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CHRISTIAN MASOT
by Geoffrey Stephenson
Photos courtesy of Christian Masot
From the December 2005 issue of Prick Magazine.
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 Christian Masot. |
 Tattoos by Christian Masot. |
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How long have you been tattooing?
I've been tattooing now for just about seven years.
How did you get your start in the biz?
What can I say that hasn't been said before about getting started in tattooing. I always loved to draw, my dad was an artist. Right around the end of high school, I put together my first set of flash. I used to rip around New Jersey selling it from shop to shop, between delivering pizzas and skating. Finally when I decided that I seriously wanted to do this for a living, I went to the New York City Tattoo Convention, found an empty table and made it my booth. I laid my shit out and started selling it. People seemed to like it, and this guy Joey asked me if I wanted a job. That's when I started my apprenticeship.
Who are some of your influences?
There are so many incredible artists out there right now, but I'd say that my main influences are Eric Merrill, Joe Capobianco, my boy Brandon Bond, Jon Clue, Horiyoshi and all the traditional Japanese tattoo artists.
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How do you feel about the emergence of tattooers in the fine arts over the past few years?
I am really into the whole fine arts movement amongst tattoo artists. The amount of talent in the industry right now is intense. As an artist, when you get inspired to create something you have to get it out. We all get to put our own twists on each piece that we do, but there's nothing like complete control from start to finish. Usually we get creative license within the realm of the client's idea. For example, if someone tells me they want a koi, and they’re leaving it up to me to fully design it, then I’m psyched and I love doing it. But they might still limit me in some ways because I’m still being commissioned to do what someone else wants. I think that a lot of artists are really getting more involved in fine arts as a way of getting out all of the pent up creativity that we have inside us. Being able to paint or sculpt or whatever when the inspiration hits you is our gift. It’s great to see that a lot of people are taking advantage of it.
How important do you think it is for a tattooer to evolve his style?
I think that if you can't evolve and grow into a style that's your own, then you’re going to wind up doing flash for the rest of your life. Nobody walks into a shop and says give me a hump ass tattoo. Everyone wants their artist to be at the top of his or her game. They're not looking for someone to put the same thing on them that they've been doing on other people for the last five years. Even if you're doing butterflies for a whole week, you have to make sure that each one is equally solid but respectively different. You have to show diversity and knowledge on how to approach everything that comes in the door. If you're not constantly pushing yourself, or just doing this to pay the bills, then get a nine-to-five. People are trusting us with their bodies. Imagine if doctors never pushed themselves.
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How much traveling do you do?
Right now I do about four conventions a year. I stay pretty local to New Jersey, but I'm at the point where I really want to start spreading out a lot more and doing more shows and guest spots across the country. I think it's inspirational to work around artists that you don’t normally work with. To me, there's no better way to learn new stuff. Plus I'm always down to meet cool people. I'm also starting to do some guest spots which are a lot of fun. A change of scenery is nice sometimes you just have to get out of the shop to keep your sanity.
What is your favorite part about being a tattoo artist?
I love doing the big color bombs, but I like the technical aspect of grey shading too. I can't say which I like better. I take it as it comes, I just love this job. Right now I'm really into the Neo-Japanese flare, but I like doing anything that's interesting.
I love experimenting with different aspects of tattoos; composition perspective, color, that's what it's all about. Anytime that somebody challenges me to do something that they have in their head, I want to make it look even better that what they’re thinking. Seeing their face when they look at it in the mirror is sick. I love that feeling.
What do you like to do outside of tattooing?
If I'm not tattooing, then I'm probably painting, drawing or snowboarding. I love Martial Arts, Xbox ... just having good times.
Any future plans?
As far as the future is concerned, I definitely want to have my own shop one day. But in reality, I'm in no rush to put just any other shop on the streets. When the time comes I'll know it and hopefully I will put together something special.
We're working on christianmasot.com, which will be up soon. I'm also getting a T-shirt label started. For now, come visit me at Silk City anytime. My doors are always open. God bless and be well.
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Christian Masot can be found in Hawthorne, NJ at Silk City Tattoo located at:
Silk City Tattoo
7 Garfield Ave
Hawthorne, NJ 07506
973.238.9167
For more info on Christian Masot, visit www.silkcitytattoo.com.
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