Brian is one of our resident tattoo artists in Eindhoven. For the first release of The Tattoo Closet, he designed “Plague Master,” a design that perfectly matches his style.

“I think tattooing and this merchandise go hand in hand. I think it’s fantastic that people can wear my work in a slightly less permanent way.”

The Story Behind the Design of Plague Master

We could talk at length or briefly about the design. In Brian’s case, it’s brief. “I usually just start and see where my pen takes me. The first step was sketching the shapes and seeing what came out of it. From there, I continued. I mostly knew that I wanted to create something big and square for this design. That’s it!”

Brian’s Style: Blackwork and Neo Traditional

He didn’t have a specific source of inspiration for the design. But this traditional image is, of course, a dark subject, making it perfect for a cool design. Recurring themes in Brian’s work are dark, sinister, and heavily influenced by death. Luckily, he’s a really kind and friendly guy.

From Chef to Tattoo Artist

Brian has always been creative. He’s been painting and drawing since he was a child. The idea of starting a career as a tattoo artist came to him while working in the hospitality industry. The idea was suggested by his sister, and that’s when things started to move forward. “At the time, I didn’t even have any tattoos myself, and I casually responded: I’m not going to become a tattoo artist. I’m not some rascal.” Back then, Brian was a chef in the kitchen and was getting tired of the long hours in hospitality. He decided to take a chance and sent in his portfolio. The following week, he started as an apprentice in a shop in Best.

“Maybe I am a bit of a rascal after all.”

Pre-order Brian’s shirt via the webshop. Want to see more of Brian? Check out his Instagram @blxckwork.brian or book a tattoo appointment through the booking form.