Rich Cseri
Published June 2008
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Dave Muller: How long have you been tattooing for and how did you get into it?
Rich Cseri: I’ve been tattooing for a little over 16 years now. I was 9 years old when I read an article on Lyle Tuttle, and I was blown away. I knew then that tattooing was what I wanted to do. I was always drawing on something, someone, or in my school books. It festered in my head until I was 19 and I finally had the cash to buy an autoclave and my “starter” equipment from Spaulding and Rogers. Yes, I was a guy that started in my kitchen. You have to understand, getting an apprenticeship back then wasn’t as easy as it is today, believe me, I tried. I talked to Doc Finn of Doc Finn’s Ancient Arts in South Elgin, IL, and he gave me some pointers that helped a lot. Now, I’m not suggesting that everyone run out and buy starter kits. I educated myself first on sterilization and cross contamination, so I was being safe. Once I started, I met and was getting tattooed by Rick Harnowski of Green Bay, WI. We discussed me apprenticing under him, but that didn’t pan out. So I just stuck to it, and did it.
Dave Muller: How would you describe yourself?
Rich Cseri: That’s a hard question to answer. I’m creative. I’m a family man, with a wife of 16 years and two beautiful daughters. I’m not super social, I like to be alone and draw. I love music and I’ll be a metalhead till the day I die. I absolutely love tattooing, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Maybe this question would be best answered by my therapist.
Dave Muller: Therapist?
Rich Cseri: Just kidding.
Dave Muller: What styles do you like to do?
Rich Cseri: I love doing just about everything, and I take pride in the fact that I can do just about every style. I prefer doing evil black and gray, but I also love doing big Asian color work. I’ll also never say to anyone, “Sorry, I don’t do that anymore.” I’m a tattoo artist, I’ll do anything. I’ll never forget that it’s a huge honor to put anything on someone’s skin for the rest of their life, even if it’s just a tribal armband or lower back piece. The trust that the customer’s give me is amazing.
Dave Muller: Are there any other artists that you look to for inspiration?
Rich Cseri: That’s an easy one. Recently, I’ve been inspired by Shige of Japan. Others would be Guy Aitchison, Bob Tyrrell, Jack Rudy, Brian Everett, Jeff Gogue and Nikko Hurtado. I could go on and on. There are so many great artists out there, raising the bar. Tattooing right now is very inspiring.
Dave Muller: Do you work in any other mediums?
Rich Cseri: Sadly... no, but that’s going to change soon. Right now, I don’t do any other art, other than tattooing. I draw for tattoos and tattoo, that’s it. I do want to start painting though.
Dave Muller: What do you like most about being a tattoo artist?
Rich Cseri: I love being able to be me, and not have to wear a suit or conform to impress people. I love the creativity that’s involved. I love watching someone come in terrified and walk out standing a bit taller because they did something they were afraid to do.
Dave Muller: How do you think the industry has changed since you started?
Rich Cseri: It’s definitely become more popular, and more acceptable, which is cool. There’s a small part of me that wishes it would go back to being just for the misunderstood, misfit kids.
Dave Muller: What do you see in your future?
Rich Cseri: I want to start doing different forms of art, but I’ll never stop tattooing. I never really look that far ahead, I just enjoy today for today. Who knows what’s going to happen tomorrow. All I want everyday is to laugh so hard that I can’t breathe, spend time with my family, and tattoo.
Written by: Dave Muller
Photos courtesy of: Rich Cseri
Copyright ©2008 By The Intense Media Group. All Rights Reserved.
