Cris Element Interview

Credit: Jessica Sarah
[interview_id][/interview_id][interview_q]Hey Cris! You were great on season 5 of Ink Masters… Tell me what you’ve been up to since. [/interview_q][interview_a]Thanks! It’s been crazy. I’ve gotten a lot of recognition since the show and am currently working on many side projects. I’ll also be at a few more east coast conventions this year and plan to hit up the west coast next year. I’m currently working on prints, t-shirts, and even my own bow tie designs![/interview_a][interview_id][/interview_id][interview_q]That’s right, your signature! But where is your bow tie today? [/interview_q][interview_a]You caught me on an off day. You know, I didn’t even know how to tie a bow tie when the show started. If you watch episode one you can tell it’s crooked. I sent my wedding photo in to the producers last minute, and they asked to run with it. So every episode, it was bow ties and suspenders.[/interview_a][interview_id][/interview_id][interview_q]Rumor has it that your Bow-Tie was inspired by Dr. Who’s “Dr. Max Smith”….. is there any truth to that scuttle-bug?[/interview_q][interview_a]Lol. I’m honestly not sure about that one. I wasn’t officially told it was, but if it was because of him I would like to thank him for it! I am eternally grateful![/interview_a][interview_id][/interview_id][interview_q]Congratulations on making it to the top 5! Do you feel you were accurately portrayed on the show?[/interview_q][interview_a]Thanks! I definitely learned a lot about myself and came out of it a stronger artist. The publicity has been positive and I feel like I exited the show on a good note. What you don’t see is how isolated we are. You can’t leave and are surrounded by strangers, so it can feel hostile. As the competition intensified, I dove into focusing on my work and succeeding at each challenge.[/interview_a][interview_id][/interview_id][interview_q]How do you feel your style of tattooing has evolved? [/interview_q][interview_a]I came into the competition focused on color realism – but found myself gravitating towards neo traditional… and just solid, clean tattoos. [/interview_a][interview_id][/interview_id][interview_q]Have there been any specific tattoo artists from Ink Master, (or in general), that you particularly enjoyed catching up with?[/interview_q][interview_a]It’s always a pleasure seeing Halo from season 4 [of Ink Master]. I have been a fan of his work even before the show, so it’s always great running into him. He’s such a down to earth, humble artist who is extremely talented. I love running into other past members. We all have somewhat of an unspoken bond that we share and respect for each other, knowing what we went through on the show. Well, at least that’s how I feel toward past seasons and future seasons.[/interview_a][interview_id][/interview_id][interview_q]Have you been able to execute any particular pieces of work during this convention that you feel are demonstrative of your own specific style as a tattoo artist?[/interview_q][interview_a]I’ve been able to do the style I was known for before the show, which is realism, and the style I am working on after the show, which is neo-traditional. [/interview_a][interview_id][/interview_id][interview_q]Do you have any preference between tattooing “on the spot” at conventions, and working out of your own home-base shop?[/interview_q][interview_a]I love doing conventions with my own appointments; I feel more at ease knowing exactly what I am doing and preparing mentally for it. Although Ink Master did give me the experience of creating on the spot, it was very stressful to do a tattoo that way.[/interview_a][interview_id][/interview_id][interview_q]Is there anything about you, as an artist or individual, that you would like to convey, which you have not been asked before?[/interview_q][interview_a]I think those that truly know me would say I’m a funny person. I have always been the class clown and love to make people laugh. I wish they would’ve been able to show more of that side of me on the show. I try not to take myself too seriously, and be as nice to each and every person who wants to talk, ask questions, or take pictures.[/interview_a][interview_id][/interview_id][interview_q]And where can one find you tattooing?[/interview_q][interview_a]I split my time between Leathernecks Tattoo in South Slope Brooklyn and Bulls-Eye Tattoo on Staten Island. [/interview_a][interview_id][/interview_id][interview_q]Awesome, Cris. We’ll have to check it out. Thanks for talking with 247INK MAG! [/interview_q][interview_a][/interview_a]

You can follow Cris on Instagram @Cris_Element