Bryan Kienlen’s journey is a testament to lifelong artistic drive, seamlessly weaving together the worlds of music and tattoo artistry. For over three decades, his creative spirit has found expression in multiple forms, leading to a vibrant career in both realms. Like a surfer riding waves to the shore, Bryan has navigated the currents of artistic passion, culminating in his mastery of tattooing, a craft that, much like Beach Tattoos themselves, etches lasting impressions.
Kienlen’s foray into tattooing began in the late 1980s, coinciding with the rise of his band, The Bouncing Souls. Resourcefulness born of necessity led him and a friend, Ugly Bill, to construct their own tattoo machine. Driven by the desire for self-expression through body art, they embarked on a self-taught tattooing journey, inking themselves and fellow band members. While acknowledging the impropriety of this early approach by today’s standards, Kienlen emphasizes that their ingenuity was their only gateway to the tattoo world at the time.
As The Bouncing Souls’ touring schedule intensified, tattooing took a backseat. However, Kienlen’s artistic muscles remained engaged through designing the band’s visual identity. Album covers, countless t-shirt designs, and tour visuals became his canvas, alongside songwriting, further solidifying his creative versatility. After years of touring and creative output for the band, a period of relative calm allowed Kienlen to revisit his passion for tattooing.
Around 2010, he pursued formal training, apprenticing under Josh Kohn and Rich Cahill at Immortal Ink. This marked a pivotal shift, transitioning him from self-taught enthusiast to a professionally trained tattoo artist. He embraced the proper techniques and protocols, embarking on a new chapter as a dedicated tattooer. His commitment to growth led him to Neptune Tattoo, where he spent five years collaborating with talented artists like Patrick Dean and his team, further honing his skills and expanding his artistic horizons. Inspired by continually evolving influences, Bryan Kienlen is deeply invested in ongoing learning within the dynamic and ever-inspiring world of tattooing, ready to bring his unique artistic vision to life, whether it’s a complex sleeve or a simple, evocative beach tattoo.
