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CHRIS BLINSTON
by Max Brand
Photos courtesy of Chris Blinston
From the January 2007 issue of PRICK Magazine.
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Pompano Beach might be known for its hot summers and
lots of old people, but in a little shop on Route 1, you'll find
one of the nation’s most respected tattoo artists. Chris
Blinston is not only well known for his first class tattoo studio and
award winning tattoos, but also for his strong personality and ability to
push himself forward. Blinston is "dedicated to the pursuit of perfection,"
and is fancied as a "goal oriented leader, committed to success
for himself and those around him." If Blinston tattoos you, contest
trophies are sure to follow.
Chris Blinston is known for rendering amazing images on the skin, often
beginning with only a pen and marker in hand. On several occasions, PRICK has
watched Blinston start with a blank canvas of skin and
sketch out a beautiful pin-up girl or a crazy skull; later
attacking it with his tattoo machines and, by the end of the
day, a simple sketch has been transformed into a stunning
tattoo.To look at the tiny detail and precision in person, it
is hard to believe that the designs aren't mastered on
paper first. It is safe to assume that Blinston has achieved
this level of talent through years of discipline and practice.
His past is proof that when he sets his mind to something,
he accomplishes it.
Blinston graduated from Kansas State University in
1992 with a degree in Architectural Engineering and Art.
Afterwards, he worked his way through the ranks of the
U.S. Marine Corps. Blinston has received over twenty military
awards, including the NATO Medal for Valor, which
was received after assisting in the rescue of Scott O'Grady
from Bosnia. The movie Behind Enemy Lines was loosely
based on those events without permission.
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Blinston moved on to tattooing, applying the same
work ethic that he has relied on for any previous challenge.
Throughout his tattoo career, Chris has won over 160
industry awards and was named one of the “Top 20 Most
Influential Artists” in 2004 by Skin Art magazine.That same
year, Tattoo magazine included Chris in their "Tattoo
Dream Team." From 2000 to 2005, Chris was owner of Big
Brain Productions in Omaha, Nebraska, and won numerous
awards, such as "Omaha's Best Tattoo Parlor.” In 2005,
Chris relocated to Pompano Beach Florida and opened Big
Brain 2, his second world-class studio, with a staff of experienced
and friendly artists.
If you have a chance to meet Chris Blinston at his
shop, or at a tattoo convention, take the opportunity to
witness a highly skilled and equally driven individual.
Blinston does everything for a reason -- when you watch
him tattoo, it is apparent that he is capable of virtually anything.
He is willing to discuss ideas and give advice that
keeps only the client’s best interest in mind. So check out
Big Brain 2 and, while you’re down there, go see Blinston
tattooing and conducting his seminar at the Gold Coast
Tattoo Expo in South Florida. Just remember, Blinston will
certainly say exactly what is on his mind; a right that he has
undoubtedly earned.
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Max:
A few years ago Skin Art named you as one of the "Top 20 Most
Influential Artists." What do you think makes you influential? And, If
you could influence people however you wanted, what would you want
them to learn from you?
Chris: I think that one of the influential traits that the magazine was
looking for at the time was the ability to invent and basically come
up with new ideas such as some of the textures that I have been known
to produce on some of my tattoos. I'm sure being "influential" can be
suggestive in so many different ways to people especially artists, I
would hope that I could influence the people around me in any positive
way possible, that is to say that if they could take at least one
thing from me, being something artistic like a texture or a color
blend, or something as simple as how to "be" part of this ever growing
industry.
You were involved in a "how-to" book about tattooing. How did you get
involved, and have you seen the finished product? Also, how do you
think others in the industry will respond to an "insiders secrets"
type of publication?
I was approached by the publisher to do this secrets of the masters
book at a convention, which makes me a little more proud of the fact
that I had no prep time or inside chance to put together a pre-planned
dynamite piece. Instead I had to use my ability to produce something
great out of very little right on the spot. As far as the insiders
secrets that comes in a two fold response, first if I can help anyone
to do just one thing to better their own tattooing I am always happy
to help, second as far as giving away secrets, there are hundreds of
seminars out there, but you cant take them home with you, this book
allows you to do just that, take it home and study 10 different and
unique artists. Of course no one knew it would be offered at your
local book store.
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How does the "pursuit of perfection" apply to your tattoo shop? What
do you look for when putting together a team of artists to help you with this?
When I built this shop, just like Big Brain 1, I strived to put
together the absolute best and most functional structure that I could,
using the nicest lay out taking into consideration the comfort of the
clients and most sanitary conditions possible for a studio. My goal in
order to assemble a team of artists was to simply put out the absolute
best work possible, be polite, clean and the most sound artist any
where, and let the artists that fit in to that general structure come
to be here with me. I think that striving to be the best artist
possible can only draw other artists with the same goal.
What do you think tattoo conventions contribute to the industry?
Over the years conventions have changed quite a bit...when I first
started nine years ago they seemed to be a way for artists from all
over to come together and celebrate their work and their business and
their friendships from the last time they were all together at that
show. Conventions have changed to more of a local scene for self
promotion and for promoters to make a paycheck...seems kind of a sad
rendition of rendezvous of the past...but the true artists of this
generation still can take the time to sit and watch more experienced
artists...pick their big brains, and generally try to improve their
abilities, the old way, by actually watching and learning!
You have dominated the "Tattoo of the Day" award at past conventions.
Was that a goal, or is that just the way it happened?
Coming from Nebraska made it very difficult for me showcase my talents
so I started bringing 10-12 different clients to every show for the
sole purpose of getting noticed, that turned into winning a trophy
here and there. From that point I focused all my abilities on every
tattoo so that I had the chance to win a trophy for every piece every
time. The one thing I pride myself on is that I never took the easy
way out and hit the weak little shows, I always tried to stay in the
limelight of the artists I most respected so they would notice my
work, that only happens at the big shows. After a few years of that I
became obsessed with trying to prove my skills and the highest level
of that at a convention is the tattoo of the day awards. So that
became my goal...every show...every day...every tattoo. I still have
the obsession to win, but i think that its more of a pride thing for
the client wearing the tattoo and less for my ever growing collection
of trophies.
What do you do besides tattooing? What is the family life like, and
what are your major pass times? I've heard you have spent time in the
ring fighting. Is that something you are passionate about?
My free time is spent with my beautiful three year old daughter. She is my
obsession; she is my everything. I used to spend my free time doing
some professional MMA fighting, which really kept me busy for a couple of
years, and before that I don't even remember what I did because I
worked seven days a week at the tattoo shop for about four years. I
don't think I had very much free time back then. To be honest I like
it better this way, going to the kids park or to the zoo with my
daughter makes me feel like my life is so much better now than it used
to be.
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