Ask Chris how he got into tattooing and he’ll probably tell you something like it was just a cool thing to do or “Harley’s, Dames, and Rock n Roll”. The truth is he has been an artist his whole life.

Chris Clark was born in Atlanta, GA in 1973, the only boy in five children. He was always drawing on something; walls, toys, the sidewalks, etc. As far back as 1st grade, he would regularly get into trouble for drawing during class, mostly monsters and cars (along the lines of Rat Fink).

In high school, punk rock became a relevant part of life and it was album cover style art for while with the obligatory skateboarder image thrown in. And then it happened, a friend had made a tattoo machine using a Bic pen, toothbrush, guitar string (for a needle) with a racetrack car motor and some batteries. “I was almost sleeved out with punk rocker tattoos before I was 18”, laughs Chris.

Honing his skills after high school at the Art Instruction Schools in Minnesota, he received his bachelor’s degree in the Arts through Canterbury University in 1992.

The professional career in tattooing didn’t happen until 1997, when famed portrait artist, Tony Olivas of Sacred Heart in Atlanta offered Chris an apprenticeship. During this time, he worked closely with Tom Depriest (another very talented portrait/realism artist). In 2002, he relocated to Savannah, GA and worked at Smiling Buddha Studio before relocating to Nashville and opening Kustom Thrills.

He has worked over 30 conventions and won many awards including Prick 2005 Best Small Black & Grey, Best Back Piece at Inked Up 2007, 2nd Place Best traditional at Full Moon Tattoo Convention 2008, 2nd Place Small B&G and 2nd Place Small Color (Chattanooga 2008), 2nd Place B&G Flash at Chattanooga 2009, and 3rd Place Best in Show at Jacksonville 2009. His expertise has been quoted in various media outlets and published in industry magazines on a regular basis.

Chris is a member of the Alliance of Professional Tattooists and the National Tattooist Association. He is a Freemason and a Shriner, he served four years immediately after 911 as a 2LT for the State Guard, and is currently a member of the American legion.

Chris’ main body of work is concentrated on Realism Black & Grey, but he enjoys working in other styles like color and traditional. He can be found most days working at his studio in Nashville, by appointment only.

Recent Tattoos

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Recent Original Art

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