We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rinat Mingazdinov a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Rinat, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
It’s been a very long journey, especially considering that I never imagined this would become my main career. Let me explain in more detail.
When I was 16, I first thought about trying to tattoo someone. The desire came after I saw George Clooney in From Dusk Till Dawn. At that time, it was difficult to find anyone who could help me with this. It was 2002, and there was very little information available online. Eventually, I found a guy named Sasha “Gorshok,” who already had some skills and experience. A big thanks to him, and may he rest in peace. We connected on a deep level, and he showed me how to put together a makeshift tattoo machine from an electric razor or a motor and a pen. He explained how to sharpen the needle, and I began experimenting. After a while, we connected with someone who was making coil tattoo machines, and things got even more interesting. So the main obstacles back then were the lack of information and quality equipment. Nowadays, that’s no longer a problem—YouTube and Amazon make everything accessible.
The next big challenge came when I realized I lacked the skills to draw what I wanted. To be comfortable in the tattooing process, an artist needs solid drawing skills, and an academic background in art really helps improve quality and speed. I realized this about six years in, as I hadn’t taken tattooing seriously yet. For me, it was just fun, surrounded by friends, and I loved that. But I took drawing lessons from a teacher at Tomsk University, which really improved my drawing skills and boosted my confidence.
In 2008, I attended my first tattoo festival in Novosibirsk, Art dicTATTOOra, and I realized tattooing is an entire world with its own rules. If you want to become a successful artist, you need to change your attitude toward the craft. That’s when a new chapter in my tattoo career began. I started going to many tattoo festivals, where my work received awards, and I became part of this community. It became a part of me.
Finally, I’ll say that there’s no limit to perfection; you always have to keep developing, stay active, and motivate yourself to keep growing.
Rinat, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
As I’ve mentioned before, I had a pretty challenging journey. I’m from a small Siberian city called Tomsk. In 2002, I became deeply interested in tattoos, and my life began to change for the better—I found my calling! I started a studio where I gathered the best tattoo artists from nearby cities. Over the years, I’ve learned practically everything there is to know about tattooing, and I’ve become an experienced artist with extensive knowledge.
Since 2012, I’ve been traveling to major European tattoo conventions, earning over 40 awards at international festivals in Europe, America, and Russia. During this time, I honed my skills in various styles, excelling in both black and gray and color tattoos. In 2024, I moved to the United States and continued striving for success here. After attending my first tattoo festivals in Phoenix and Austin, I won “Best of Show” at both events.
I get along easily with most clients, and most importantly, they all leave satisfied. Come and see for yourself!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Absolutely. The first thing that comes to mind is tattoo conventions. When I started attending them, I gained everything I needed—connections, experience, recognition, friends, motivation. At that time, it was the best boost I could have gotten. I have a strong competitive spirit, and I love the vibe of tattoo festivals.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Yes, absolutely. I really enjoy the results of experimenting with AI. It would have been great if I had started working with it as soon as it first appeared. There’s a lot to learn from AI, and I especially like how it combines the incompatible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Rinattattarin.com
- Instagram: @rinattattarin
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rinattattarin?mibextid=LQQJ4d
