, Ruby prioritizes clients’ comfort by bringing a friendly and non-judgmental warmth to her practice. Though she’s delighted to partner with a range of clients whose body art varies greatly, much of her recent work has focused on medieval or fantasy figures depicted via fine lines and crosshatch shading. Her favorite things to tattoo include women with flowing hair, botanicals, creatures that look like they’ve just stepped out of a fable, and (of course) horses.