ARTIST CV
Rayna Ross| Mixed Media + Body Artist
Rayna’s professional art career started at age 15. She’s found an intersect between surface pattern design,color flow and the processes of complex layers. Often dreamscapes, abstract and brightly colored works on untraditional surfaces.
Rayna’s professional Mehndi body art started around age 15 as a way to connect to her cultural roots and South Asian Heritage ( Tamil, Nadu ) . Rayna Art + Co established in 2012 incorporating body art into her art portfolio and skill set. As a self taught artist before the resources of YouTube and social media have made it much easier to learn the ritual of Mehndi. Rayna has attended Polar Spring + HennaCon professional conferences to further her knowledge, skills and connections within the natural henna community.
Rayna’s tattooing career kickstarted in 2018. After many years of seeking apprenticeships and not fitting the profile of a tattooer. She decided to focus on henna body art and to become highly proficient in a clean modern style. After years of experience with henna body art it was time to seek out tattooing again. Rayna has been tattooing on skin since November 2019. Due to medical setbacks, while being in the industry for 5 years. Rayna has only been tattooing on skin for around 3.5 years.While having an apprenticeship in a licensed establishment, she is self taught on skin. She looks forward to learning from more tattooers and connecting with a like minded community of body artists to grow and learn new skills within tattooing.
Rayna is a beginner ceramic artist and hopes to expand on this medium in the future.
EDUCATION
Saint Ansgar High School 2009
Art Teacher | Tom Townsend
Grand View University | Art Education 2009-2010
Professors| Aaron Tinder, Dennis Kaven
Drake University | Studio Art + Graphic Design 2010-2012
Professors| Angela Battle, Phillip Chen, Ignatius Widiapradja
CERAMICS
Kunzler Studios ( 3 Classes) 2021-2022
Des Moines Art Center (2 Classes ) 2021-2022
TATTOO
Apprenticeship (Mentor Daniel Lapcheske, Owner of Electric Warlock)
Iowa Tattoo Company October 2018-July 2019
Creative Images ( Owner Sherry Sears) October 2019
Impressions By Permanent Collection ( Owner Kathy Crimmins) November 2019- January 2020
Rayna Art + Co | Location 150 Sq Ft.( Shear Gallery Suites) 2020-2021
Rayna Art + Co | Location 250 Sq. Ft.( Mainframe Artist Studio) 2021-2022
Rayna Art + Co | Location 855 Sq. Ft.( Brick + Mortar Highland Park DSM) 2022- Present
TATTOO GUEST SPOTS
Grinn & Barrett | Omaha, NE
Rawhide Tattoo| Ralston, NE
Dwelling Tattoo | Chicago, IL October 2023
WHOLESALE
Des Moines Mercantile 2023
GRANTS
Photography
Liz Brown www.estorie.com
Raeyln Ramey www.raelynramey.com
Cassandra Monroe www.cassandramonroe.com
Joelle Blanchard www.figmentartphoto.com
Anna Jones http://annajon.es/
Meaghan Moorlach www.itsmadeinthemidwest.com
Nicole Lorenson https://preservation.pixieset.com
Ivy Towler www.towlerphotography.com
Jonah Lorsung www.jonahlorsung.com
Lizzie White www.lunaphotographie.com
Sophie Saks www.sophieraephoto.com
Alyssa Leicht www.alyssaleicht.com
Paige Kleckner http://paigekleckner.com
Lacie Navin www.lacienavinphoto.com
Casey Austen www.caseyausten.com
Stephanie Sunberg http://stephaniesunberg.zenfolio.com
Cosmetology
MUA Kelsi Ziemann http://www.kelsiziemann.com/
Hair Brianne Laws https://hairbybrianne.com/
MUA Ivy Boyd http://www.ivyboyd.com
Stylists + Bloggers
Lauren Day https://linktr.ee/laurennnday
B.K. Turner http://chicibiki.com/
MARKETS + FESTIVALS + EVENTS
Minnesota State Fair| Soleshine Henna Booth , Minneapolis, MN 2017-2020
80/ 35 Music Festival DSM, IA
Vintage In The City 2015-2018 DSM,IA
The Denver Flea Denver, CO 2016
The Vintage Whites Market Denver CO 2017
Junkstock Omaha, NE 2015-2018
Good Makers Market Iowa City, Iowa 2016-2018
Market Day DSM,IA 2013-2015
Pear Fair Cedar Falls, Iowa 2015, 2016,2018
Saylorville Lake Marina Market 2018
Brilliant Crafts And Wares Fair DSM,IA 2017
Happy Hollow Days Beaverdale, Iowa 2017
Minneapolis Craft Market Minneapolis, MN 2016
Vintage & Made Fair 2016
Waukee Art Festival 2016
SW 9th Open Street Event DSM,IA 2015-2016
Austin Artworks Festival, Austin MN 2012-2016
Valley Junction Arts Festival DSM,IA 2016
Cowles Craft Market DSM,IA 2016
Vintage Fair At The Barn Pleasant Hill, Iowa 2016
FlyOver Fashion Fest Iowa City, Iowa 2016
Go Blog Social DSM,IA 2016
Brunch With The Basics DSM,IA 2016
Mumford & Sons Gentlemen Of The Road Tour Waverly, Iowa 2015
Ankeny Unplugged Ankeny,IA 2015
Iowa Yoga Festival DSM,IA 2015
Lucky Star Market Ames, Iowa 2015
Relay For Life Polk County Altoona, Iowa 2015
Ames Farmers Market Ames, IA 2014
Music On The Plaza Altoona, Iowa 2014
Mason City Downtown Art Crawl Mason City, Iowa 2014
Oatmeal Days St. Ansgar, Iowa 2013
Bratwurst Days, St. Ansgar, Iowa 2013
POP-UP EVENTS IN STORE + SOLO ART SHOWS
REDO
Finding Iowa
Sacred Health
West Elm
Ritual Cafe
Cafe Diem
Smokey Row Coffee
DSM Brew Coffee Co.
Friedrichs 42nd St.
Friedrichs Urbandale
Zanzibar’s Coffee Adventure
Mars Cafe
The Knotty Nail
Grounds For Celebration
Village Bean Coffee Co.
Wanderlust
Matilda Muse
Lefty’s Live Music
Science Center of Iowa
Moxie Art Gallery
Art of Nails
Noce
Party On Des Moines
Beez Rustic Treasures
Preservation
Des Moines Social Club
DM YOGA .
Preservation
Domestica
Des Moines Music Coalition
Moar Tacos
Rain Barrels Iowa
Porch Light Coffeehouse - Ankeny,Iowa
Octagon Art Gallery - Ames, Iowa
Arcadia Cafe - Ames, Iowa
White Rabbit - Iowa City,Iowa
Revival Clothing Store - Iowa City, Iowa
Sex + Ice Cream - Kansas City, Missouri + DSM,Iowa
Scout Dry Goods + Trade - Omaha, Nebraska
Caffeine Dreams - Omaha, Nebraska
Zen Coffee Company - Omaha Nebraska
Market 124 - Mason City, Iowa
Austin Art Gallery- Austin, MN
Austin Area Commission For The Arts - Austin, MN
Coffeehouse On Main - Austin, MN
Yoga Center of Austin- Austin,MN
Rochester Downtown Alliance - Rochester, MN
CORPORATE
The Integer Group
KCCI
https://www.kcci.com/article/des-moines-central-iowa-tattoo-artist-shares-culture-through-art-sundara/41380315