SONNY BALTIN

I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and lived there until I was about 10. Then we moved to California, which is where I lived until I joined the Army. The military brought me to the east coast and stationed me at Ft. Bragg, NC. I left the military in 2007 and jumped right into tattooing. I’ve been at Smokin Guns for the entirety of my career. The shop itself has been around for 30 years, and I am honored to have been a part of it!

⸺ Who would you like to thank for your journey? My friends and mentors: Frank Thrasher, Big Al Fielder, Gator Gentry, David Strickland, Wayne Mosher, Liz Gruesome, Johnny Awesome, and so many more that I have had the honor to work with and learn from ⸺ Who/where do you get your inspiration from? Early on, the artists I looked up to were: Tom Renshaw, Marshall Bennett, Bob Tyrell, Josh Carlton, Paul Booth, and the list goes on. I’ve always been drawn to black and gray realism more than anything, but I also love to do color realism when I get the opportunity ⸺ What advice would you give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo? (A tattoo virgin) Make sure you feel comfortable in the environment. You will be intimidated, scared, nervous, etc. Try to relax and follow your artist’s directions. As an artist, I also believe it is our job to make the client feel as comfortable and at ease as possible ⸺ What would you say is your favorite part of the job? People that know me may not believe it…but the relationships that we build and knowing that we are a part of a person’s life forever. Also, the feeling of completing a fun tattoo and you’re proud of it, and your client loves it! ⸺ What do you think is in store for the future of tattooing? More amazing art and artists to be inspired by! ⸺ What is the most important advice you can give someone new to the art of tattooing? Don’t give up, no matter how many times you’re told “no.” ✕

From an early age, I have been expressing myself through art with areas of study in fine art when I realized my passion lies in tattooing. After years of working in street shops, I took the leap to start creating tattoos outside of the norm. I used my experience and honed my technique to break the mold of conventional tattooing. I no longer see it as tattooing but as accenting the human form and capturing emotion on the skin.

Who/where do you get your inspiration from? I get my inspiration primarily through art. I love abstract watercolor and grungy street art.

I’ve tried through the years to incorporate the feeling of movement and fluidity into my watercolor pieces and harsher grungy aspects into my trash polka, treating the body as if it is a canvas.

What advice would you give to someone about getting his or her first tattoo? (A tattoo virgin) Think, think, think. Research your artist and their portfolio. Get something that is true to you, and don’t ask all your friends and family what they think of the design. It’s your body at the end of the day, but don’t get a job killer for your first tattoo. Please, just don’t.

What would you say is your favorite part of the job? Connecting with my clients and creating something based on just a thought or emotion that they didn’t even know how to convey, and seeing how my tattoos can help them express themselves.

What was it that initially sparked your interest in tattooing? Having a background in art and being exposed