Understanding What You Want
I start by listening. You can bring reference images, a collection of ideas, or a general direction. We discuss what matters most to you and how it might work as a tattoo.
Los Angeles / Tattoo Artist / Since 2002
About Rinat Tattarin Mingazdinov
The Artist Behind the Work
I'm a tattoo artist based in Los Angeles. I've been tattooing since April 2002, and what keeps me interested is the same thing that drew me to tattooing in the first place: turning an idea into something that works on the human body.
01 / WHO I AM
More Than One Style
I work in several tattoo styles, including Japanese, realism, biomechanical, bioorganic, black and grey, and color tattoos. I also take on large-scale cover-up projects.
I don't like restricting an idea just because it doesn't fit neatly into one category. Sometimes a realistic subject works better with graphic elements. Sometimes a Japanese-inspired composition needs a different approach to color or background.
What matters to me is how the whole piece comes together. I want the composition to have a clear structure, the details to support the main idea, and the tattoo to look natural on the body.
These days, I focus on larger projects: full sleeves, back pieces, chest tattoos, and compositions that connect multiple areas of the body. I book full-day sessions because these projects deserve enough time to develop properly.
02 / MY STORY
How It Started
April 2002
I didn't start with a perfect plan.
I've always liked drawing, but for a long time I didn't know what I wanted to do with it. At one point, I saw the tattoo George Clooney had in the movie From Dusk Till Dawn. That image stayed with me. I wanted to try making something like it.
My first experience with tattooing was a long way from what I do today. I was learning everything from scratch, working with very limited equipment and trying to understand how drawing translated onto skin.
The result was far from perfect, but I knew I wanted to continue. What began as curiosity gradually became my profession.
Over the years, I worked with different techniques, explored new influences, met artists who changed the way I thought about tattooing, and developed my own approach to composition.
03 / INFLUENCES
Learning, Experimenting, Finding My Own Direction
Early in my career, I was fascinated by dark tattoo art. The work of Paul Booth, Guy Aitchison, and the visual world of H.R. Giger opened up possibilities I hadn't considered.
Alexander Gorshkov, an artist from Tomsk, was one of my first mentors and an important part of those early years.
Later, artists such as Dmitry Samokhin inspired me to explore color, detail, and different approaches to realism. Other influences encouraged me to simplify compositions and think more carefully about what an image actually needs.
I still enjoy learning from artists with very different styles. The goal isn't to imitate their work. It's to keep finding new ways to approach my own.
04 / MY JOURNEY
From My First Tattoo to Los Angeles
2002
The Beginning
I gave my first tattoo in April 2002. It was the beginning of a long process of learning, practicing, and discovering the possibilities of tattoo art.
2008
First Convention Recognition
My work received recognition at the Siberian Tattoo Festival. Tattoo conventions eventually became an important part of my professional life.
LA
Working in Los Angeles
Today I'm based in Los Angeles, where I focus on large-scale tattoos and work with clients who want to develop complete, carefully planned compositions.
05 / MY APPROACH
A good tattoo isn't just a strong image. It's a composition that makes sense on the body.
Rinat Tattarin Mingazdinov
06 / WORKING TOGETHER
01 / THE IDEA
02 / THE COMPOSITION
03 / THE SESSIONS
How I Approach a Tattoo Project
Designing for the Body
I consider placement, proportions, movement, and the way different elements connect. A good composition needs to work from different angles, not only as a flat drawing.
Giving the Work Enough Time
I book full-day tattoo sessions. Large pieces may require several appointments, depending on their scale, detail, and complexity. We discuss the scope in advance.
07 / EXPERIENCE
Experience, Recognition, and Trust
24+
Years of Tattooing
I've been tattooing since April 2002, and I still enjoy the creative challenges of the work.
~40
Tattoo Conventions
I've participated in and attended approximately 40 conventions around the world.
5,000+
Clients
Over the years, I've worked with more than 5,000 people, each bringing different ideas and expectations.
International Tattoo Awards
Some of my tattoos have received awards at international tattoo conventions, including recognition for Japanese work, realism, biomechanical tattoos, and other competition categories.
I appreciate the recognition, but the work itself remains the most important part. Each tattoo has to stand on its own, regardless of whether it's ever entered into a competition.
08 / MY WORK
The Kind of Projects I Enjoy
I prefer tattoos that give me enough room to develop an idea. Full sleeves, back pieces, and other large-scale compositions allow me to combine subjects, backgrounds, and details into something cohesive.
I'm comfortable working across different styles and enjoy projects that call for a mix of artistic approaches.
Japanese Tattoos
Traditional imagery, bold subjects, and compositions that follow the body's natural lines.
Explore Japanese Work →Biomechanical & Bioorganic
Machinery, organic forms, surreal textures, and anatomy-driven compositions.
Explore Biomechanical Work →Realism & Portraits
Realistic subjects, expressive detail, and compositions in both color and black and grey.
Explore Realism Work →Large-Scale Cover-Ups
Carefully planned transformations that use a new composition to work with an existing tattoo.
Explore Cover-Ups →
09 / LOS ANGELES
Working With Me in Los Angeles
I'm based at Monna Lissa Tattoo Studio in Westwood, Los Angeles.
I work by appointment and focus on larger tattoo projects. Consultations are free and can take place online or in person.
You don't need to arrive with a finished design. The first step is simply to tell me what you're thinking about.
Free Consultation
We discuss your idea, placement, design direction, and the general scope of the project.
Response Within 1–3 Business Days
I usually reply to consultation requests within 1–3 business days.
Deposit Required
A deposit is required to secure your tattoo appointment. We'll discuss the details during the consultation.
Design Preparation
I usually prepare the design 1–2 weeks before the scheduled tattoo session.
Full-Day Tattoo Sessions
I work in full-day sessions for large-scale projects. Some tattoos require multiple appointments.
10 / START YOUR PROJECT
Book a Free Consultation
Have an Idea for a Large Tattoo?
Tell me what you have in mind, where you'd like the tattoo, and what kind of imagery or style you're drawn to.
We can work out the details together. The consultation is free, and I usually respond within 1–3 business days.