Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Riina.
Hi Mike, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
That’s certainly a very long story!!! I will keep it short and just say that I did my apprenticeship in 2001 and began tattooing in 2002. I’ve been lucky enough to do what I love for 20 years, and in that time own 2 studios. The first, Eclectic Art Tattoo Gallery was formed in 2010 with my friends (the late, GREAT Geary Morrill), and Sean Peters, and the second being my current studio Lionfish Tattoo, which I opened in 2019.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I don’t think most of us are lucky enough to have a smooth, linear career path in life, but I would say my career has grown steadily, year by year. Certainly, a main struggle we face as tattoo artists is to develop a recognizable style and a sizeable client base. I am lucky enough to have both at this stage of my career.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I call what I do “no school black work” (#noschoolblackwork on Instagram). Essentially, I do all black tattoos and try to employ a several different shading techniques I can do. The goal is to have something illustrative, but not really set in any particular blackwork style. That in itself is a thing that perhaps sets me apart from other black workers.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Just starting out? Don’t. We have enough tattoo artists already. Haha just kidding. My advice is to work hard at being a better artist, understand that online promotion of yourself is a necessary evil, and a hustle game, and always be fair and respectful to your clients.
If you do that, and honor tattooing in your heart and life, it will show.
Pricing:
- $200/hr with a 2-hour minimum
Contact Info:
- Email: contactmikeriina@gmail.com
- Website: http://lionfishtattoo.com
- Instagram: @mike_riina
