Let’s welcome our new guest, Rinat Mingazdinov. Inspired by legends of the tattoo industry, he walked his way from working in a garage to a studio in LA. “I did my first tattoo on a drunk guy using homemade equipment in a garage. The needle was a guitar string, and instead of paper towels, I used a handkerchief”. Let’s dive in his journey!
Why did you decide to become a tattoo artist?
I’ve always been drawn to art and loved to draw, but I didn’t know how to apply it. Initially, I rejected the idea of attending art schools my parents wanted to send me to, which I now regret. The turning point came when I watched the movie “From Dusk Till Dawn” and saw George Clooney’s tattoo. I realized I wanted to make a tattoo like that, either for myself or for someone else. I told my friends about it, and I got my first willing client. That’s when I understood what form of visual art resonated with me and started getting into it.
Who were the most significant mentors for you, and whom did you look up to?
When I was starting out and looking for tattoo references online, I was deeply impressed by Paul Booth’s work. At that time, I was just learning to draw a straight line on human skin, and my sketches were primitive—Latin inscriptions and the like. Then I discovered the world of dark tattoo art: demons, skulls, and gloom, all tattooed on cool rock musicians. I was fascinated. Guy Aitchison and H.R. Giger further immersed me in this darkness.
The next significant influence came much later with the works of Dmitry Samokhin, which pushed me into the world of color tattoos. I tried to achieve the same level of detail and vision on human skin. Then came Alex Pancho, who simplified his designs. Gradually, I found my own balance.
The greatest influence on my tattoo career was Alexander Gorshkov (RIP) from Tomsk, the biggest Slayer fan ever. He would offer to do tattoos for free, but only his own designs, which were always Slayer logos. Many of the girls he tattooed didn’t even know what band it was. My first mentor, he was both a genius and a madman.
Can you tell us the story of your first tattoo and how it influenced your career?
Oh, it was a disaster. I did my first tattoo on a drunk guy using homemade equipment in a garage. The needle was a guitar string, and instead of paper towels, I used a handkerchief. I didn’t even have gloves. The drawing turned out terrible, but we were overjoyed. And I wanted more.
How has the tattoo industry changed since you started, and where do you see it going in the next few years?
Everything has become much easier. The equipment is top-notch now, designed for the artist’s convenience. You don’t need to know which way to turn the screw on a coil machine for better performance, and you don’t have to solder needles yourself anymore. The ability to transfer images onto skin has also freed up a lot of time for artists. AI is providing new perspectives on sketch preparation if you know how to use it properly. Social media offers limitless possibilities for promoting tattoo artists. Nowadays, you can get a tattoo kit for $1000 and start working at the push of a button. This ease of access has brought fierce competition.
As an ambassador for major tattoo equipment manufacturers, what trends do you foresee in the industry? How soon do you think a tattoo artist could be replaced by an AI-equipped printer?
Equipment is becoming lighter and more autonomous, with manufacturers considering every inch of the artist’s workspace. However, AI will not replace a live tattoo artist anytime soon. I’ve seen some tattoo printers, and although they look ridiculous now, I understand it’s just the beginning. But it will take a long time before robots replace tattoo artists. The human body is not a flat, predictable piece of paper. It’s a living being that twitches, breathes, and has muscle contractions from pain. I imagine a printer that can fix itself onto the body, move around, and adapt to muscle contractions. Initially, it will assist with transferring sketches onto skin, working alongside tattoo artists, and only later will it start replacing them as it becomes more advanced.
You have participated in and won numerous international tattoo conventions. Which event stands out to you the most, and why?
I’ve attended 30 tattoo conventions and won 40 awards. The Siberian Tattoo Festival will always hold a special place in my heart for its soulfulness and atmosphere. The Moscow Tattoo Festival, led by Pavel Angel, also gave me a lot of great experiences and wonderful connections. My favorite European convention is in Zwickau, Germany, with a very high level of organization. In a couple of months, I’ll be touring American tattoo conventions in Phoenix (Arizona), the All Stars Tattoo Convention in Miami, and participating in New York in October.
What are the main challenges you face as a tattoo artist in a competitive environment like Los Angeles?
There is very high competition since most tattoo artists try to come to LA. But Los Angeles is a city of influencers, and working with them has always brought me the best results. So, you’ll soon see my work on the Instagram accounts of your favorite influencers.
Have you tattooed any celebrities?
Yes, and some have even tattooed me. Shout out to Noize MC. I’ve tattooed musicians from the legendary band Psychea (Психея) from Saint Petersburg; they create absolutely cosmic music, listen to them if you’re curious about the soundtrack of UFO’s taking over our planet, really looking forward to their US tour. In Los Angeles, I did a tattoo for Sarah Thawer, dedicated to her endless love for drumming. Sarah, you super!
Which celebrities would you like to tattoo, and what designs do you envision for them?
I don’t understand why most public figures have terrible tattoos. I can only explain it by their lack of time to fix the tattoos they got in their youth. Many celebrities need cover-ups, and I could do a great job with that. But it’s better to start with a good tattoo from the beginning. If you’re a celebrity, text me, and I’ll give you a cool tattoo.
What advice would you give to those who want to start a professional tattoo career today? Should they rely on your experience?
The most important thing is to learn how to draw if you want to achieve something. Don’t rely on my experience—it’s a new reality now, and you need to build your own story.
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