Painted Expression: The World of Twisted Tooth Nails

 

Painted Expression: The World of Twisted Tooth Nails

Written: Hadley Waldren / Photography: wannabepeterparker / Creative Direction: King

Charms, chrome, gel, and gloss in the name of self-expression—that’s what Twisted Tooth Nails wants for every client who enters their whimsical studio. Rigby, the 21-year-old independent nail artist behind Twisted Tooth, is an Oklahoma City native on a mission to create personalized works of art on a tiny canvas.

Rigby’s Instagram bio—the first impression for many clients—reads: “Art enthusiast! All things weird, funky, and creepy, let’s hold hands!” That’s exactly how it feels to be in their studio: weird, funky, creepy, and held. With a warm presence and a genuine love for their craft, Rigby makes even the most hesitant client feel ready to dive into the world of intricate nail art.

Tucked away on the ever-busy Classen Boulevard sits Manifest Beauty, a studio space housing independent artists. You’ll find Twisted Tooth Nails behind a curtain in the lobby. In this clown-covered studio, Rigby creates custom designs ranging from 3D worms with a dirt base to beloved cartoon characters—and anything in between.

Rigby built their circus tent-like space at Manifest Beauty by slowly collecting secondhand clowns. When seated across the nail desk, clients are greeted by a cascade of parachuting papier-mâché clowns, framed paintings of cheerful jesters, and a few tearful porcelain figurines. Every piece of art and furniture has been gathered through months of thrifting—an intentional curation that fills the room with care and charm.

“My clown obsession is kind of a newer one,” Rigby says when asked about the circus theme. “I knew I was going to have these curtains and I was like, ‘Circus tent. I could make them circus tent.’ And that kind of sparked the rest of it.”

Though central to their aesthetic, circus-style art isn’t the only so-called “oddity” Rigby finds beauty in. Taxidermy, another misunderstood art form, has also captured their fascination. After taking classes at Beloved Bones, an oddities shop near the Plaza District, Rigby learned both the technical skills and emotional care involved in honoring the dead.

“Taxidermy is just the most beautiful art to me. I think it's super cool to honor an animal that, either you don't know how it died, or maybe it didn't die for great reasons, and now it gets to be a piece of art in your home,” Rigby says.

In conversation, it’s immediately clear that Rigby is an artist in every sense. Their clothing, hair, jewelry, tattoos, and—of course—their nails exude authentic uniqueness. As a true creative, Rigby delights in sharing the art forms that bring them joy. Just a year ago, they were living and working as a stained glass artist in rural Colorado before returning to Oklahoma City. Since coming home, Rigby has focused on building a supportive community of creatives in Oklahoma.

“You do find your own niche communities, even if it was something I'd never experienced before,” they explain. “You come back and you really can build a life with the people that you want and the things that you want.”

That love for community extends beyond their artistic peers. Rigby is also deeply grateful to their family for their emotional and practical support. Their father, also a small business owner, has served as a mentor throughout the creation of Twisted Tooth Nails.

“Thankfully, my dad has been very helpful with that stuff and good at giving advice,” Rigby says. “He definitely is my advisor. He helped me get my LLC set up, helped me get my business bank account, and helped me register as a small business.”

Rigby’s mom also lends a hand—or two—whenever needed. In the early days of Twisted Tooth, they relied on family and friends to be their first clients. While their mom may not share Rigby’s love of wacky nail art, she still volunteers her nails as a practice canvas.

“She kind of got roped into it a little bit, but she lets me do whatever,” Rigby laughs. “I don't think she'd let me do guts on her nails, but she comes and kind of knows she’s going to get whatever I want to do today, so it's super fun.”

Before opening Twisted Tooth Nails in Manifest Beauty, Rigby worked down the street at Milk Nail Studio, where they were first encouraged to pursue nail art professionally. Not long after starting to learn the craft, they were offered a position when one of the Milk techs went on maternity leave.

“When I moved back, I started going to Milk, and they knew I was looking for a creative job,” Rigby recalls. “So they were all like, ‘Why don't you try nails?’ They kind of convinced me to go to nail school. All the people at Milk are so inspiring—not just my style, I just always learn so much from them.”

Rigby now pays that encouragement forward. As a nonbinary artist, they prioritize creating an inclusive space for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether designing a gender-affirming nail set or simply offering a listening ear, Rigby’s studio is a haven for expression in all forms.

“When you're queer, [nail art] also means getting to express your queerness,” Rigby says. “I think it's the coolest thing ever, getting to help people do that. Just helping people feel good about themselves and maintain the way they want to be seen by the world—it’s a really awesome job.”

Rigby’s brand of radical self-acceptance took root early in life. Like many LGBTQIA+ kids, they were bullied growing up. But those hardships helped bring them closer to embracing their full identity.

“I was always scared to express myself and then I just kind of got fed up with being bullied, and something switched in my head,” Rigby explains. “It was just like, ‘I actually don't care what anybody thinks,’ and I just started completely dressing for myself. I'm so glad I went through that shit because I feel the way that I do now.”

That sentiment has rung true throughout Rigby’s journey. Through all their success, they keep gratitude at the forefront—whether for their work, friendships, family, art, or inspiration.

“I feel very lucky to be able to be 100 percent happy with myself and who I am, and there's nothing I want to change,” they say. “I’m grateful to get to feel this way at such a young age.”

For Rigby, the path to fulfillment is simple: be a freak. They believe that what makes someone different is often the key to their truest, most joyful life.

“Yeah! Match your own freak. Find your freak. Unleash your freak.”