Artist Highlight
Meet Chris McGuire, Storyville’s Junior Artist
17.11.2024 — Storyville
Welcome to our latest post, where we look into the world of tattoos and the creative minds behind them. In this post, we wanted to (re)introduce you to Chris, our talented junior tattoo artist at Storyville. We’ll be covering his tattooing journey so far, sharing his love for skateboarding and music, and digging into some of his stories. He’s one of the nicest guys in the game, so grab a cup of tea and join us for a chat with Chris.
Can you tell us about your tattooing journey so far?
I came into tattooing a little bit later in life. I’d had a sales rep career previously, that (thankfully) ended and with it, the Sunday evening dread. Making the initial move into the tattoo world was a challenge, it didn’t come easily but I showed up and stayed consistent anyway.
I was 21 when I first met Nick (Horn), and basically, after a lot of research and consultations with various people across various studios, I ended up at Good Times (Nick’s old place of work). In my consultation with Nick, I was blown away by the kind of care, attention to detail, connection and the human side of how he treated me. It was very different to anything else I’d experienced until that point. He struck me as a guy that really cared about people and I kind of knew then that I wanted to be around this person. He makes everyone feel good about themselves. I went on to book my tattoo and when (almost a decade of friendship later) Nick told me about opening up Storyville, a light came on in my head.
At that point in my life, I was having a pretty hard time. The job I was in had become mentally draining and if I’m honest I felt quite lost. I’d put the idea of being a tattoo artist on the back burner. For me, It was something other people did. I don’t really know why, but there was a void between me and it. Luckily, my friends and girlfriend (now wife) were really encouraging and brought home the fact that Nick opening this new spot might be my opportunity.
So, I text Nick asking what the chances were of me learning how to tattoo and after that I pretty much just started turning up. I’m not sure Nick wanted me around at that point, but I started cleaning the floors, making tea, chatting to people and tried to immerse myself in the whole process. In the back of my mind I really wanted to make this into something, but I was also very aware that my friend was starting a business and I wanted to support that, regardless of the final outcome. I’ve been tattooing full-time at Storyville for the past two years!
What initially got you into the idea of tattooing and being in that world?
Like most people, there was a point in my life, a trigger point, that switched me on to everything I am today. That point came in the form of a VHS tape. It was 1999 and I had just started skateboarding and happened to stumble upon Misled Youth by Zero. All of the skateboarders in the film are super interesting people and predominantly heavily tattooed. Seeing this visual representation of a subculture at ten years of age really acted as a trigger for everything that I’m into, and everything I’ve pursued ever since. The video featured some of my (now) favourite bands, Black Flag, Slayer, Black Sabbath etc and I found from that point I started to become more aware of other subcultures.
I watched that VHS until it frayed and broke.
Weirdly, I have another very, very significant memory of watching Blink-182 (we’ve all been there right!?) videos and seeing their tattoos. There was a specific loser kids bunny rabbit that Tom Delong had tattooed. I remember drawing that on myself and thinking that having a tattoo would be the coolest thing. I couldn’t wait to get started on my collection.
You’ve been around the industry for a while now, what are your favourite things about it and what makes you stick around?
I think one of my favourite things is doing that first tattoo for somebody because it’s like, tattooing is this thing that means the world to me, the tattoos, the culture and everything that goes with it and it brings me so much joy that I get to welcome people into that club. It’s a real honour and a special thing to do. There’s so much trust involved from the client’s perspective and you know, being the first one, there’s nerves. So I get to walk them through the whole thing from design and sizing to the actual tattoo and after-care. I always get a little hit of dopamine knowing that when they walk out the door, there’s a new member of the club.
Coming from a sales background really emphasised the importance of customer service and relationship building for me pretty early on and I feel exactly the same when tattooing clients. You can see a lot of ego in the industry, but for me, it boils down to ‘Did the client have a nice time’. That’s the crux of it. Tattoos are cool and you get to keep them forever, but when you look at them, for me anyway, I like remembering the conversations we were having, the music that was playing, all of those things.
That was a really strong motivator for me when it came to spending time in the studio. I wanted to ensure that all of these people coming through the door are having the best possible experience they can have. It’s pretty much a given, especially with the team we have that they’re going to leave with a great tattoo, but it’s the extras. It’s making sure that they feel comfortable, and that they want to spend time with us. Maybe they’re being introduced to new bands they’ve never heard of or perhaps they’re schooling us with different stuff. The extras surrounding a great tattoo are vital.
Taking the time with clients, regardless if it’s their first tattoo or not, is really important. Some people come in super-researched and others come in with no information whatsoever. But taking that time to listen and making sure they get to express themselves makes it easier to get onto the same page. I just try to walk them through the process & keep them at ease. From a customer’s perspective, No one ever wants to feel bullied into something or rushed on a decision like that. I would say If you’re thinking of getting tattooed and you’re feeling a little nervous, just reach out and have a chat. More often than not you’ll be welcomed in by a friendly face. Tattoo studios are definitely not the dingy, dark places they once were.
Your first tattoo experience sounded a little different to most, fill us in!
There’s kind of a couple and the timeline’s a bit hazy – I was young and dumb, I suppose. My first tattoos were very much like, I knew I wanted to get tattooed from an early age, but I had to play the waiting game. I had a big, and unfortunately, sad event that happened in my life that acted like a trigger. My first tattoo was a reaction to this and because of its meaning, my mum couldn’t be against it. A group of 30 of us went down to a local tattoo shop and the guy tattooed us all in one day. I still don’t really understand how he fit us all in. We all got tattoos inside our lips. Looking back it was madness.
Do you have any tattoos that you feel have changed you or have had an impact?
The tattoo that has had the most impact on me, that I wasn’t expecting, is one on my stomach by a friend of mine, Aaron Clapham. I didn’t realise how self-conscious I was about having a bit of a wobbly belly. Growing up, all of my fellow skateboarders seemed to have six-packs and I never did. It always played on my mind. Aaron did a large eagle piece on my stomach and since then, I’m the first guy to take my t-shirt off. It’s given me so much more body confidence and it’s been super powerful.
It’s also made me more empathetic to people who have gone through body issues or major surgery and want a tattoo to cover or put emphasis on scars or a specific area of their body. Whatever makes people feel good is great in my books. Aaron also spent a few sweaty summer sessions in my armpits. That was tough going. Mostly for Aaron!
What does your style & creative process look like?
It’s really open. I do like to be led by the client. They might come to the studio with a fully-fledged idea, the beginnings of something or even just a few reference shots. It’s great to work collaboratively with someone and I feel like designing everything solo is not essential for me to still enjoy the process. At the end of the day, it’s really about what the client wants and guiding them through it.
The profile of a tattoo client is always changing, from 18-year-old kids getting their first one to women in their 70s and 80’s, which has really cemented the fact that I love how open my job is, how great it is to work with such a variety of people and that I consistently get a boost from making sure every person that comes by has a great time. The people I surround myself with in tattooing are, luckily for me, super talented and have really put the work in over the years. And it shows in what they’re putting out there. Everyone is open to different stuff and trying new things, regardless of their personal tastes. I really admire it.
Who/where/what are your current influences & inspirations?
So Nick is definitely right up there. He has a temperament and a way with people that goes beyond tattooing. Surrounding yourself with people like that makes you want to be a better person, it’s invaluable.
There are a few constants, like the old-school aesthetic. I love it and I definitely fit into those boxes; I skateboard, I listen to hardcore music and I like optical tattoos. I really love a Sailor Jerry Rose, the same way I love going to a straight-edge hardcore show in a grotty venue, the same as I love Slappy grinding a curb. It’s pretty simple stuff but all of those things bring me equal amounts of joy and endless inspiration. I definitely get stoked when people come in and want something more traditional and old-school, that style and those designs have always been cool. Like you see an old guy at the pub or something, and they’re covered in different bits, they always look like great storytellers.
In terms of other artists, again it’s quite old school, but Bert Krak, and Chad Koeplinger with those bold lines and colours. Very into high-contrast shading and stuff. I’ve also been quite taken by Australian tattooing recently. There are a few shops out in Melbourne that I follow, a shop called Carlisle Tattoo Co. Hal & Bella Hunter are the main tattooers there. I love their approach, execution, and everything else. Wick Collins is also exceptional. I was lucky enough to be tattooed by him on my last trip out to Australia. The way he shades, the lines, everything. That’s what I want my tattoos to look like.
Outside of tattooing (along with skateboarding, tattooing and music), cycling has become a huge part of my life. It has helped me with my mental health over the years and I try to do it every day. It engages a part of my brain that makes me feel like a kid again. Yeah, I might be in Lycra and I might have a fancy carbon bike but I’m still going to bunny hop off of a curb. The self-propulsion of getting from A to B under your own steam is such a great feeling too. More recently, I’ve gotten into climbing, and bouldering specifically. It helps a lot with the physical side of things as I generally spend my day hunched over in weird positions. Getting on the wall and being able to stretch out is amazing and we’re lucky to have some amazing spots in London.
Every day in the studio must look different, do you have any stand-out shop stories?
Nick tattooing a guy’s butthole. Seeing that is the most unique experience I’ve had in my life, let alone the studio. I think it took around two days to finish. The first day I was around for the whole thing. I mean talking about that makes me feel a little basic to some degree, but I think that represents one of the most beautiful things about tattooing, the ‘let’s do it’ culture. Everybody has their own take, everybody has their own vision if you want to do something perhaps seen as a little out there and the tattoo artist is down. It’s great to be a part of.
What’s on the cards next?
It’s been a weird one because I set myself this goal of becoming a full-time tattoo artist and being able to pay all of my bills and live my life, and I’ve achieved that. My next big thing is getting married, it’s been a busy year and I haven’t really had much time to think about ‘what’s next’. I’d love to get fully established in London, and be consistent in the area. I’d always want to keep Storyville going because I really think we’ve all built a very special thing here and I’m proud to be part of it. Guest spots would potentially be my next thing to look at, luckily I have lots of friends in great parts of the world. Meeting different people, having new experiences and diversifying every now and again is what it’s all about!
Finally, Do you have any spots you’d recommend for people visiting Storyville and planning to spend some time in the city?
Food
Mexican food is where it’s at. One of my favourite spots is in Peckham Rye Station, they’re called Cravings La Corretta. They serve tacos, burritos, street food etc and it’s got a cool atmosphere, pretty basic but exactly what I want and need from this type of place. The food is incredible, the people are lovely and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Dark Arts Coffee is another one of my London favourites. It’s up in Hackney, so a bit further out than us. The coffee is excellent, the staff are cool and they do a lot of cool stuff, including merch. I’m a bit of a hoarder when it comes to stickers, pin badges etc but that’s a whole other blog.
I don’t want to seem like a one-trick pony and just recommend another Mexican place, but I’m going to. There’s a place in Balham called 1910 Cantina. It’s more of a Mezcal bar in style. The tacos and snacks are insane, and the atmosphere is really nice. More of a date spot for sure.
Music
So my number one favourite music venue I’ve ever been to anywhere is… The Underworld in Camden. It is gross, sticky and smells weird. The staff are grumpy. The stage is tiny. There are annoying pillars in the way of your view sometimes. It’s not a nice experience, but that’s the kind of experience that I’m looking for.
Closer to Storyville is a place called the New Cross Inn. It’s been pushing a lot of hardcore shows recently and supporting the scene both locally and on an international level, which is great to see from a tiny pub venue.
And then there’s the Brixton Academy. I’ve got so many insane memories of growing up and being at this venue. I moved to London when I was 18 and used to skate at Stockwell a lot, with Brixton Academy pretty much next door. A bunch of my friends were working at a bike shop nearby and we’d always skate together, chuck our bikes in the back of the shop and head over to watch a show. I’ve seen some of the best bands ever there. Motorhead, Slayer, Anthrax, the first time I saw The Descendants was there. So many great memories. I know it’s a large, more commercial venue but even now every time I step in there I get excited.
Spots
Finally, there are two spots in London that I’d recommend to anyone visiting Storyville or the city. First off is Waterloo Bridge. My wife and I absolutely love walking over the bridge because the view is epic. You can look in any direction and you get this crazy snapshot of London and all the things that people expect from the city. For me, it’s a really humbling experience, like we get to live and work in this place that people constantly travel the world to see. The Second is Richmond Park. Most London Cyclists will be rolling their eyes at this but, I really love it. It’s ten minutes from my house and it honestly feels like you’re entering Narnia. It’s a massive green space, there’s deer everywhere and it’s beautiful. We’re so lucky to have all of these public (mostly green) spaces in London.
Avoid Oxford Street at all costs.
Follow Chris on @chrismcguiretattoo and @storyvilletattoo