Eric Lynn
Published May 2008
View Page 1
Return to Featured Artists
Return to Main Page

Dave Muller: How long have you been tattooing and how did you get into it?

Eric Lynn: Well, it’s been 10 years this past March. I actually went to college to get my Bachelors Degree in Science from the University of Illinois. I was going to become a veterinarian, but after working for some clinics, I realized that I didn’t want to be a vet. Since I was good at two things, art and science, I sought out an apprenticeship and kept it going from there.

Dave Muller: How did your parents take that news?

Eric Lynn: I was blessed enough to have my parents put me through college, so when it came time to tell my dad that I wanted to be a tattoo artist instead of a vet, I realized that I needed to find a public place that serves booze. So, I brought my dad there and we ordered a couple of beers and a few shots of whiskey. My dad wanted to know what this was all about, and why I brought him there, so I said, “How would you feel about me being a tattoo artist instead of a vet?” My dad told the bartender to “leave the f***ing bottle of whiskey. Up until that point, I never heard him swear like that.

Dave Muller: What does he think now?

Eric Lynn: I gave him his one and only tattoo when he was 56, and he’s really proud of it. He won’t get another one, but now he regrets not sending me to art school. I tell him not to regret it, because the experiences that I’ve had in my life made me who I am today.

Dave Muller: How would you describe your style? What kinds of tattoos do you like to do?

Eric Lynn: I like doing stuff that makes you think, reproductions of fine art, Celtic knot work, impossible geometric designs, and stuff with no black lines. I kind of dig that, that’s my preference. It makes it softer and allows you to use more color. If you want things to look like a photo, like a flower, there’s usually not much black in it, so you can’t really use black if you want to keep it true to its nature. Every artist sees things differently, that’s why there are so many styles. I’m not saying anything is right or wrong, it’s just the way I see things. I just like to have fun with it.

Dave Muller: I’ve heard that you don’t use a conventional machine anymore.

Eric Lynn: I use pneumatic machines. For me, I see it as the logical next step in the evolution of tattoo machines. They’re lightweight, about 4 oz, and your range of motion is not restricted by the weight of a heavy machine running off the back of your hand. There is an adjustment period, when you first switch, but as long as you stick with it and ask questions from the supplier that you bought it from, you’ll get there. The machines are fully autoclavable, and run either as a liner or shader depending on the p.s.i. you’re using. I like them, I think they’re great.

Dave Muller: Have you noticed any trends in the industry lately?

Eric Lynn: A lot of people are getting stars right now, all kinds of stars in all different places on their bodies. It’s like how butterflies and kanji were popular in past years. A mildly disturbing trend... o.k. maybe a little more than mildly, is what we have dubbed the “mankini” tattoo. Boys getting tattoos in their groin area. I don’t know who’s to blame for that, maybe Justin Timberlake? More of those tattoos have happened in the past 4 months than in the entire time I’ve been tattooing. I’m not going to tell someone what they can’t get and where, but why there? Are they all underwear models?

Dave Muller: What do you see in your future?

Eric Lynn: I just plan to keep tattooing for as long as I can. There’s always new stuff to learn. I know I don’t know everything, and as soon as I hear someone claim that they do, I’m the first to run away.

Written by: Dave Muller
Photos courtesy of: Liberty Tat2

Copyright ©2008 By The Intense Media Group. All Rights Reserved.