Rihanna has attracted the attention of the New York City Department of Heath after turning tattoo artist at a parlour in the city.

The Umbrella singer was snapped as she inked umbrellas and the letter 'R' on a number of very willing volunteers at East Side Ink, apparently blissfully unaware she was breaking the law in doing so.

"Only licensed tattoo artists can administer tattoos in the city according to the City's Health Code," a spokesperson for the NYC Health Department tells TMZ.

“We are sending someone down to follow up on this."

Rihanna could be charged with misdemeanors for each incident of amateur needle work, which would carry a fine, the website reports.

Rihanna own collection of body art includes a swirl of stars on her upper back, another star inside her left ear, a musical note on her ankle and a Pisces sign behind her right ear.

She also has a Sanskrit prayer on one hip, a tribal design on her right hand, and the word Shhh... inked along her index finger.

Her most recent etching, a handgun etched on her ribcage, saw her accused of glamourising violence when pictures of the new tattoo emerged in March.

Unfortunately, it seems this impressive personal collection doesn't make her qualified to get creative with a tattoo needle on other people.

Stars and their tats