Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Krist.
Ben, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was always into art. I started getting tattooed at a very young age, most of which I did on myself. Growing up around people who were in and out of jail, I learned how to make a machine when I was 13 years old. That was when I started unofficially tattooing. When I was 16, my mom told me that, as long as I paid for the tattoo, she would sign for me at a shop. Once I got my first professional tattoo, I immediately stopped tattooing my friends.
I grew up skateboarding, had many sponsors, and decided around 18/19 years old that I never wanted a desk job. I started hanging out with an artist, and worked my way into my first apprenticeship, which I started at about 20 years old. After getting through my first apprenticeship, I realized I wanted to be better, and would need to move to a better shop. I ended up at a slightly better place, but still wasn’t learning much, and in around late 2008 maybe beginning of 2009 I was at my third shop, and another apprenticeship. Looking back, it was totally worth the move, as it helped me learn and progress more than both of my previous apprenticeships. I then worked there for about 5 years before briefly moving to North Carolina.
When I moved back, I started to work at Rick’s Tattoos in Arlington, Virginia. As the oldest tattoo shop in Virginia, Rick’s was a very fast paced walk-in shop. I worked there for about 10 years, getting to do all kinds of different tattoo styles and sizes. As a high volume shop, most days I did between 4-12 tattoos. After about a decade there, I got used to working fast and drawing on the spot, as well as free-handing my tattoos. As busy as it was, everyone grew so much from working there, and it was a great learning experience.
Being a Tattooer in Northern Virginia, and seeing all the work coming out of Marlowe Ink, I had always wanted to work there. James Marlowe, the original owner, had always hired top-tier artists, each one of them being next level. I had been offered a job before at Marlowe, but was stuck in my routine at Rick’s, and in the process of trying to open my own shop in my hometown (Woodbridge, Virginia). Eventually I decided I really wanted to be part of what Marlowe Ink represented, and took the job.
After I was about two years in, James decided to step back from tattooing, and the opportunity to buy the business was presented. I made the decision to buy the shop from James to continue to preserve the vision that he had. The shop is a special place, and has always represented the top level of tattooing in the area, as well as importance of quality of life for the artists. What made this so important to preserve is, not only is it a place for artists to grow, but to keep a level of traditional values, with modern customer service and respect. My goal is to continue creating a place for artist to grow in their art, and providing a comfortable atmosphere for clients.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been a smooth road hahah. For multiple years of my career, I worked 6-7 days a week, often 14+ hours a day. This affected everything in my life, including my personal relationships, health and ability to have any social life or hobbies outside of the shop.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I believe what sets me apart the most is my ability to freehand multiple styles. If I had to choose, I would say I like traditional the best, but I believe I am mostly known for floral work.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I like that it has a good balance of city and small town feel, as well as a close knit community. What I like the least would have to be the cost of living and traffic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Marlowe-ink.com
- Instagram: @benkrist
- Other: @marloweinktattoo
